The Paris-Dakar on an electric bike. Six stages in eight days, from 80 to 120 km per day, from November 30 to December 7.
This is the Tembaine Desert Rally. An extreme but safe challenge. Inspired by the Paris-Dakar, with the true Tunisian desert, passing through the city of Tozeur, the gateway to Douz, the Ksar Ghilane oasis, the troglodyte houses carved in the rock of Matmata, the film set of Nefta, the salt lake of Chott El Jerid.
Alessandro Bettini, owner of Logic Bike in Torrimpietra on the outskirts of Rome on the Aurelia road, has done something - apparently - "illogic" by dreaming, planning, and creating the Tembaine Desert Rally. Because he wanted to propose and share those places created and shaped by heat and drought, known and loved through books and cinema, and then experienced in explorations and travels, first and foremost in a competition with himself. And he did it.
The premise: "It's not just about legs and heart, but also navigation and strategy". Training: "Physical endurance and riding technique". Strategy: "Understanding the capabilities of your e-bike depending on sand conditions, managing and optimizing the battery". Navigation: "Using satellite to load and follow gpx tracks". Special stages: through mandatory and crucial points. And that's where the ranking will be made.
The Tembaine Desert Rally is not an impossible mission. It's not even a crazy challenge. The organization will provide a complete service: "We'll provide a staff of mechanics, doctors, and physiotherapists, but competitors can have a mechanic-companion in their team, who will follow the race caravan with our vehicles. In this case, the companion will provide technical assistance at the stage arrivals and participate in evening life in hotels and bivouacs". For the safety of competitors "we will provide satellite monitoring, mechanical and medical assistance, and there will also be motorcycles and drones on the route".
Men alone in command (in command of bikes, operations, and their own balance), but alone up to a certain point.
Bettini had been generous when he set the participant limit at 50. Driven by the optimism of will, he hoped to reach it. And here too he succeeded: he registered a full house. For information: www.tembainedesertrally.com, info@tembainedesertrally.com, FB page Tembaine Desert Rally.