The Timbuktu Challenge

Presentation Holland – 23rd March 2010

table of contentstable of contents

1. The concept

2. The route

3. Organisation

4. Ppreparation

5. What else to bring

6. Accommodation

7. Transport

8. Pricing

9. Conclusion

1. concept: Amsterdam to Timbuktu1. concept: Amsterdam to Timbuktu

A legendary motorcycle expedition

Maybe the reason why you bought this bike

7000 km through 3 African countries

3 weeks (6 till 28 November 2010)

30 travel/endurance motorbikes (BMW GS; KTM Adventure, etc.)

Only limited off-road experience required

1. concept: Amsterdam to Timbuktu1. concept: Amsterdam to Timbuktu

Key factors:

An unforgettable adventure

A mythical setting

Expedition / no race / team spirit / culture / adventure

An experienced organising team (logistics, technical, etc.)

Expedition but no torture

Training for the less experienced by Frans Verhoeven

2. The route2. The route

A trans-sahara expedition 2 departures: Amsterdam & Brussels Meeting point = Sète (south of France, 1266 or 1000 km)

30 hours to cross the Mediterranean Sea Tanger, Morocco: adventure starts there Mountains, coast, sahara & sahel Road type: mix of everything but doable for all

2. The route2. The route

Morocco

Western Sahara

Mauritania

Mali

2. The route2. The route

Morocco

2. The route2. The route

Western Sahara

2. The route2. The route

Mauritania

2. The route2. The route

Mali

3. Organising team3. Organising team

About 15 people

Gert, Brigitte, Frans, Cécile, Bert

Cooks, mechanics, logistics,

reccie-team, medic, media

Two trucks, four 4 x 4’s

Local agents, authorities &

security

4.1. Preparation - motorbike4.1. Preparation - motorbike

Fuel autonomy of 250 km minimum

Garmin GPS (latest list soon available on website)

Security equipment:

Satellite phone (can be rented via organisation)

2 fire flares, compass, emergency blanket

Emergency meal, drinking water (min 3 liters), small sleeping bag

Basic toolkit, tyre repair set (+ Leatherman)

Map of North/West-Africa (Michelin Map N° 741)

4.1. Preparation – motorbike – part 24.1. Preparation – motorbike – part 2Protections:

• Crash bars• Engine protector• Hand guards• Specific protection (type dependent)

Tyres: Preferably Conti TKC 80 allroad

Panniers:• No Panniers, maybe small luggage roll• Tankbag (when necessary)

Parts• Brake en clutch levers• Chainlink (when applicable) same brand and type!!• Iron wire• Duct tape• Ty wraps

4.1. Preparation – you!4.1. Preparation – you!

Timbuktu training weekend: 18/19 September 2010

On the agenda:

Course in navigation & gps

Course in first-aid

Course in bush mecanics

Technical checks of your motorbike

Evaluation of your driving skills + ½ day off-road course

Administration (medical / paperwork / visa applications)

5.1. What else to bring5.1. What else to bring

2 metal expedition boxes (Dakar size)

Transported by the organisation truck

Extra equipment to bring:

Tent / inflatable mattress / sleeping bag

Clothes / toiletries / medication

Plate, cup, cutlery

Spare parts if needed

Documents (cfr. next slide)

5.2. What else to bring5.2. What else to bring

Documents:

International passport

Drivers license

5 passport pictures

Vehicle ownership document

Vehicle insurance (incl Morocco)

Procuration (for Morocco)

Medication:

Headache tablets

Malaria tablets

MalaroneLariam Doxycycline)

Sun protection

Immodium - Motillium

6. Accommodation6. Accommodation

Based on bivouacs & hotels (60% - 40%)

Our bivoucs have:

Clean toilets

Camp showers

Better food than hotels

Camp fire

And so much more

7. Transport7. Transport

Ferry Sète (Fr) – Tanger (Morocco): on Sunday 7th Nov 2010 at 1PM. 30-36

hours of resting, partying, team building. (2 nights + 1 day)

To get home afterwards:

In Bamako: motor will be packed in specially prepared container (by us)

The containers will be transported overland by large trucks to the port of Dakar (Senegal)

From Dakar, the container will be shipped by Grimaldi to the port of Amsterdam

All participants will leave Bamako on the 28th November in the morning. At 10.30 AM you’ll be home in Amsterdam/Brussels.

8.1. Rental options – motorbikes8.1. Rental options – motorbikes

BMW R1200GS

Specifications:

Perfect state

1 year old

5000 km only

Technical assistance incl.

1750 € rental for 3 weeks

8.2. Rental options – 4x48.2. Rental options – 4x4

Jeep Wrangler

Specifications:

Perfect state

1 year old

Technical assistance included

2500 € per person rental for 3 weeks

9. Pricing9. Pricing

Prijs All-in: 4850€ (t.e.m. 30 april)

Participation fee to the expedition

36 hours crossing of the Mediterranean Sea

Accommodation (hotels & bivouacs)

Daily breakfast & 3-course dinners

Minimum 15 people assistance

Plane ticket from Bamako to Amsterdam/Brussels

Repatriation of motorbike to port of Rotterdam/Antwerp

Transport & availability of spare parts

Conclusion: we offer you …

• a once-in-a-lifetime adventure• for every level of experience• to mythical locations • with an experienced organisation team • for a very honest and relatively low price

Thank you & hope you join us