EDC Morocco, Africa, Sept 2019. Open invite for a free On/Off road & desert guided tour.

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WIBO
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EDC Morocco, Africa, Sept 2019. Open invite for a free On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by WIBO »

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I'm heading back again on my annual ride out to Morocco in Sept 2019....If anyone is interested in joining me they're more than welcome; I'm going anyway.

Off road experience on the moto you bring is required and with that a certain level of fitness to manhandle your moto on rough rocky trails along with some sand here and there.


Riders to date.

1. YamTen ..............Yamaha XT660Z
2. Mike.....................KTM 990 Adventure R
3. Agg(skinny) ........BMW F650 GS
4. WIBO...................Yamaha XT660Z
5. BobH ..................Suzuki DR650
6. Schoe000............Husqvarna TE630
7. Mactavish............Yamaha XT660Z
8. Daryl....................KTM690





Dates are departing Asson 64800 in France on 16.09.19 at 0800hrs.....depending on ferry timetables enter Maroc by Almeria l-Nador on a 6hour sailing.



Periodically check here for any amendments as time advances.

Morocco time is 1 hour behind Europe, i.e. it's on UK time. Fuel is about 95p per litre on average.

Room prices are with sharing so if you want a single room you pay extra for it.


From DAY 10 there"s the facility for any riders needing to break off early to head back to Europe. I've factored in that you're never too far at all from tarmac. Advice can be given reference return routes etc if asked for.







DAY 1 Monday 16.09.19

If leaving from France....

ASSON to SALAMANCA 640km/6hrs

SANTANDER to SALAMANCA 360km/3,5hrs

If docking on time at 1500hrs, allow an hour to get off and through passport control etc....on the road at 1600hrs to arrive at Salamanca to meet at approx 1930-2000hrs.

Dine out together.

Accommodation details which have been reserved and paid for.....

Hotel Castellano Centro

Calle Pedro Mendoza, 36, 37004 Salamanca

Less than €35 per person to include breakfast and parking.













DAY 2 Tuesday 17.09.19

SALAMANCA to ALMERIA Region

Hotel









DAY 3 Wednesday 18.09.19

ALMERIA to NADOR

Dpt hotel to port to arrive before 1100hrs for 1200 sailing to Africa. Buy one way ticket at the terminal. Keep a 20 euro note stashed for lunch on the way back at the end of the holiday as they wont accept Dirhams.

ATM's outside port for cash withdrawals.


Stay in an hotel in the Nador area......aim for Hotel Doha at

N 35 11 558
W 002 55 872









DAY 4 Thursday 19.09.19

NADOR to PISTE to WILD CAMP

Breakfast early and off we go.

Start of piste at.....

N 33 34 288
W 003 17 171





Download GPX files here.....

https://www.wikiloc.com/motorcycling-tr ... m-30014310










DAY 5 . Friday 20.09.19 .

WILD CAMP to MERZOUGA

At the end of the trail is a village callled Anoual.....back street fuel if need be at .....

N 32 40 941
W 003 05 937


Next town, 70kms later, called Beni Tajjite has a fuel station at if you can stretch it.

N 32 18 239
W 003 27 413



Road ride to stay in Palais des Dunes Merzouga.



Download GPX files here.....


https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/spatial ... d=30066839












DAY 6 . Saturday 21.09.19


REST DAY MERZOUGA

Laze about...fettle the moto.....ride out to see the Gara Medouar Crater used as a setting in the James Bond film Spectre

https://huntingbond.com/spectre-crater/


Erg Chebbi dunes are here which are bordered by 172 million hard pack ,all weather football pitch, type gravel trails. Dunes directly opposite the hotel if you wish to play.



Fuel available....nearest ATM's are in Rissani....great, busy place to sit and watch the world go by.


Fuel up in Merzouga for tomorrows ride and buy a snack for tomorrows lunch.










DAY 7 . Sunday 22.09.19

MERZOUGA to DESERT CAMP


Piste starts, after a 30km tarmac ride along the N13 at Taouz at......

