About Us
Who are we?
Welcome to the Paris Dakar Challenge – here’s a little bit about the key person behind the adventure. My name is Lee Mears and in 2005 I founded a company running fully supported overland motorcycle expeditions across Africa and beyond. Before launching my first trips, I served as an officer in the British Army — an experience that taught me the value of planning, calmness under pressure, and doing things properly. Those experiences, including time as a bomb disposal operator, shaped the way I approach logistics, risk, and leadership on every trip I run.
It started with a few bold ideas and grew into many successful group trips, including expeditions from London to Cape Town, regular Trans-Sahara trips, and even a full Round-The-World journey with 28 riders from London to New York in 2009. You can see some of the old blogs from those amazing trips on this website using the links in the menu.
My favourite trip during that time was always the Paris-Dakar Challenge — a fun, wild, and incredibly rewarding ride through Europe and West Africa. For many who joined, it was the adventure of a lifetime.
In 2010, I stepped away from running expeditions and sold the business in order to pursue other ventures. The company changed hands and unfortunately eventually shut down under the new owners, but the spirit of those original trips — and the pride we took in doing them properly — stayed with me as I went on to do other things.
Angola (Trans Africa 2007)
Bringing the Challenge back!
This isn’t just another trip — it’s a return to the one that I really loved doing. Running the original Paris-Dakar Challenge was never just work; it was a way to combine adventure and purpose into something truly meaningful. After years away, I’ve felt the pull to do it again — to bring back a journey that tested people, challenged them, brought them back to life and left them with stories they’ll carry forever. Same journey, same ethos – but refined and improved. The Challenge is back!
Experience
I’ve done this many times before:
✅ Trans-Africa Expeditions (London to Cape Town)
✅ Round the World Expeditions (London to New York)
✅ Mongolia Challenge (London to Ulaanbaator)
✅ Timbuktu Expedition
✅ Multiple Paris Dakar Challenges
…I have many thousands of miles leading riders across some of the world’s toughest and most rewarding terrain. Our trips are built from experience, planning, and a deep understanding of how to make truly special adventures out there on the road.
Day 1 – Round the World 2009
The Team
Every expedition is run by a highly experienced team. We employ not only enthusiasts, but professionals. That means that the person who is leading your expedition will be highly experienced, the person working on your bike will be a professional mechanic and our medics are qualified to do their job to a high standard. Quite simply, we can draw upon an in-depth knowledge of vehicle-based African and global travel. We know how to get the job done calmly, professionally, and with good humour — whatever happens along the way.
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QUESTIONS?
Embark on the ride of a lifetime with the Paris Dakar Challenge. Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to off-road biking, don't let doubts hold you back; our team is here to answer all your questions and support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how you can join this unforgettable adventure.
