Am I Nuts? Solo Blonde MC'ing Morocco in May

[missadventuring]

Morocco is a safe and welcoming country to tour solo. Take it easy the first couple of days until you understand the traffic 'rules'.
If you do enter via Spain, Asilah on the coast below Tanger is a lovely place to stop on your first night.

Thanks Tim! I will pick up a bike in Spain and ride across. Advise on Asilah particularly welcome. It was nice to hear from the guy who said women are in both traditional and western dress. Trepidation aside, I am really really looking forward to the journey.

Traffic rules! Have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjrEQaG5jPM

 

[Ash]

Where's Snoopy when you want him, he's the real expert on travelling alone down there isn't he?

snoopy has been kidnapped by kelley and ballistic to the wilds of scotlandshire.
he is going to teach them hardcore adventure biking.

 

[missadventuring]

On a recent BIG trip my mate turned his 1100GS upside down in a ditch and it took us both 15 minutes or so to upright it and get going again, it nearly landed on him in the first place. Afterwards we laughed about it for ages

This kind of situation is exactly when I have the most fun-adventure on a solo trip. Whenever the bike breaks down or other disastrous situation, somebody comes along and I've spent days with, for example, a Chinese family. So far, maybe dumb luck!

 

[Monsieur]

Just looked at your website Carla - some adventures there and so well written

 

[Devon]

IMHO Morocco would be a breeze for you. Turkey or even Italy would be more intimidating for a solo women than Morocco.
Don't dress or act like Daisy Duke and it won't be a problem (same the world over really).

 

[missadventuring]

I've ridden in Italy many times, and I have a friend who lives in Turkey with apparently no difficulties - so that's very good news to hear. Thanks!

 

[missadventuring]

Route Advice? May 15 - June 10, 2009

I have been appreciating Tim's posts and resources, thank you! My trip is shaping up. I'm going to ride a Ural sidecar bike in Morocco, entering around May 15 from Spain. I have to be in Marrakesh for a week June 5-12, then will head back up to Spain again the fastest way. I was thinking I would probably rough it in the Altlas Mountains areas the weeks before my stay in Marrakesh, and then return to Spain on the west coast roads, tarmac. I'll be solo much of the time, but am very experienced riding solo and on Ural-type bikes. But I'm not adverse to company if I meet other riders. I think it'll be a great vehicle for Morocco and at least I'll stay upright unlike a lot of people in the photos I see! I'm not experienced with sand but have done a lot of rock and dirt stuff. Do you have a route recommendation? I will have a tent because I'll be coming from Austria, camping my way across Europe starting May 4, but I do understand that a tent is not necessary in Morocco. Thanks! Carla
http://www.carlaking.com

 

[cherokee]

Will you marry me..................

 

[MikeP]

I'm meeting a bunch of girlfriends in Marrakesh 1st week of June. I thought I'd pick up a bike in Spain in May and tour Morocco before joining up with them. May have another nutty blonde chick on pillion but probably not.

Big mistake posting dates.

You will now probably see nothing but middle-aged blokes on GS's everywhere you go, all sucking-in their beer bellies and trying to look like manly, rugged, worldly adventurers.

More seriously, Marrakech in particular is a often a destination for women travelling alone. Last March we bumped into one such young lady in the Medina looking for somewhere to eat.

She had just jumped on a plane from London on a whim. She'd been there a few days and done a fair bit of independent travelling around Morocco on her own. She reported that she'd had no issues at all.

You may invoke some curiosity but that's likely to be about it (you are more likely to be bothered by male menopause, Adventure-bike riding western men).

 

[Keith Chapman]

I have been appreciating Tim's posts and resources, thank you! My trip is shaping up. I'm going to ride a Ural sidecar bike in Morocco, entering around May 15 from Spain. I have to be in Marrakesh for a week June 5-12, then will head back up to Spain again the fastest way. I was thinking I would probably rough it in the Altlas Mountains areas the weeks before my stay in Marrakesh, and then return to Spain on the west coast roads, tarmac. I'll be solo much of the time, but am very experienced riding solo and on Ural-type bikes. But I'm not adverse to company if I meet other riders. I think it'll be a great vehicle for Morocco and at least I'll stay upright unlike a lot of people in the photos I see! I'm not experienced with sand but have done a lot of rock and dirt stuff. Do you have a route recommendation? I will have a tent because I'll be coming from Austria, camping my way across Europe starting May 4, but I do understand that a tent is not necessary in Morocco. Thanks! Carla
http://www.carlaking.com

And Tarka is searching for his passport right now.

 

[Martas]

I have been appreciating Tim's posts and resources, thank you! My trip is shaping up. I'm going to ride a Ural sidecar bike in Morocco, entering around May 15 from Spain. I have to be in Marrakesh for a week June 5-12, then will head back up to Spain again the fastest way. I was thinking I would probably rough it in the Altlas Mountains areas the weeks before my stay in Marrakesh, and then return to Spain on the west coast roads, tarmac. I'll be solo much of the time, but am very experienced riding solo and on Ural-type bikes. But I'm not adverse to company if I meet other riders. I think it'll be a great vehicle for Morocco and at least I'll stay upright unlike a lot of people in the photos I see! I'm not experienced with sand but have done a lot of rock and dirt stuff. Do you have a route recommendation? I will have a tent because I'll be coming from Austria, camping my way across Europe starting May 4, but I do understand that a tent is not necessary in Morocco. Thanks! Carla
http://www.carlaking.com

Hi Carla,just wanna wish you a good luck. I will go solo to Marocco as well from Ireland but two weeks b4 you.

 

[purds]

Yes - good luck

We are 4 guys who will be in Maroc from around 7th to 17th May.
Have fun and take care

 

[rob mac]

If it helps, when I went I wore a dress every night and no one bothered me, next time I'm going to wear a mini skirt.

 

[simonsycro]

Carla
I was there last year - just flew into Agadir, hired a bike, rode around for 2 weeks. The culture is very different from West Africa, and like you I was not sure what to expect but the Berber and Tuareg peoples are kind generous polite and largely just want to practice their English and make a new friend.
The main roads are excellent, the off road riding is fantastic - but you either ride with a friend or a third wheel - because if you do break a leg you are really miles from help and hospitals.
The petrol is just awful - the best of the bunch is Shell Super my Africa Twin would not run on anything else and at altitude its cold and scary not knowing if you are going to make it.
You can camp/free camp but rooms are cheap and everywhere.
The route south from Marrakeh via Asni is one of the great motorcycle roads of the world! The traffic chaos in the major cities is a nightmare.
Speaking to single women travellers (not on motorcycles) travel was not a problem bit of hassle in bigger places - smaller places fine.
If you have questions - just ask. Simon.