N 30 54 593
W 003 59 425


Head to Ramlia village for a pepsi/snack stop t(hat was purchased the previous day.)....You can buy water here if need be. Photoshoot on the dried up lake bed just before Ramlia.

If we loose time getting through the fesh-fesh just after Ramlia itself...rendezvous/camp point at....

N 30 40 199
W 00427 734



Aim to get to Auberge Dinosaur .........option to see if rooms available or to wild camp 800m away at scenic dunes....

Auberge cords

N 30 38 174
W 004 48 622

After Tafraoute ride fast over the vast dried up lake bed at Lac Maider and just before the auberge. Back street fuel available in Tafraoute.





Download GPX files here.....
https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-bike-trai ... m-30387957












DAY 8 Monday 23.09.19

DESERT CAMP to ZAGORA



Ride on to Hotel Kasbah Scirocco in Zagora along the odd fast, open, level landscape at any speed you want...120kph standing can be done if you want.

Price for shared twin rooms is 350MAD per night . ( 30 quid per person ) with fatboy dinner & tasty fatboy eat all you want breakfast included.

Bar and swimming pool available. Guardian parking at hotel in shade and on gravel car park where you can drop your bike in front of everybody if you want.



Kasbah Scirocco cords

N 30 19 202
W 005 49 672










DAY 9 Tuesday 24.09.19

REST DAY - ZAGORA

Fuel, ATM's , Repairs

Short view point ride, if you so desire to radio mast peak opposite hotel. Rock piste climb with sheer drop offs.


350MAD per night per person ..shared twin room...dinner and breaklfast included.





DAY 10 . Wednesday 25.09.19


ZAGORA - FOUM ZGUID-TISSINT-TATA-IRHERM 350km 5hrs

Road ride and pepsi break in Tissint and lunch in the main street in Tata or Foum Zguid Fuel here if need be.

Spectacular scenery to Irherm via twisty tarmac on the P1805 . Google earth it.


A High Atlas weather and timings check will dictate whether or not I add in a tedious, annoying, frustrating, rocky trail climb to get to Tissint rather than tarmac.

Wild camp in almond grove just outside Irherm town as there's only a flea bite hostel there.

Start of piste to olive grove at......

N 30 07 500
W 008 27 966


( As a suggestion and as has happened in the past, riders needing to leave to catch up with their two week date slot leave Zagora bound for e.g.Marrakesh....355kms to arrive at the Camping or wherever they choose. Relax and fettle moto etc )










DAY 11 Thursday 26.09.19


WILD CAMP over MOUNTAIN PISTE to TAROUDANT

Hotel in Taroudant. centre with swimming pool and bar. Guardian parking.

ATM's...fuel a short distance from the hotel where you can buy water also.

( Early leavers can have a Rest Day in Marrakesh and see the sights in the centre as and when they want ...worth seeing the hustle and bustle )










DAY 12 Friday 27.09.19


TAROUDANT - TWISTIES - ARGANA ( LUNCH ) -HIGH ATLAS PISTE - IMINTANOUTE


Out of town to ride super twisties on the P1713 with viewpoints to Argana for a quick snack lunch then on to the piste on the High Atlas to arrive at 2020m altitude..... single track here and there passing through settlements and a quick detour en route to check a trail that will lead to a higher altitude.

Hotel Imintanoute centre....guardian parking 100m away.


( Early leavers can ride to either to Asilah or to Tanger Med to sleep, from Marrakesh ......autoroute day ride)...tolls cheap...good food in the services )











DAY 13 Saturday 28.09.19


IMMINTANOUTE - CAMPING LE RELAIS DE MARRAKESH

Good food, washing machine service available........close to European type supermarket, Decathlon, McDonalds and Pizza Hut, Moto shop not too far away.

Chalets to rent if not camping.

