Dolly Parton
 
I had been toying with the idea of adventure motorcycling for some time as I'd already experienced most aspects of the biking world. This was one experience that was yet to be explored (pardon the pun)
 
With that in mind, I decided to sign up for the “Journey to the Edge of the Sahara” trip with Nick Sanders. I had never watched or read any of Nicks work, however, I had crossed his path as many others in the bike show. After booking on-line there was no turning back…
 
So, with my bike shipped off, I took a leisurely flight to Gibraltar (I now know why the Spanish are not that bothered about taking it back! I often wondered were the cowboy builders ended up) to start the trip in Spain, the group met up in Algerciras.
 
We set off the next day on a ferry over to Ceuta, then on to Morocco. At border control it was a case of parking up and waiting, Nick came over and in his laid back manor and said the visa checks were proceeding well, however two of the group were under arrest, I thought he was joking; he was not, apparently the border control were somewhat camera shy! (they were let off with a warning much to our amusement)
 
A few hours later were through and changing money, when a group member approached Nick anxious that his bike was pointing the wrong way, and was concerned on how he was going to get it in the right direction! I looked in to Nicks face, etched on it, is man who has experienced nearly every conceivable travel predicament . . . I had the feeling that Nick was in a position to sort this one out.
After getting all the bikes in the same direction, it went on from one adventure to the next, on what turned in to a amazing two-week experience.
 
Riding to the Sahara, following the famous Timbuktu route until the road ran out, turning round at the sand (maybe for another day!). The greatest biking experience of my life.
 
Being new to adventure travel, what bike did I take? Prior to the trip I was undecided and, in my naivety, went for the safe bet
a GS1200 Adventure. There are so many plaudits on the merits of the bike, it seemed a great choice. However, laden with panniers and a girlfriend I was soon to find out the darker side of this bike!
 
To say its slightly top heavy is an understatement, I’m convinced there is a BMW GS designer with an unhealthy obsession with Dolly Parton, I’m sure his space is adorned wall to wall with her picture. I was warned beforehand about the weight, but like
a new girlfriend, you just hope she not as heavy as she looks. Get her going and she's putty in your hand, try and stop her with full panniers (another lesson!) and a bubbly girlfriend it's Russian roulette.
 
To keep her will need a gym membership and dodgy steroids to bulk up my 5'9" frame . . . I don't think so!
 
The trip was a life changing experience, the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, Nick and his team did a fantastic job, so much so I’m now booked on the Pan American Trip.
Sadly Dolly Parton will have to go, I’m now looking for more of a Cheryl Cole, light and easy on the eye…
 
Caz and Michelle