Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
Riding the South America Dakar Rally route Riding the South America Dakar Rally route
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 May 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: kuala lumpur, Malaysia
Posts: 138
Riding the South America Dakar Rally route
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone out there have done riding the South America Dakar Rally (Argentina, Chile and Bolivia) route outside the Dakar season? This is in no way participate in the competition but just tracking the Dakar route with a group of riders unassisted.
Appreciate any advice or contact point for me to start planning.

Amzah

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Jun 2015
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
I'm also interested in this, as the route across Argentina in the first few rounds looked fantastic and not too technical at all. Just hard packed gravel with some fantastic scenery.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Jul 2015
charapashanperu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Huanuco, Peru, SA
Posts: 671
Believe me, you NEED support!! Don't try this alone, or even with one other person!! You need a team of riders and you ALL need to be in TOP shape, no matter how fast or slow you go! We are talking about EXTREME and/or DANGEROUS camping, as at the most you will do 1/2 of the kms per day that the Dakar does... and that leaves you out in the middle of a desert or some valley where there is not even water, much less gas! You might even have to endure 15,000 ft overnight!

Rally bikes can go 250 kms on a tank and they have AT LEAST one refill (provided by ASO, sometimes must be flown in by helicopter!) per day.

I know... I live in Peru and do extreme moto tours, even a FOLLOW THE DAKAR tour. adventure motorcycle tours in Peru and all South America - Follow the Dakar 2016 Even with support, it is difficult to get into the deserts and valleys, high passes, etc that the Dakar transits thru!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Jul 2015
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
No you don't (not in my opinion anyway), at least not for the majority of routes. People have ridden then before the Dakar and people will do afterwards. Hell, in Africa the locals ride old routes all the time on mobylettes.

If you're not going at the speeds they are going at, not on the time frames they are going at, and are sensible there is no reason you can't ride a good number of Dakar trails.

15,000 feet overnight,well anyone who has ridden south west Bolivia has done that. Being in the desert with nothing around, well anyone who's done some Sahara routes has done that. Fesh fesh, dunes, rocky terrain, it's all been done.

As for fuel, well plenty of ADV riders carry 500km worth.

I'm not saying there aren't risks or that it's not difficult, but a huge percentage of it can be done.
Last edited by c-m; 27 Jul 2015 at 22:16.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Aug 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
Dakar
Hello Amzah
Five of us followed the Dakar a couple of years ago - by far the best trip we have ever completed.

Because we chose to actually view the race it was impossible to do the same route as them plus not sure our KLR 650's (hired in Argentina) would have been able to cope with a lot of the sections the competitors travelled on.

Nonetheless I believe you can get a real taste for the Dakar and with careful planning, can do it on your own.

Pleas let me know if you would like any more information.

JP
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Aug 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Geneva
Posts: 198
Long distance traveling in remote areas need some serious thinking and proper planning, including looking at fuel options, water and food supplies, and the like. With a two-way satellite communication device for safety (just in case) I think it can be done, but not advisable doing it with a group of less than 3 riders. Everything is fine until it goes wrong, but hey, isn't it what the true spirit of adventure riding is all about?

What I'd like to know if how to get hold of the itinerary, knowing a great part of the Dakar rally raid is also made of thousands of kilometers of liaison roads and not just hard core stuff. Riding the latter is what would be of interest to me. This is definitely something a ride I'd like to do, with or without support.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
Dakar
On our 2014 trip the 'rough map' of the route was on the Dakar website about 6 months before the race.

Most of the specific details of each of the legs was only announced a day or two before it took place.

Too be honest, you get to see more of the Dakar on TV than following it live but that's not really the point I guess!

JP
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Aug 2015
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pollaers View Post

Too be honest, you get to see more of the Dakar on TV than following it live but that's not really the point I guess!

JP
I don't know why people keep talking about following the Dakar. The OP clearly stated he was interesting in riding the routes outside of the period when the Dakar is in town.

Some routes from the 2014 and 2015 Dakars must be known by some. A lot of it, just like in Africa used pre-existing trails.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
To the OP:

It depends how much is off-road? I mean, like really off-road. The only maps I can pull up of the Dakar are not detailed enough for me to see.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Turkey by Moto 2013 EMBEE Ride Tales 3 22 Apr 2014 14:44
Africa vs South America?? 4-5 month trip... Sideoff Route Planning 23 21 Aug 2012 19:41
Winter in South America 2012-2013 nanagosa4 Travellers Seeking Travellers 22 4 Aug 2012 14:26
Dakar to Nairby - best route? Wheelie sub-Saharan Africa 0 17 Nov 2011 13:39

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:25.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top