Cords

N 31 42 450
W 007 59 372

( Early riders Asilah or Tanger Med to Spain to e.g. Seville or 'as far north as you want'. .....Spend the rest of your Dirhams in Ksar es Seghir at the end of the autoroute by fuelling up or buy your ticket and get the rest changed at a money-change booth close to the ticket terminal. Produce euros to eat lunch on the ferry )










DAY 14 Sunday 29.09.19


REST DAY MARRAKESH

Repairs/laze about etc. and visit city centre for an eye opener of entertainment and hustle and bustle.

( Early riders e.g. Seville to 'as far north as they want' )




















......From here it's flexible as to who wants to do what after a general chat........leave for Europe or take a few days extra to get there..........








DAY 15 Monday 30.09.19

MARRAKESH to FQUIH BEN SALAH via the R710 to KHENIFRA








( Early riders 'as far north as they want' to Santander )



DAY 16 . Tuesday . 01.10.19

KHENIFRA to MOULAY IDRISS

Back street B&B if it's still there........if not an hotel I know in Meknes.










DAY 17 . Wednesday 02.10.19 .

MOULAY IDRISS to BAB TAZA to CHEFCHAOUEN

via the N13 to P4508 to P4569 to P4103 to P4107 to BAB TAZA to N2 to R412 to Chefchaouen. Wild mountain routes.









DAY 18 Thursday 03.10.19


REST DAY CHEFCHAOUEN (or not)






DAY 19 . Friday 04.10.19

CHEFCHAOUEN to TAMERNOUT to TANGER MED to SPAIN.

via the R4105 to N16 to N13 to A6 ( tolls...a few coins ) to Tanger Med port to Spain.

Coast road to take in the last of Maroc.







DAY 20 . Saturday 0510.19

Spain to northern Spain.







DAY 21 Sunday 06.10.19


Northern Spain to France.








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Some ideas here on packing your moto....some will work for you and some will not.......only you know what's best for you. Take as little as possible.

https://adventurebikerider.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=41500


If you're searching for a trip to Maroc on road that involves a plethora of European style hotels where everything is working at a timed schedule and laid on for you to miss as much of Maroc as possible ...... then this ride out is not for you.

You will drop your bike........you will get your bike stuck........you will need to have the facility to camp out in the wild because that's where we'll be; out in the wild..........you will need to know how to carry out running repairs..........you will succeed in any challenge because you have no choice but to succeed and you'll be proud of yourself for doing so when you reflect...........you will be exposed to a real Morocco and the poverty and warm welcome that people in poverty offer you.........if you're afraid of all of the aforementioned scenarios......this ride out is not for you.


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EDC?

Short for 'Équipe des Chèvres'..... (Team of Goats)

Not because we ride daring, high trails on cliff faces where only goats dare to tread.......but because of the way we behave....yes, we really are that stupid, following each other blindly.


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I will organise any hotels, guide and offer advice based on my experience for free. I too will also be open to advice based on others experience.


I can offer off road and road advanced riding tuition for free.



Due to some previous routes being left out I would like that the route commences in the north at Nador riding south on the plains of the Plateau de Rekkam to the Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and west to Zagora over the same plains and taking in an annoying section section of fesh-fesh at Ramlia and after.




The route will be a rough general route to give riders a taste of as much of the regional variation Maroc has to offer as possible. We can wing it and change based on arising circumstances so one is not under any pressure to be anywhere at the end of each day.




NB........Depending on timings this ride out should have up to 900kms plus of off road routes .......again depending on timings..... thus cutting down on road work.



Michelin Map number 742 refers to Morocco.


I've been to Maroc frequently and know how it and the locals work........ I speak French and can assist with any problems that might arise e.g. customs.




We will be riding trails and will be throwing in some wild camping here and there on spec due to being isolated.

I'll explain below in a lengthy manner.....


Normally we check into accommodation as it's so cheap to include an evening meal as well as breakfast. If you read through my last ride report (link at the bottom of the page) it will show up typical prices.


On one of my trips I went with camping kit and didn't use it, because, as I say the accommodation was so cheap. Better looking at it than for it.

The reason to have the capability to have basic camping which is of your own choice is that it covers the following scenario if it should arise.

