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 motorbike every day for 3 weeks?
• Are you comfortable riding on tarmac and confident on your bike?
• Are you willing to learn, to prepare properly, and to embrace the challenge?

If the answer is yes, you’re good.

Over 60 and thinking “I might be too old for this”?
Absolutely not — if anything, you’re likely to bring experience, patience, and perspective that younger riders will benefit from. Age is not a barrier. We’d love to have you on the trip.

New to off-road or long-distance travel?
That’s fine too. Most people haven’t done something like this before. You’ll need to prepare — but you don’t need a passport full of stamps or years of trail-riding behind you.

2. What Will the Other Riders Be Like?

You might be picturing a gang of Dakar veterans on £25k bikes, swapping rally stories and bench-racing at the bivouac. Reality check: this trip attracts a brilliantly mixed bunch. Here’s what the crew will probably look like:

• Some have done big trips before — others haven’t even ridden outside the UK.
• Some are builders, office workers, ex-service, teachers, mechanics, engineers, paramedics, or retired.
• Some have done lots of off-roading — others are just starting now.

What unites everyone is simple: A willingness to take on a big adventure with a good attitude and zero ego. And yes — there’ll be someone slower than you. Someone faster too. That’s not the point. This isn’t a race. It’s a shared journey.

3. Who This Trip is Really For

You might think this kind of trip is only for riders with decades of experience. But the truth is, some of our favourite riders — the ones who’ve had the biggest smiles and made the best memories — were the ones doing something like this for the first time.

Why? Because for them, this isn’t just another stamp in the passport. It’s not “just another tour.” It’s the big one.

We love having a mix. Experienced riders help create confidence and structure. But first-timers bring something just as important: a raw sense of “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” That energy is what makes the PDC feel like an adventure, not a package tour.

4. A Quick Reality Check

Let’s be honest. This isn’t a cushy road tour around Provence. The Paris-Dakar Challenge is a 3-week, cross-continent ride through seven countries, down into West Africa. You’ll deal with:

• Long days in the saddle
• High temperatures
• Some tricky terrain in Morocco and Mauritania
• Border crossings
• Cultural shifts
• Gravel, sand, dust, fatigue — and probably a few sore muscles

This is not the place to learn to ride a motorcycle. It’s also not a good idea to try off-road for the first time on the trip.

You’ll need to be:

• Confident on-road — overtaking, braking, low-speed control.
• Prepared for different traffic styles (especially in African towns).
• Comfortable standing on the pegs and riding over uneven surfaces.

If you’re not quite there yet — don’t worry. You’ve got time. The trip leaves in March 2026. Use the next few months to:

• Take a beginner off-road course (even one day will help).
• Go green laning with a mate
• Ride in different conditions (wet, windy, hot, long days).

You don’t need to become an enduro pro — but you do need to make an effort to prepare.

5. What If Something Goes Wrong?

We’ve got you covered.

• There’s a support vehicle with tools, spares and mechanical help.
• You’ll never be left behind.
• We work as a team — not in isolation.

You will have to:

• Carry some basic kit (tube, levers, pump).
• Do daily maintenance checks on your bike (if you don’t know how, we’ll show you).
• Deal with a bit of heat, hunger, dust, and delay. That’s part of it.

This is adventure travel — not luxury touring. But that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

6. So… Should You Join?

If you’re fit, up for a challenge, and willing to put in the prep — then yes. We’re not looking for rally champions. We’re looking for people with a spark. People who want to do something that feels big, bold, and real.

If you’re nervous? That’s good. Nervous means you care. Nervous means this isn’t just a throwaway holiday. And trust us — when you roll into Dakar with 20 other bikes, covered in dust and grinning like an idiot… You’ll be glad you said yes.

Still have questions?

Check out the FAQ or drop us a message — we’re happy to talk it through.