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Post Info TOPIC: Algerian sahara


Super Guru

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Algerian sahara
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Not sure if this should be in the ride report section rather than here as it was more a sportif-tour than overland expedition, but it's quieter here and hell, 1000 miles of desert riding in 11 days oughta qualify?

8 Brits, 2 Swiss and 3 Germans with a German support truck went for a play in the Algerian sahara...

2 TTR325s, an XR250, 3 KTM 690s, a KTM350exc, 2 BMW X-thingys, a Husaberg,  a CRF250L, an XR400 and a 2-smoke Husky 300.

1 broken clutch cable (German BMW), 1 broken 1st metatarsal (German foot) and 1 destroyed German knee (both AC ligaments). No deaths or kidnaps, despite dire warnings from friends and family.

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TTRs in their element.

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Rookie sand rider, but I didn't come off once smile

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On the edge of the Fadnoun Plateau, south of Illizi.

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There's nothing like the euphoria you get from hooning across the desert flat-out with your mates!

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Happy boysmile

 

 



-- Edited by mossproof on Friday 9th of February 2018 08:30:51 PM

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Super Guru

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For the tech-minded, I was running Tubeliss system wheels with a nice fat Mitas 644 Army Special up front and a Mitas E09 on the rear which, being a skinny fella on a light unloaded bike I was able to run at 0, yes zero, psi in the sand which made for great dune running. About 10psi up front. Reinflating for the occasional bits of roadwork or stonier pistes.

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What bit of desert scenery can't be improved by the addition of a dusty TTR?

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It wasn't just riding though. We did culture too! Rock engraving and cave art between 2 and 8 thousand years old (estimated, obvs!)

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Piste to Tamanrasset, and thence to Niger, closed to tourists, but we got within about 40km of the Libyan border line.

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Trip of a lifetime.

Ride safe everyone, and if you get the chance, play in the sandsmile

Simon.

 

 

 



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Great report and pictures. That certainly was desert. Memories which will live with you forever. Sure beats a few green lanes.

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That looks like an awesome trip, but i have to say you are a gamer man than me. Love that last photo.

1000 miles, 1600 km, that a good ride.    I've done a couple of 600 km weekend trips through sand and whilst great fun but ended up fairly stuffed.

Good test of all the bikes, any maintenance required on the TTR's. The 325 kits are oviously holding up??
Did you do an oil change or anything.
The 350 KTM would nearly be up for a fresh topend !!

AS you said Trip of a lifetime    smile



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Good one, well done

Terry

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Wow - what an adventure Simon!

Great photos and thanks for sharing biggrin

Brian



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Sounds like you are having a good time, not to many dramas, thanks for sharing.



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That looks incredible fun Simon!

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Thanks

Daniel Lee



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Thanks for that, cheered up a drab cold Hampshire day.

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With gpx tracks to follow, in two groups of riders, it was fairly easy to spread out and keep out of one another's dust. 1 change of air filter half way through was deemed necessary, and only one of us changed oil at the half way hotel stay in Djanet. I used Wurth dry chain lube every other day, but most people left well alone to escape the teutonic frown of the support guy. I just ignored him - I have issues with authority No other maintenance except nightly level checks and general lookover. I had a loose chainguide bolt one day. Not what you'd call earth shattering unreliability.
The 350 katoom behaved, but one of the 690s was sounding a bit "rockershafty" towards the end. It's owner was in denial.
The 325s both worked really well. Just wish I'd a 350 ready to test...
I was suprised how well I took to the sand. Having a light unladen bike helps of course, but I found that despite the general consensus, you don't have to lean back too much, just stand as neutrally as possible and keep the power on. Weight on the left peg to go left, right peg to go right. I had a sore neck the first day (whiplash) from sitting too much and my head wobbling about. After that I stood most of the time, and with nice high bars fitted, had no further aches or tiredness. Revalation!

I think there's youtubeage of one of Wuestenfahrer's trips somewhere, I'll try and find it...

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Totally awesome man that's a bucket list trip for sure. Great to have a sag wagon, way more fun without the big tank and gear on the bike.

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Just back from fetching our bikes home from the near-Munich base of Wuestenfahrer tours. Chris Scott, who was the instigator (but not the organizer) of the trip is currently writing a much more detailed report over on Advrider

advrider.com/index.php

When/if you read it, I'd just like to point out in the interests of fairness that 2 Stroke Tony barely put out a puff of smoke all trip, but you wouldn't want to follow the XR4 for long!

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Brilliant!...well done

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Simon,Just reread Chris Scotts report...what an adventure!...the photographs are beautiful!
You have some brilliant everlasting memories there!


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  Europe & Turkey for under £900.00! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yTtFPM7Xc



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Just read it too and realized I have ridden several times with Dan and Dave, small world!

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Herman wrote:

Just read it too and realized I have ridden several times with Dan and Dave, small world!


 Bumped into them today at Bahnstormer and had a chat, nice folks living the dream. 



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I 've read this trip report several times and each time I am more impressed with the scope of the whole project.   Once in a lifttime trip.............I AM IMPRESSED  AGAIN.

JUST AN OUTSTANDING ADVENTURE RIDE !!!!!!!



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Incredible!

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Feels like a lifetime ago already!
Sadly Dan and Dave had their KTMs pinched from a hotel car park in Buxton. Thieving scum should be shot. Travel into the cradle of Isil kidnap territory and come away with everything in tact. Head into the north of England and have some b*st*rd spoil your day. Makes me ashamed of my country
Once in a lifetime trip...
I hope not!

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Stunning scenery and great photos! I wish I could get to travel to those places.

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Planning to use set XD wheels for my next trip. Hoping it's worthwhile.



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mossproof wrote:

Feels like a lifetime ago already!
Sadly Dan and Dave had their KTMs pinched from a hotel car park in Buxton. Thieving scum should be shot. Travel into the cradle of Isil kidnap territory and come away with everything in tact. Head into the north of England and have some b*st*rd spoil your day. Makes me ashamed of my country
Once in a lifetime trip...
I hope not!


 Thats crap news those bikes must of meant a hell of a lot to them. no



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Where are your nearest dunes Wayne? Is Baja a good playground? If you need some inspiration look up Austin Vince, Mondo Sahara, Terra Circa and Mondo Enduro - all low budget adventures. For me, I would love to get my bike to the 'States... Never say never, if you're determined enough, the world's your oyster

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This post has been an inspiration to me.
I am a newbie off roader, although several yrs ago had a fantastic holiday mountain biking in Morocco with my then pregnant wife who coped better with the terrain and the birth than I did! My daughter was 14 yesterday!
Fast forward to now, I have bought a TTR250 from diggermanbob of this forum with the intent of doing a bit of desert again, but under power, having researched Chris Scott's experience and Lois Pryce/Austin Vince books etc.
I can't do Chris's Morocco (or any riding) this year due to pesky health issues (I am only fekkin fifty fekkin five FFS!), perhaps next year...

Many years ago I visited Utah/Nevada/Arizona, and would love to ride there. Despite coming from the west of Scotland, I felt totally at home there- probably due to all those 50s/60s cowboy movies that were a staple on a weekend when growing up. Dramatic yet familiar.

Great post, many thanks,
Sandy


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