In the past with a group if there are any delays due to e.g. mechanical failure or a puncture along with darkness approaching then one can at least bed down for the night without getting stressed as where one will be sleeping that night.


If we think we have to be at a particular town for a certain time and there is indeed a goofy problem or three or four,then this stress and need to be somewhere evolves into your holiday not being as good as it should be.


Herein lies the secret of just knowing where you'll be going but not with in a time constraint. My ride out includes rest days so any thing that needs repairing of a more serious nature.....the rest days are juggled and moved to accommodate.


When on the beaten track this is never usually a problem as we'll ride to a town and find somewhere. Off the beaten track with darkness approaching in an hour with no chance of coming across a town until a good few hours later quickly aggravates people. An hour or so before sundown lets us get sorted,eat calmly and sort any problem out tomorrow.


It may sound like overkill or needless to bring kit and never use it but to illustrate a point on a previous ride out the group were all remote trail riding heading for a town about an hour and a half away to stay in at the end of the days ride.

Of course,as usual,at the end of the day we had a puncture. The time lost to repair same meant we were never going to arrive at the town so we simply found a place to camp...made dinner..had a chat...watched the sun go down and effected repairs the next morning before continuing to enjoy the trails....Zero stress.


Without the facility to camp stress levels would have risen without a doubt...to sleep in moto kit on the ground....nothing much to eat...nothing to assist if you needed to go to the toilet...etc etc

A bigger group means more potential for goofy problems....Imagine two thorn punctures...or three throughout the day.Imagine time lost. Imagine the stress compounded? This is why you know where you're going but don't know exactly when you have to be there. That buffer zone of rest days allows you to enjoy your holiday and deal with stuff as and if it arises.


All this to say,Maroc will find weaknesses in your moto with no doubt and to allow for that needs to be factored in. From a broken lever to things vibrating off...all things that require time to fettle on the day.



It's all a bit like going out for a hill walk with a day sac with basic food,bivvy bag,water and a first aid kit...you'll put the day sack back in the boot at the car park upon returning and drive on home. If you twist your ankle though you have all that you need otherwise.


Not only should each rider be autonomous in the way of having the ability to camp if days are extended but also have the ability to effect running repairs on their own moto and cater for same in the way of spares etc.....such things as changing out clutch cables,gear levers etc to knowing how to repair a puncture.



There 'may' also be an option to roughly parallel any off road trails with road riding to arrive at the same place usually on the same day or the day thereafter.

If any break downs occur I have a contact who will transport the motos to where ever at your own cost.


I'll try to keep you right so you pay what you should be paying as best I can, rather than getting fleeced






Essential qualities required: sense of humour and also.....the ability to work together when..........ahem...I mean, if, it all goes wrong.

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Also to have the ability to ......work together, solely for the purpose to gang up, to point, ridicule and laugh at those others in the group that do stupid things. (I'm an expert at getting pointed at)







The only policy really, is 'Frank and friendly'.....keep it like that and every one gets along just fine...(but this doesn't exonerate you getting ridiculed and pointed at!)




If anyone is interested and have any questions by all means ping a response....the best bit though is....it's a free guided on/off road ride in Maroc.

Once there, if you don't like, it you can go away when you want.



Previous ride reports here.....

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=40730



https://adventurebikerider.com/forum/vi ... 21&t=47479


Garmin maps for here are abysmal. This link will give Open Street Maps which will show piste. If you use your GPS route planner and mark points on trails it will route and connect the very same. Even if you put in a desert town to another it will route via trail to get there. Dead handy.


http://alternativaslibres.org/en/downloads.php




If any friends or group want to head off to do their own thing we can bunny hop each other as we see fit....there's never a problem with that.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If anyone is interested in going just reply.....I'm going anyway....

Whatever moto you bring.....MAKE SURE you have taken it off road and know how to ride it on same.....getting lots of practice in before you come would be an understatement.


Below is some 'Handy Tips' in no particular order, for what to bring or do............some obvious, that you no doubt do already and some not so.

Don't be shy in reading over these tips several times thoughout the year.


