"The Timbuktu Tour"

[veloriders]

Roermond, The Netherlands, April 19th 2010 - After successful bicycle expeditions like "Paris-Dakar by Bike" ( 7.200 km ) and "The Andes Trail ( 11.000 km ) organises Bike-Dreams a new challenging bike race/expedition, called "The Timbuktu Tour". Everyone has heard about it, but where is it? Does Timbuktu exist or is it only a place in everyone’s imagination? And if it exists, how do you get there? Is it doable by bicycle?
All questions which can be answered by the participants of the first edition of "The Timbuktu Tour" after 4.500 km.

The expedition starts near Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Baobab trees and little thatched huts dominate the landscape in the first part of the tour. The African rhythm takes possession the cyclists. Pole, pole. No rush, no hurry. They will feel, smell, taste and experience Africa in all her aspects.
Whistling birds, local tribes with centuries old traditions, national parks with elephants, hippos and rhinos, mud brick mosques and amazing sunsets characterize the journey through West Africa. The green banks of the Senegal, Gambia and Niger River are alternated with the dry Sahel landscapes of Mali and Burkina Faso. An amazing variety of flora and fauna is coming back in the lush rainforest of Ghana, where the finish is drawn near the capital Accra.

"The Timbuktu Tour" takes just over 2 months. 15 days are planned to take a well deserved rest, to explore places of interest and for a three day transfer over the Niger River by ferry. The accommodation is a combination of campsites, temporary camps along the road and occasionally a comfortable hotel is waiting. Special designed trucks support the tour to transport all equipment.

The participants cover the distance within their own capabilities and in a pace they determine. This means that they can compete with the others and try to cover the distance as fast as possible, so that there is finally a winner at the shores of the Gulf of Guinea. Cyclists can also choose to take it easy and enjoy the beauty of the West Africa. The pioneers of the first edition encounter unexpected situations, but get also a lot of respect from the African people along route. This is Africa. It’s the deep heart of Africa.

"The Timbuktu Tour" is a cycling expedition to a mysterious place where most participants have never been before, over roads where most participants have never been before, and in conditions where most participants have never been before.

The costs for the full tour are 5.295 euro. Visit the website www.bike-dreams.com for detailed informa¬tion.

Note for the redaction :
Contact Wilbert Bonné for more information or high resolution photos.

Bike Dreams
Wilbert Bonné
Marktstraat 11
6041 EN Roermond
THE NETHERLANDS
Tel: + 31 (0) 475 - 311047
www.bike-dreams.com
wilbert@bike-dreams.com
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