If I can’t find time to ride the whole 28 days journey to Timbuktu are there options?
Yes, you could ride the 9 day or 14 day option. 9 days means 4 and a half days out and the same back so you get deep into Morocco and you get to see The Dakar. 14 days gets you to the Mauritanian border and back to the start. Both options come with my guides escorting you back to the start. There your bike will be safely warehoused before being trucked back. All normal freighting insurances apply.

Is there a lot of off-road riding?
No. Much of the journey across Spain and Morocco is well surfaced with high quality asphalt ad excellently surfaced. The road in Mauritania could be brand new by the time we get there, but presently it is well surfaced for the most part and pot-holed further south. Ride carefully around the broken sections and you’ll be fine. There is more piste in Mali and some softer sandy sections on the way to Timbuktu. If you ride with some confidence you’ll get through without any problem and the distances are not great.

Do I have to be an experienced off-road rider to do this journey?
No. I have never ridden off-road. I know that the piste with it’s hard packed surface shouldn’t pose any problems. The secret is to ride as light as possible and we will be carrying your luggage anyway.

Will the unsurfaced route have much deep sand?
There is very little soft sand and as we are there in the dry season it should be much easier to cross.

What if I’ve never ridden in sand before?
A little practice before hand would be a good thing. I’ll be practising on the beach. There will be no dune crossings, that is definitely reserved for the Dakar riders.

What happens if I just can’t manage the sand?
If it just overwhelms you, we will ferry your bike across these sections by pick-up. If there is a way and you have the will, there is no question whatsoever of you not making it to Timbuktu!

What happens if I fall off?
You get up, brush yourself down and carry on. You’ll be surrounded by crew and support vehicles at all times plus all the riders. The best thing about a journey like this is the great camaraderie it will engender. We will all be helping each other through the hard times. Great friendships are forged out of such occasions.

What happens if my injuries are serious?
In all my tours we have only had one bad accident and even then he suffered nothing more than a broken thumb! It’s highly unlikely you’ll get hurt but if it does happen, all my motorcycle crew will have a good first aid kit, this will be more extensive in the support vehicles. We will make sure you are comfortable and will in the first instance take you to the nearest hospital. If your injuries are more serious we will implement the conditions on your mandatory medical insurance policy which includes an air-lift home. Don’t worry about your bike, we’ll look after that for you.

What happens if my bike is damaged?
We’ll try and fix it free of charge. There will be a first class mechanic on the project conversant with all types of bike. He will work on it overnight and try and get you going the next day. Failing that you may use the spare bike but this is subject to the conditions of the project which will be given to you when you sign up. If we simply can’t fix it, then we will try and find some repair shop on route where the damage can be assessed at the riders cost. Please bear in mind that this is unlikely and such damage rarely happens.

Will I get to see The Dakar Rally?
Absolutely. This is one of the major reasons for this trip. The longer you stay on it the more you will see. We think of this journey as being a British supporters contingent to cheer on our riders for having a go. Not only will you see them but we will arrange for you to meet some of the riders and Dakar organisation personally who one can assume will be delighted to have such interest shown for what is a world class event.

Will we able to camp near the riders?
We are in discussions with the Dakar organisation and hope to possible bivouac (camp) with them in their campsite. If for reasons of safety we can’t do this then we will camp a few hundred metres away. Either way, we will share the desert and socialise when we can. Remember, the riders will be exhausted and we must respect their free time.

Apart from the published price, are there any other costs?
Extra costs are kept to a minimum. You will need to purchase a return flight from the UK to Barcelona but if you book early enough this will be very inexpensive. The closer to the start that riders book, the greater the cost of the ticket. Breakfasts will be supplied as part of the costs but lunches and dinners are at the riders own cost. The usual bike running costs, mostly fuel and tyres will also be at the riders cost. Expect to use 1 set of tyres and about £500 worth of fuel.

What standards of accommodation are we to expect?
We will supply you with good quality hotels where possible. In Morocco, these will be individually selected inns used by Nick for many years and are excellent, friendly and safe, with safe bike parking. In the desert between towns and cities there are no hotels so we will create are own camp site. The estimate at the moment is that at least 50% of the accommodation will be in a minimum of 2 star hotels, better wherever possible. Part of the beauty of being in such a ruggedly wild place as Africa is the uncertainty. Plan as we might, things happen, booked hotels close down and new ones are built which we are able to take advantage of at the last minute. If we want to see ‘The Dakar’ then we will be in the desert and like them we will have to build our own campsite.