1. Lip balm as the air is bone dry and there's a chance you'll get chapped lips whilst riding.

2. A neck buff will keep your neck from getting sun burnt as the sun lies very low on the horizon in the late afternoon.......for the same reason a helmet with a peak is advisable.

3. Small bottle of pocket gel hand cleaner, if you so desire......the dirtiest thing you'll touch, as in Europe, is paper money and bread.

4. Upset stomach medication.

5. Don't

6. Inform your bank your card will be flagging up in Maroc....it's been known for banks to stop cards after a few days in, as it's out of the ordinary withdrawals.

7. Allow for space to stash any winter kit that has been worn en route through Europe. I have vented riding kit which stays open for the duration once over the Atlas; I don't know why I had to mention that.

8. A 'camel bak' type hydration bag is essential. Decathlon ones are cheap and work. Average daytime temps will be 25-30c normally. Keep drinking as when you're thirsty you're already dehydrated.

9. Yelling, screaming and shouting for help will be viewed as attention seeking and will be mostly ignored.

10. Summer gloves or MX gloves along with cotton socks for boots if you so desire.

11. Sun cream and sun hat.

12. Sunglasses

13. Basic first aid kit to cover typical bike accidents.

14. Optional small spray insect repellent...every now and then, depending on where we stop, there'll be some flies as it's date harvest time, that's as in fruit...they don't harvest calendars.

15. Spare set of moto keys, preferably permanently on a lanyard around your neck. Loosing your only set of keys will cause all sorts of grief for you and all others will laugh and point at you.

16. If you don't charge your gadgets on the moto....then surge protected chargers are needed as there can be goofy power supply, especially that coming from generators. There's plentiful WiFi for the likes of skype/viber etc.

17, Avoid bungee net/bungees to hold any kit on....they're not strong enough to hold kit on when off road...........especially on lengths of corrugations

18. Easy access to head torch.

19. Don't

20. Make-up wipes....these will remove grease whereas baby wipes don't and come in a smaller packet for storage...they also work the same as baby wipes for toilet usage.


21. Learn how to pick up your moto...........there's more chance of having a snatch-stall in a car park than anything else. Of course no one will laugh......much............or take pictures.

22. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.

23. Customs will be completed by the Customs Officers when you present your moto registration papers.

24. Pack a couple of needles and a spool of thread (stashed in First Aid box and taking up no room) if any kit gets ripped falling off...or even just a split seam through wear and tear...handy to have and not always thought about. (On my last trip I sewed a glove seam after a days riding with my finger poking out..really annoying until it was sewn)

25. A socket/tool to remove front sprocket nut in case of a chain derailment where the chain ends up jammed in against engine......not always thought about.

26. If you can ride with a foam filter that will rinse in petrol without the glued seams dissolving it would be a bonus. Some filters fall apart, when rinsing in petrol, as you have to use the makers own cleaner. Dust in Maroc can be like smoke.

27. If you ask questions akin to "Where are the toilets?"..... "Do they change money here?"......"The water temperature in my room is tepid what will I do?" ........You'll be met with a blank stare or with the response of "I haven't been here before either so how do really expect me to know?"

28. The first person who indicates smugly that they know something more than others will be deemed a Responsible Adult (R.A.) and therefore open to a bombardment of questions and thus blame....see point 27 for question examples.

29. Based on previous experience garlic is the best form of defence against the African vampire giraffe as they're too tall to jump up and hammer a wooden stake in.

30. If applicable a visit to the dentist before leaving... a toothache a couple of days away from a dentist could spoil your ride out.

31. I strap stuff onto my panniers criss cross fashion and tie the ends of the straps to each other. If you just use straps on each end without the criss cross the kit may vibrate off due to long stretches of piste corrugations. This is why a visit to the dentist is also advised.....your fillings won't rattle out.

