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News, Tips & Tricks
Welcome to the Paris-Dakar Challenge blog — part advice column, part therapy session. Here you’ll find behind-the-scenes stories, no-nonsense advice, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom that only comes from blood, sweat, and the occasional emotional breakdown in the world’s most remote and challenging places. Whether you’re already signed up or just quietly plotting, there’s plenty here to stoke the fire.
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Why the PDC might be your Ultimate Springboard for Solo Overlanding Adventures
Why the PDC might be your Ultimate Springboard for Solo Overlanding Adventures When riders reach the shores of West Africa at the end of the Paris Dakar Challenge (PDC), they’ve done more than just complete a demanding 4,000-mile overland ride. They’ve crossed...
Bike Focus: Why we chose the Honda CRF300 Rally
Why the Honda CRF300 Rally? Light, capable, and built for the challenge. One of the questions we get asked the most is this: “Why the CRF300 Rally? Isn’t that a bit small for a trip like this?” It’s a fair question. After all, the Paris Dakar Challenge covers over...
Solo riders – Thinking of Joining, But Don’t Want to Go It Alone?
Thinking of Joining the Paris Dakar Challenge — But Don’t Want to Go It Alone? If you’ve been looking at the Paris Dakar Challenge and wondering “but I don’t have anyone to sign up with” — you’re not alone. In fact, every single rider booked so far for the 2026 trip...
London to Cape Town – The Hard Way Down
London to Cape Town: The Hard Way Down The team behind the Paris Dakar Challenge also launched the first-ever commercial motorcycle expedition from London to Cape Town — a groundbreaking 4 month journey across the length of Africa. This wasn’t a tour or a cushy...
The Legendary Desert Crossing: Nouadhibou to Nouakchott
The Legendary Desert Crossing: Nouadhibou to Nouakchott There’s a moment on every Paris-Dakar Challenge when the mood shifts. You’ve ridden through Europe, crossed into Morocco, tackled mountain trails and tasted the first flavours of Africa. But then you reach the...
Tempted, But Nervous? You’re Not Alone.
Tempted, But Nervous? You’re Not Alone. 1. Age & Experience: There’s No Perfect Profile We’ve had riders in their 20s, 30s, 40s — and plenty in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. The question isn’t how old are you? It’s: Are you healthy and fit enough to ride a...
Is the PDC for me? Your no-nonsense checklist.
Should I Join? Your No-Nonsense Rider’s Checklist We’ve had a huge number of people say they’re interested in the Paris-Dakar Challenge… but also a fair few who are secretly wondering: “Am I experienced enough? Fit enough? Mad enough?” So here's a friendly but...
How to Train for the Paris-Dakar Challenge
How to Train for the PDC A Realistic Guide (No Gym Membership Required) If the thought of training for a ride to Dakar makes you feel like you need to be some kind of Ironman or ex-rally rider — relax. You don’t. This challenge is designed for real people. Riders with...
Which Bike? Big vs Small – The Honest Truth
Which Bike? Big vs Small – The Honest Truth One of the most common questions we get from riders signing up for the Paris-Dakar Challenge is this: “What bike should I bring?” And the honest answer? It depends. But this post will help you decide. Big Bikes: Comfortable...
When MCN took on the Paris Dakar Challenge
When MCN took on the Paris Dakar Challenge Back in 2008, Motorcycle News sent a writer to ride with us on the original Paris-Dakar Challenge. What followed was an unforgettable, sunburnt adventure. Here's what he had to say...Know someone who’d love this? Challenge...
First Stop Beyond the Sahara: Riding Into St. Louis, Senegal
First Stop Beyond the Sahara: Riding Into St. Louis, Senegal After nearly three weeks on the road, the miles blur together — desert tracks, mountain passes, remote border posts, and long stretches of tarmac slicing through silence. Then, suddenly, it changes. You...
Big Bikes – can they do it?
Big Bikes – can they do it? Short answer: Yes, absolutely. Plenty of riders have tackled the Paris-Dakar Challenge on big adventure bikes like the big BMW GSs, Honda Africa Twin, and Yamaha Ténéré — and many of them were off-road novices when they started. In some...
PDC – a lot more than just desert
PDC – a lot more than just desert When people think of the Paris-Dakar Challenge, their minds often jump straight to the Sahara — sand, sweat, and the occasional struggle. But the journey doesn’t start in the desert. It begins with the open roads of Europe, where the...
Am I up to the off-road stuff?
Am I up to the off-road stuff? You Don’t Have to Be an Off-Road Hero to Do This(But a bit of practice helps a lot.) We hear it a lot: “I’d love to do something like this, but I’m not an off-road rider.” Let’s clear that up right now — you don’t need to be. The...
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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.
