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Check out my West Africa photos and video! (To the left of this text)

4 Countries, 3000 miles, 40°C, 2.5 weeks - adventure complete... but no Timbuktu!

Sadly, as I suspected, the security situation and FCO advice prevented me from reaching Timbuktu, nevertheless, I had a fantastic experience, some of which is captured in the attached photos and video.

Thanks again for your support to Riders for Health. Riders have certainly appreciated your donations - they recently sent me a letter thanking you all for your sponsorship. With GiftAid, Riders has received almost £1000.

Thanks,

Shane.



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On 18 February 2010 I set off on a 3000 mile motorcycle adventure... Setting of from Banjul in Gambia, I will be going north into Senegal, then west into Mali, attempting to reach Timbuktu. The return leg takes me through Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal finishing where I started two and a half weeks later.

You might be asking yourself, what the hell possessed me to do a motorcycle trip to Timbuktu? Well, 'who knows' is part of the answer - I tend to read about these sorts of things (and I've seen the TV shows) and get very tempted to do it for myself. I like to travel, I like bikes, so why not combine the two? So instead of dreaming, I've gone and done it.

It's not an all-together stupid idea. I'm not going it alone and blindly jumping on a bike to cross 3,000 miles of West Africa. No, I'm going with an organised tour; a company who have just taken 20 people, 25,000 miles around the world - so I should be in safe hands. Sadly I won't be riding my own bike, the BMW R1200GS. I will be using a Yamaha XT660 Teneres, provided as part of the package from the tour company.

Unlike some other types of 'Enduro' tours, I won't be using your generous donations to pay for elements of the trip. No - every penny you give will go to Riders for Health, a charity that is making sure millions of people across Africa receive regular, reliable healthcare, some of which is delivered by motorcycle.

I'm not usually the charitable, fund-raiser type... I think the last time I did something for charity was a sponsored fast at school, but I seem to recall I allowed myself to eat 'crackers' as they didn't really count as proper food! This time, I hope that because I'm doing something a bit different it might warrant a few quid to charity?

I'm not sure whether I will make it as far North as the ultimate destination of Timbuktu (given some 'terrorist' activity) but it's more about the journey than the destination... To see the proposed route, have a nosey here.

Thanks in anticipation of your support.
Shane.
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Good luck mate and take care out there. I'll come with you next time!! Donation by Andy Dunne on 18/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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enjoy sleeping under the stars with your sweaty biker pals.... Donation by benji on 17/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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Good luck and enjoy your exciting venture. Vera Donation by Vera McBride on 13/01/10

 
£10.00
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you should travel on a Harley Bike Donation by james harley on 12/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Shane, keep it cool. Donation by alexander brown on 11/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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Our love and best wishes, Shane, for what sounds like a wonderful trip for a great cause. Donation by Sean & Margaret on 11/01/10

 
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid
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Chalk this one up to your Dad - All the best with the trip Donation by Willie on 11/01/10

 
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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Good Luck, Shane. Have a super trip. Donation by Brian Reid, Wine Buff on 11/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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Good luck Shane! Your dad certainly knows how to get us to sponsor you! Donation by Anne Sands on 11/01/10

 
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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Mum & Dad wish you a safe and exciting adventure and hope you beat your target. P.S. Remember the sun cream! Donation by Paddy & Maureen on 11/01/10

 
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
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Shanie, consider this your late Christmas present!!! Good luck and safe journey.xx Much loveness Donation by Ita McGowan on 09/01/10

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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Good luck matey - sounds like a fantastic challenge! Don't forget the 'crackers'!!! Donation by Gary Burns on 23/12/09

 
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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good luck shane - dont forget your toothbrush and clean underwear!! - all the best bud Donation by EUNAN KEAKEY on 22/12/09

 
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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Just to confirm that I do actually give money to charity instead of sending Christmas Cards!! Donation by Shane McGowan on 18/12/09

 
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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