32. Good strong motocross type/style boots should be used rather than softer boots.... ( I once had a chap turn up wearing slip-on shoes on a GS1200.........against advice he rode, after 1km fell off and did a u turn....he was over 18 years old )

33. A tow strop strong enough to haul your moto in case of a complete breakdown (footpeg to footpeg)....the small ratchet type tie downs you get in the likes of B&Q will not work....for my single cylinder moto, a standard e.g. Acerbis moto cross tie down has worked to date. Make sure what ever you use is tested as if it's too light it will snap.

34. The corrugations WILL rattle nuts and bolts loose especially on pannier supports.........PLEASE , PLEASE , and erm, PLEASE!!!!, go around the moto and nip every thing up well before departure!!!!!!!!!!!!.....even suspension pivot nuts/bolts.....Loctite is a bonus.

35. If you have an Allen key type front axle to loosen remember to bring the tool to do so.

36. Bring good quality zip tys/short length of wire to twist ref. lost nuts or bolts.

37. Spare cables (if older cables are on the moto) attached to existing cables with zip tys covers the snapped cable scenario.

38. Breakables.........Spare clutch, brake & gear levers are a must !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Start off with a good condition chain kit if not new and with steel sprockets.....alloy will not last... period. Bring wheel bearings if unsure or swap them out before you leave for all the price of them. Same applies for brake pads. Parts network is NOT like Europe at all.

39. If your GPS has a place for a lanyard fit one from there to the moto in case it either vibrates off or gets knocked off after a fall. It can sink into fesh-fesh or sand and you'll not find it if you missed it coming off. An old sleeping bag draw string works fine and carabiner.

40. Spray the inside of your air box with air filer oil too...anything to catch dust. Seal any sides if you can with a line of grease to catch dust also.

41. If you see the odd small pile of stones arranged or a large rock on the road, it's usually a sign that there's a hazard just there....a land slide or severe dip etc.

42. A small tube of instant gasket and quick set JB weld stashed, should be thought about.

43. A few denture sterilising tablets to keep your water back-pack fresh.....doesn't take long for spores to arrive in the heat after a few days.

44. A small container should be thought about, with various standard nuts and bolts and to include a couple of helmet peak plastic screws if applicable. Make's it less annoying if you ding your peak off and then you can carry on.

45. Alloy or soft luggage is preferred over Hepco and Becker plastic...these do not work well off road any great distance.....they will fall off unless a tie down is used to wrap around them via the pannier supports.

46. If you think your pannier supports look a little light duty i.e. certain Givi ones ...weld some gusset at key mounting points. Each trip I see pannier supports cracking.

47. Bring couple of pens......handy to write the fuel price on your hand to show cashiers and to fill in the passport declaration form on the boat. I stash a few by slipping them into my handlebar cross bar foam,

48. If you run tubes and can't find patches.....try a farm supply as they usually stock same for tractor tubes. Shower gel will lube your tyre.

49. A couple of spare split links for your make of chain i.e. DID split links for DID chains and a couple of links of chain should be thought about in case a chain snaps. Tool to break links too.

50. A spare regulator should be considered and if riding with tubes a front tube will get you to where yo need to go by using it in both tyre sizes.

51. When entering the confines of Spanish ports ride at the speed limit as there can be radar cops.

52. A cheap pair of Decathlon type binoculars or scope could be thought about to be handed out to local shepherds......they can watch their flocks from a distance and save fuel if on a scooter from having to patrol their grazing areas.

53. If you so desire bring some cheap sweets/lollipops to hand out to kids along with some pens.

54. Brush teeth with BOTTLED WATER as you can't drink the tap water. Drink breakfast orange juice only out of cartons that you can see....sometimes fresh orange juice is diluted with tap water.

55. I still see riders arrive with not enough tools or no tools along with no medical kit, reliant on other strangers to carry them.....This laziness could possibly annoy the other riders. This is OK until you have to return home early for an emergency......this is when you'll get problems......on your own on the way back and no way to effect repairs.

56. When riding Maroc twisties, it's a national pastime to see numerous local vehicles driving towards you over the centre line. Take note.

