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Participants
Who is the tour aimed at ?
We like to combine the best of two worlds. On the one
hand a challenging bike journey in an attractive
environment and on the other hand to have the
opportunity to enjoy the beauty and cultural heritage of
fabulous countries.
The tour is aimed at individuals who want to challenge
themselves. It's definitely a challenge to cycle the
whole distance between Paris and Dakar. But the tour is also meant for the people who
like to travel by bicycle through a beautiful and
interesting countries. It is not a problem if you take a
seat some days in the supporting vans. If you like the
challenge or if you prefer more the journey, you
are both welcome in "Paris-Dakar".
Am I capable of doing this ?
If you are in good health, love adventure and enjoy
cycling, you are capable of completing Paris-Dakar. We
average 120 km per day and you can ride at your own
pace. You will be served lunch at the mid-point of each
day's ride, and our crew are always available to assist
you if you are having difficulties of any kind. On any
day when you don't feel up to biking, you can also catch
a ride on one of our support vehicles.
Before you start
Do I need visas ?
Most participants only need a visa for
Mauritania. You'll find detailed information in the
brochure.
What about insurance ?
You are responsible for obtaining health and travel
insurance, including emergency rescue appropriate for
Africa. Further information will be given in the
brochure. Individuals without proper insurance will not
be allowed to participate.
On the Tour
Where do cyclists stay and sleep ?
Suitable accommodation has been organised throughout the
tour. In Europe we stay at well equipped campsites. In
Africa campsites are in general much more basic. In Africa we will also make several times a
temporary camp along the road. Next to that you'll also stay 17
nights in a hotel, this includes the first night in
Paris and the
last night in Dakar.
At some campsites you have the possibility
to rent a bungalow or site caravan at own expense.
What will I eat ?
On biking days, our cook will prepare four meals. We
know how important food is on a trip like this. You will
be treated to generous portions of food that will be a
combination of regional recipes and meals made from
local ingredients as well as some of the cook's
specialties. We will also provide energy bars, clean
water and an energy boosting beverage.
Everyone is of course free to explore and sample the
culinary hot spots along the way. We believe eating the
local cuisine is part of the journey.
For those with dietary restrictions and/or ferocious
appetites, you need not be concerned. We take all this
in consideration when preparing your meals. You may go
to sleep exhausted, but never hungry.
Who will carry my equipment ?
Support vehicles will carry your personal items
including tent, sleeping bags, camping gear and spare
parts. In addition, support vehicles will also carry
such items as food, water, kitchen equipment and
emergency medical items. While riding, you only have to
carry some basic tools, a spare tube, water, and a
snack.
Security
Is it safe in Africa ?
Africa is maybe the world's friendliest
continent. A large majority of people are warm,
welcoming and very protective of foreigners. However
like everywhere else in the world, the possibility of
threat exists. As in any city you simply have to apply
common sense to avoid any potentially risky situations.
The political violence that one hears about rarely
targets foreigners. The biggest threat to the
participants here as everywhere else - is the
automobile.
Health
What about health ?
Undoubtedly health is a major concern on
an expedition of such length. You must therefore take
utmost protection to guarantee your well being
throughout the tour. You will need to be vaccinated
against diphtheria, hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and
possibly other diseases. You will need to bring along
prophylactics for malaria. We will provide drinking
water for your needs. It is important to note that the
likelihood of you coming down with any diseases is
minuscule. The most likely problems we will encounter
will be sunburn and diarrhea. Additional health
information will be sent in the brochure.
Climate
What kind of weather should I expect ?
The weather conditions in France can be unpredictable,
but most of the times it's quite comfortable in
September with temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees
Celsius (68-77 degrees Farhenheit). These temperatures we can also expect in Spain.
When we pass Andorra in the Pyrenees the temperatures
can drop dramatically at an altitude above 2400 meter.
The temperatures in Africa will increase up to and above
30 or even 40 degrees Celsius (above 86 or even 104
Fahrenheit) when we are heading more
south to Dakar. The temperatures in the Atlas-mountains
will definitely be lower at altitudes around 2000 meter.
You can also expect cold nights in the desert.
On a whole, we expect to have good weather for cycling.
Not too hot, and rarely too cool or wet; and in the end
it's all part of the adventure.
Road conditions
What is the terrain like ?
Paris-Dakar is all together 7200 kilometer which is
divided into 59 cycling days.
An average of around 120 kilometers. The first days out
of Paris will be reasonably flat. Parts in France we
follow relatively flat rivers and valleys, but you can
expect also some serious climbs. It will be definitely
climbing when we pass the Pyrenees via Andorra ( above
2400 meter ).
The course in Spain is rolling all the way. We don't
pass high passes, but it is mountainous everywhere. In
Morocco we will have some great mountainous stages in
the Middle and High-Atlas. After leaving the mountains
in Morocco behind, the stages are mostly flat all the
way to Dakar.
The road is paved all the way, except from a stretch of
60 km
in the south Mauritania, which is a good piste. The
tarmac is generally very good, which means that the tour
can be done with a bike with thin tires. Incidentally we
will have to take a rough road from the main road to reach
the entrance of the campsite. The distance of the rough
road will be not more than a few kilometers.
Bike
What kind of bike should I use ?
The bike is without doubt the most important part of
your equipment. The tour can be completed on any kind of
bicycle as long as it is entirely human powered. The
route between Paris and Dakar is paved for 99%, except
for a
stretch of 60 kilometer in southern Mauritania. This
section is good piste and will not be a problem for
bikes with thin tires in the dry season. Road bikes are
probably the most efficient way to cover the distance,
but hybrids, mountain bikes and trekking bikes might be
more comfortable and are also perfect to do the job.
Non-cyclist
I don't want to cycle, but can I still come
?
Yes, there is a limited room for number of places for
people who like to join Paris-Dakar, but not like to
cycle. You can take part in the organization around the
cyclists and join the other staff with their daily
activities like setting up campsites, providing the
meals, visit local markets, etcetera.
What to bring
What do I need to bring along ?
Detailed information will be sent in the brochure.
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