M A U R I T A N I EL'AVENTURE EN LIBERTÉ

You will be treated to landscapes of great diversity, from the tabular mountains of the Adrar to the vast expanses of the Mauritanian Empty Quarter, passing th…You will be treated to landscapes of great diversity, from the tabular mountains of the Adrar to the vast expanses of the Mauritanian Empty Quarter, passing through stunning canyons where crocodiles still survive — true living fossils from the humid period.

I know Mauritania intimately, having been traveling across it for years — by 2cv, by bicycle, and on foot. I notably wrote a book dedicated to the country, detailing several thousand kilometres of tracks and off-road routes, with precise GPS recordings. Over the years, I have also developed a strong network of contacts across the various regions of the territory.

THE TRACE NOMADE IN A FEW WORDS :

_ Designed for fat bikes (80% sand),

_ A loop of approximately 1,118 miles starting from Atar,

_ Terrain breakdown: 0.5% tarmac roads, 45% off-road, with the remainder split between well-defined tracks and faint 4x4 traces of varying visibility,

Autonomy, a key factor :

_ It will be impossible to find any spare parts to repair your bike : you will

need to be completely self-sufficient. At the halfway point, a bag containing

your equipment can be dropped off by the organisation.

TRACE NOMADE

The Trace Nomade is an extraordinary long-distance ultra-cycling project, covering a distance of 1,118 miles — an unprecedented adventure at the heart of the Sahara.

The event will take place in Mauritania, on a loop route starting from Atar, the capital of the Adrar tourist region.

Click the image to view the video

As part of the development of this ultra event, I'm seeking a female "organiser" to co-create and lead the project. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of the ultracycling world — whether as an athlete (amateur or professional), or as a former rider who has maintained active connections within the community.

She should also be able to take part in on-site reconnaissance and validate the route by bicycle.

This ultra in the heart of the Sahara follows the spirit of the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000 : navigation, off-trail riding, and complete isolation.

However, it stands apart with greater accessibility: a more rideable course (minimal pushing), milder temperatures (5°C at night and 35°C during the day), and an entry process with no requirement for a racing résumé (it’s up to you to be honest with yourself).

_ Two major sections of absolute off-road with no GPX track, requiring full navigation. The first spanning 75 miles and the second 236 miles. Only an entry point and an exit point will be provided. Two 100% sand sections with dune crossings, either direct or by going around (always possible but longer). It will be up to you to anticipate the best passages through these dune ridges to save time.

_ A 559 miles section with no villages or oases (a single organisation resupply point at the midway mark),

_ You will need to be self-sufficient in water; the location of wells will be provided (take Micropur, even though well water, drawn from the water table, is naturally filtered through geological layers),

_ Participants who manage their water consumption efficiently will be able to skip detours to certain wells and gain valuable time.

If you are ready to commit as co-organiser in the setting up of this Ultra, send an email to :

aventure 2cv

I am looking for an experienced adventurer, driven by a spirit of exploration, to complete the full ITI 1000 route by bike in complete self-sufficiency and without support.

The objective would be to set off just after the official start of this iconic race, in ITT (Individual Time Trial) mode, to benefit from the route marking and participants’ track.

(In ITT mode, because I don’t have the physical level of the athletes in this event, and because registration is restricted to riders with recognised sporting credentials).