57. 200MAD equals 16GBP .....20MAD therefore equals 1.60GBP....... 10MAD equals 80p....1MAD equals 7p ....do you really want to wait around for a few pence in change when getting fuel? For the saddo tight-fisted types, get to think that 20 dirhams is not 20 quid and that when you get 198 dirhams of fuel just give the fuel attendant 200 and smile as you get back onto the moto. If they over fill you by a few pence they drop it back to 200....it works both ways.

I've seen some people wait around for a few pennies equal in change. The locals think this is weird. If you have this psychological condition you'll not have the full Maroc experience........ a lot of the people you'll meet have nothing and yet some riders will stand there waiting for 4p. Pretend it's like other countries, a tourist tax, except you can see it going into the hands of the locals.

58. A minimum of four bottles of water in addition to what you have on your back, should be on your moto at all times. When off road and arriving at any auberges then top up by buying what you need to keep it at four. Remember that you will use some for cooking also. I've seen bizarre riders ignore this advice when it has been pointed out that water is available to buy, then see them have to sponge off others the next morning as they were too tight to spend.....incredible to be that tight-fisted in the desert and deprive others of their water.

59. A few Isotar type sachets should be stashed in your camel back.

60. If the rear wheel of your moto sinks into sand...as soon as you feel lack of forward motion stop.......it will not lift itself out of the sand....just dig in further. Get off the moto.........put it onto its side and fill the rut that has been dug with sand, using your feet. Lift moto back up and it should be level enough to pull itself out, if not by itself but with a push from others.


61. A cheap wind up radio to be handed out to isolated locals could be thought about

62. Budget 85p ( €0.96 0 per litre for petrol.

63. If arriving into Tanger Med there's ATM's on your LHS ( 50m ) just after the final gate check, along with the chance to buy motor vehicle insurance if arriving before 1900hrs........usually. Insurance can be purchased in Nador Port and there are ATM's just as you exit on the RHS. There's a small carpark and the tills are at the end of same.

64. When sleeping at night keep your tent zipped up as the African vampire giraffe can lean right in with their long necks, to the end ,and bite you.

65. After I find a reasonable price for an hotel........feel free to tell me you can get it on booking dot com for two quid less, as this will be deemed very important........by all means feel free to book same with the app and then find out that you have to pay more than the two quid you just saved for a full evening meal, dessert and tea, that I was able to include in my price. See point 57.



66. DON'T burden yourself with lots of food stuffs as it's all readily available when buying fuel....a couple of cuppa soups for a dinner and a packet of cereal bars for breakfast the next morning with sachet coffee/tea......small diameter fajitas are good to have in your pannier as they are vacuum sealed and keep for ages.........if you miss buying a disc of bread you can open these and have with a cuppa soup. A good Plan B.

67. I carry a 2L fuel container, only so as I can fill my petrol cooking stove......normally I have enough to get from one section of piste to each town with one tank. I usually take great pleasure in filling a local shepherds scooter up when I can. Know how many kms roughly you can get on a tank and factor that in.

68. A lift out small overnight bag saves you having to lift off panniers / Giant Loop and carry therm in to any hotel, usually up a couple of flights of stairs. Your moto will be safe. No need to carry a heavy chain lock.


69. If you want a single room in any of the hotels then you'll pay more.

70. Bring original Registration documents, Vehicle Test Certificate if applicable and Insurance Certificate.


71. Test your moto and make sure that you can sit all day loaded, for a couple of days at plus 115kph..........IF NOT bring another moto.


72. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21 and point 22..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.


73. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21 and point 22..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.


74. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21 and point 22 ..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.


75. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21 and point 22..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.


76. Pack as light as possible.........see point 21 and point 22..........................for more information............................re-read point 21.

77. Read point 68


78. Read point 68.





If you cannot read please learn to read before reading or re-reading all of the above.


















.
Last edited by WIBO on Thu Jul 28, 2022 9:38 am, edited 101 times in total.
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bennewham
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by bennewham »

How would a KTM 500 fare in this trip? I did a week living off the bike last year in the pyrenees but this is probably a harder more road oriented trip would you say?
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WIBO
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by WIBO »

Hi

If you can cruise for a day and a half on an autoroute at one sitting or the odd full day on an A road and average a speed of 110-115kph etc ( on your saddle ) then you can slot in just nicely. If not then another model of a moto would be required.

