The Dakar rally/raid starts from Barcelona on 1st January 2005, I'm going to be there for the start.
I'm booked on Britany Ferries, Plymouth to Roscoff, leaving 23.00 on 27th December, arriving 07.30 28th.
I have a reservation for 30th December with the Holiday Inn at the Circuit De Catalunya, (just outside Barcelona), leaving on the 2nd January.
The journey dates were determined by the ferry availability, there is no Plymouth to Santander ferry until March 05, so there is nothing for it but a ride down through France and across the Pyrenees into Spain.
The outward leg will have a target of 300 miles a day. Not a huge distance on the face of it, the sort of distance I have happily done when 'just out for a ride' but the weather may be a factor at this time of year! 
Especially crossing the Pyrenees! 
There are no plans for accommodation on the route down so I will take some camping gear just in case I cannot find any B&Bs open at that time of year. 
Once in Barcelona, there is a party planned to see off some of the riders, among them Nick Plumb of Touratech UK. This is not his first Dakar and for those of you who have seen the HSBC TV advert (the "OK" except in Brazil hand sign one), Nick did the motorcycle riding scenes. 
There is a dinner arranged for the 30th. December, partly sponsored by BMW Motorrad (GB).
I suppose I will have to witness how the Catalans celebrate new year 
and report back, purely in the interests of cultural exchange of course!
The Dakar sets off on the 1st. January, with some 'Special Stages' in and around Barcelona followed by the rally cars, trucks and motorcycles being flagged away. If the start is too crowded I'll try and find a vantage point somewhere along the route.
I leave Barcelona on the 2nd. with a ferry crossing back from Roscoff at 22.30 on the 3rd. It means a less relaxed ride on the return leg but weather (again) permitting, it is well within the timescale.
A full report with fewer smilies and more photos will follow.
Edit; The party is now changed to the 31st December, so it will be New Year party as well. Perhaps there will still be a flavour of a Catalan New Year!
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