If we have to build our campsite, what does this mean?
We have the tents but every rider must be responsible for putting it up (this will take minutes) and taking it down in the morning. There will be soft mats to sleep on but each rider supplies his own sleeping bag. There will be a rudimentary water system for a brief shower. A campsite kitchen will be erected and good food will be served by our journey cook. A latrine will be dug further away in the desert. You will wash well, eat well and sleep safely.

What will it be like riding in Morocco?
Luxurious compared to further south so enjoy it. Hotels are good, food excellent and the people are hugely friendly.

What will it be like riding in Mauritania?
Harder than Morocco but the people are still friendly. Not many motorcyclists pass through here so expect curiosity without being hassled. The road will be hard piste for the most part, isolated, barren and very much the western quarter of the Sahara Desert.

What will it be like riding in Mali?
Malian people are said to be amongst the friendliest in Africa. Certainly it is an important democracy and home to many proud tribes such as the famous Tuaregs. The Dakar Rally doesn’t pass through these parts so you are the heroes now and crowds will greet you as you cross the line into Timbuktu.

Will we actually get to Timbuktu?
I’ve been to Africa several times and myself, along with my crew, have been around the world many times between us. Collectively we have more travel experience than any motorcycle touring outfit in the world and if we can’t get you there, then no one can. So the answer to this is, ‘if you put the effort in, we will get you there!’

Will there be anything we can take back to commemorate the ride?
Apart from souvenirs that you buy, which we can carry back for you, there will be a London – Tmbuktu finishers medal cast in bronze plus a parchment style certificate signed by the crew. This will be a beautiful endorsement of your journey to keep for the rest of your life.

Will this journey be filmed?
Yes and there will be a DVD on sale and launched at the Irish and Scottish Motorcycle Shows in March 2007. TV rights are presently being discussed and news about whether it will be broadcast will be issued as soon as we have any information.

Will there be a book about it?
Yes. We will be commissioning a resident photographer to travel with us with the idea of producing a coffee table book about the journey.

If I take the 9 or 14 day option do I have make my own way home?
No. As I said before, guides will accompany you back to the start.

How many riders do we need to make this event viable?
A minimum of 20 riders are required.

How does this journey differ from an ordinary tour?
An ordinary tour usually tells you what to do and what to think! I have known riders switch off from all responsibility when they go on tour and this is not unreasonable as they are on holiday. However, this is closer to an expedition than a tour. It’s tougher than a tour and at times you will be uncomfortable, arrive late into a hotel and the hot water has run out, because you are in Africa. You will need to be alert at all times. A simple mistake might mean you going home early. This is unlikely however. In 7 years of leading riders around the world, no one has had to go home early through any fault of their own.

PRE-JOURNEY INFORMATION

What bike spares do I need to bring?
This will be posted on the site nearer the time. Once we have an idea of what bikes are being used by riders we will have a clearer idea. The reassuring thing about modern motorcycles is that they rarely break down and we don’t anticipate having to deal with something we can’t fix.

Who will carry my spares?
We will in one of the support vehicles.

What sort of personal equipment will I need to bring?
Again, a proper evaluation of needs will be discussed nearer the start but in the first instance you will need simple toiletries, one change of lightweight clothes, a pullover for the desert as it gets cold once the sun sets. Winter riding gear is necessary for Spain and Morocco as we will be crossing the Atlas Mountains twice. Plus of course you can bring a camera, video camera and so on.

Do I need maps, compasses?
GPS is always a good idea, otherwise we will supply you with your maps.

Will I get lost?
Not if you stay with the pack on the main road / piste. There will be strict measures enforced to make sure procedures are in place to counter this happening in the first place.

Who organises visas and other paperwork?
We have secured the services of a visa collection agency acting on the project’s behalf, these fees are paid for by us and are included in your fee.

Will I need a carnet for my bike?
Yes and this is something you will have to organise yourself in conjunction with the RAC. A carnet is like a passport for the vehicle. It also indemnifies you against import duty charges and is a legal requirement. It is not a difficult process but once applied for takes several weeks so last minute applicants will be difficult to process. Please bear this in mind when thinking about applying. Only under special circumstances and in agreement with the RAC can you apply to join London – Timbuktu after October.

ON ROUTE INFORMATION

What support will there be on the journey?
Depending on the number of riders that apply, there will be a total of three support vehicles, a total of 10 crew including 4 motorcycle guides. We are looking at a support vehicle with 2 crew and 1 motorcycle guide per 12 riders.

What will the weather be like?
Cold in Spain, much warmer in Morocco and warmer again as we ride south. The Sahara Desert is at it’s coolest in the winter, very cold at night but beautifully warm to hot, maybe as high as 30 degrees centigrade and more. There will be a low risk of rain in Mauritania and Mali. 80% of the journey will be dry and bright.