Nouadhibou to Atar crossing - anyone in?
 

I am thinking about crossing from Nouadhibou to Atar via the railway track in 2 or 3 days time. If anyone is around and wants to do it let me know.

If not, is there any reason why this route would not be possible solo?

I am alone on a KTM 1190, I will try to throw a few 5L jerries on the back of the bike to get the fuel capacity close to double before I leave. Other than fuel, water, food and tyre repair, I should be good to go yeah?

Well if you survive let us know how it went :rofl:

Last time I took the train to Choum rather than risk riding it solo on a somewhat dodgy bike. It's been on my to-do list for quite some time though and as I may be down that way next winter I'd be interested in as much info as I can get.

Yeah not to keen to risk my life but f@%# it why not, I'll let you know in a few days. I only have 23L of fuel on my 1190, but with a 5L jerry and a couple of 5L water bottles used for fuel, should give me 520km range to make it to Atar.

Hey - good luck and have fun! If you're worried about fuel, there's a few villages out there that will no doubt be able to supply you with top ups. Just take it easy with the sandy bits! Getting onto the piste in the first place is a sandy pain, but there's a track that turns off the road maybe 10km South of Boulenouar and heads NNE to join the piste that looks the best bet - it's on open street map...

Enjoy!

Hey, was that the route you took? the track 10km South of Bon Lanuar?

I really want to avoid sand as my bike will really struggle. Is that track full of sand, or I read on Sahara overland that you can ride on the train track from Bon Lanuar where there is no sand?

Hey, no, I made my own way through the terrain from Boulenouar - it's very sandy in the village. That track seems better and I joined it somewhere near where it reaches the tracks. Around the tracks in the village there are loads of cables across the ground, and I'd be wary of punctures on the tracks there as a lot of work is going on. A guy tried to direct me towards that track, but I was being stubborn at the time :)

I'm really in two minds about doing this alone. How bad is the sand? is it pretty flat, or is it literally dunes? is most of the piste just dirt/gravel? If it is deep sand I don't think I'd risk it, but if it is pretty much dirt I'd probably do it

Its really mostly easy piste, but there are sections of dunes. The railway is always an option to get through...I don't think you'd regret going for it. If you want decent local information - there's a nice local guy in Atar who has guided the route for a few people (or more)...bike + 4x4...if you have a local SIM, he'll talk to you - his spoken English is good!

OK, so for your reference, and anyone else who is interested in a local guide or just information - Alioune was very helpful and a nice guy to have around when I was in Atar, and he's done the Railway route more times than I have ;)

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