It's always that compromise for your moto having the legs to cover distance and once off road all is well thereafter. The trails are gnarly here and there but free-flowing the majority of the time.


Rob on his DR just brings a lower front sprocket in his kit and changes that out once any long road work is finished with and if it is needed. Nice option to have and tiny to carry with you.

Any other questions by all means just ask.


All the best

:D
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by crofty »

Good morning Keith, enjoyed your last year's trip report once again.
The DT16ter has now been discontinued. The new procedure has a special thread on the HUBB

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/morocco/d16ter-no-longer-in-use-96937
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by bennewham »

WIBO wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:19 am Hi

If you can cruise for a day and a half on an autoroute at one sitting or the odd full day on an A road and average a speed of 110-115kph etc ( on your saddle ) then you can slot in just nicely. If not then another model of a moto would be required.

It's always that compromise for your moto having the legs to cover distance and once off road all is well thereafter. The trails are gnarly here and there but free-flowing the majority of the time.


Rob on his DR just brings a lower front sprocket in his kit and changes that out once any long road work is finished with and if it is needed. Nice option to have and tiny to carry with you.

Any other questions by all means just ask.


All the best

:D
Thanks for the detailed reply, in theory it should be ok, but I'll have to think about. All well and good me taking it a bit easier or having a break but there is everyone else to think about of course. Will have a think.
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by WIBO »

crofty wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:03 am Good morning Keith, enjoyed your last year's trip report once again.
The DT16ter has now been discontinued. The new procedure has a special thread on the HUBB

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/m ... -use-96937

Great stuff Crofty...thanks for the heads up......I'll edit my invite.

All the best

:D





.
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by YamTen »

Count myself, Mike and Paul to the list. :D
Really up for this. The two old timers (not really old, but older than me!) have been a few times before, but my pretty new to the whole adventure game.
Last edited by YamTen on Wed Jan 30, 2019 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by Agg(Skinny) »

Old timers (thanks Dan) looking forward to it. Any news on possible dates? Digging out my flask for brandy now!!!!! :o
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by Tonibe63 »

Loving the list Keith especially:-

".you will be exposed to a real Morocco and the poverty and warm welcome that people in poverty offer you.."

"52. A cheap pair of Decathlon type binoculars or scope could be thought about to be handed out to local shepherds......they can watch their flocks from a distance and save fuel if on a scooter from having to patrol their grazing areas."

"57. 200MAD equals 16GBP .....20MAD therefore equals 1.60GBP....... 10MAD equals 80p....1MAD equals 7p ....do you really want to wait around for a few pence in change when getting fuel? For the saddo tight-fisted types, get to think that 20 dirhams is not 20 quid and that when you get 198 dirhams of fuel just give the fuel attendant 200 and smile as you get back onto the moto. If they over fill you by a few pence they drop it back to 200....it works both ways.

I've seen some people wait around for a few pennies equal in change. The locals think this is weird. If you have this psychological condition you'll not have the full Maroc experience........ a lot of the people you'll meet have nothing and yet some riders will stand there waiting for 4p. Pretend it's like other countries, a tourist tax, except you can see it going into the hands of the locals."

8-) 8-) 8-)
Open your eyes and you see what is in front of you, open your mind and you see a bigger picture but open your heart and you see a whole new World.
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Re: EDC Morocco, Africa, 2019. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

Post by BobH »

WIBO wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:19 am
Rob on his DR just brings a lower front sprocket in his kit and changes that out once any long road work is finished with and if it is needed. Nice option to have and tiny to carry with you.

Just to explain, I go up 1 tooth (from standard 15T) to a 16T for the road work. On the DR it makes a usable difference in mpg and comfortable cruising speed. Then when going off road drop down to 15T or 14T depending on how difficult the terrain is. 10 mins work and small and light to carry.
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