Biketruck - trip to Morocco - April 2009

[Steptoe]

4 nights of hotels, say £20 a night, so thats another £80

We're doing calais to algerceris with one nights stop.

Time you factor in getting to the airport, waiting at the airport, delays at the airport ?, getting out of the airport at the other end, getting to where your bike is, then not being able to ride anywhere as it's too late in the day so having to get a hotel/b&b for the night ready for the next day.

I know which i'd rather do. Mainly because your schedule/fate is in your own hands, not depending on various circumstances and other people .

 

[Sir James]

Just ride it

Sunderland to Marakesh in 3 days

Ave it

 

[st247]

We're doing calais to algerceris with one nights stop.

Time you factor in getting to the airport, waiting at the airport, delays at the airport ?, getting out of the airport at the other end, getting to where your bike is, then not being able to ride anywhere as it's too late in the day so having to get a hotel/b&b for the night ready for the next day.

I know which i'd rather do. Mainly because your schedule/fate is in your own hands, not depending on various circumstances and other people .

Calais to Algeciras - a lot more mileage = more fuel costs, plus another night in a Hotel as i'm a Northerner.

Delays/fire at the tunnel, militant french farmers blockading all the ports, lost in Madrid

There just different ways of skinning the same cat. You call it a dash because your rushing through france and spain to get to your chosen destination - Morocco - i've just chose a different way of doing it.

 

[patzx12]

If that was my truck I would paint it white, why advertise the fact that it is full of bikes.

 

[Deleted Member I]

If you lived closer. For me though it makes sense -

The north to Algeciras via Plymouth Santander

2,300 miles round trip which at 50mpg is about 210litres of fuel or £190
4 nights of hotels, say £20 a night, so thats another £80
4 Days worth of food, another £40
Taking Richeyroo's cheap ferry quote of £190 (I never found one that cheap)

So for me i'm already up to £500, thats before you put in all the other costs, half the mileage of a set of tyres, 19hours of vomiting on a boat (priceless!),road tolls etc.

But the clincher for me is the extra 6 days of holidays/days away from the family that i'd need. Going away on the bike is a selfish endeavour, i'll enjoy the trip more if I'm the one paying rather than the rest of the family.

You can get a similar service for cheaper than that. Should be able to do it on more flexible dates too.

PM me if you want a quote, I will send you the email address of the transport company. They ship Ducatis and other Italian bikes around Europe, so know what they are doing.

 

[st247]

You can get a similar service for cheaper than that. Should be able to do it on more flexible dates too.

PM me if you want a quote, I will send you the email address of the transport company. They ship Ducatis and other Italian bikes around Europe, so know what they are doing.

Cheers I'll bear that in mind if I go for another trip.

 

[Snoopy]

If that was my truck I would paint it white, why advertise the fact that it is full of bikes.

My first thought exactly. He's asking for trouble when he stops at one of the truck stops on the E1, full of other empty trucks...

 

[st247]

My first thought exactly. He's asking for trouble when he stops at one of the truck stops on the E1, full of other empty trucks...

I didn't realise you were such a security expert Perhaps you should offer your services

 

[rocks]

Insurance

I would be very keen to check up on the insurance situation covering damage to your bike etc if the truck / driver etc are involved in a crash before committing.

There was one company doing similar trips with track day cars recnetly, and their truck was in a smash. Turned out they were not insured for damage to the cars, as it was wavered and abroad..

Yes, cheaper on time, hassles of ferries etc, and if proffesionally run great, (The truck looks modern and crates look reasonable in the pics) BUT be ware. caveat empor etc.. would defenitely want a written confirmation on the insurance coverage of bike and gear whilst intheir possession.

Otherwise, as someone said, could be a great way to get the smaller bikes down without the pain in the rears..lol..

 

[Richeyroo]

I
Taking Richeyroo's cheap ferry quote of £190 (I never found one that cheap)

Just done a quick run around directferries.co.uk .................

Going out and coming back in April on the Plymouth Santander route (reclining chair only I'm afraid) and the quote comes in at £190

 

[st247]

I would be very keen to check up on the insurance situation covering damage to your bike etc if the truck / driver etc are involved in a crash before committing.

Agreed

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I didn't realise you were such a security expert Perhaps you should offer your services

Brilliant reposte......

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Just done a quick run around directferries.co.uk .................

Going out and coming back in April on the Plymouth Santander route (reclining chair only I'm afraid) and the quote comes in at £190

When are you going Rich?

On that route in April. Two bikes and cabin for £280 one way. Back from Caen or Cherbourg

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I would be very keen to check up on the insurance situation covering damage to your bike etc if the truck / driver etc are involved in a crash before committing.

There was one company doing similar trips with track day cars recnetly, and their truck was in a smash. Turned out they were not insured for damage to the cars, as it was wavered and abroad..

Yes, cheaper on time, hassles of ferries etc, and if proffesionally run great, (The truck looks modern and crates look reasonable in the pics) BUT be ware. caveat empor etc.. would defenitely want a written confirmation on the insurance coverage of bike and gear whilst intheir possession.

Otherwise, as someone said, could be a great way to get the smaller bikes down without the pain in the rears..lol..

They should have Goods in Transit insurance which will cover the bikes. It`s worth a phone call to the operator to check.

 

[ozzy]

ride it ?

Just ride it

Sunderland to Marakesh in 3 days

Ave it

I thought you did it in a 4x4 with two drivers James !

 

[ozzy]

truck full of bikes

My first thought exactly. He's asking for trouble when he stops at one of the truck stops on the E1, full of other empty trucks...

that's just the advert on the truck that wont be the truck going down I don't think there that thick , did it last year and will be going on this one , its a great way of taking one week off and ridding in the sun for a week , full marks from me , I did it following the Dakar and the week turn around getting there and back was dull and well just crap

 

[Richeyroo]

Direct ferries

When are you going Rich?

On that route in April. Two bikes and cabin for £280 one way. Back from Caen or Cherbourg

Just done another search on the directferries.co.uk website, plymouth to santander with Brittany Ferries, with a reclining seat

Going out on 26 April, coming back on May 7 and again it says the price is £190. It seems cheap to me too, but that's what the website is saying

I'm torn between a 7 day offroad trip through Portugal as done by Timpo, Timolgra et al last year but really I want to go to southern Morocco

Decisions, decisions, money, family, work, ho hum

This might be a thread hijack sorry

 

[Tim Cullis]

That's the price I have for 31 March out, 20 April back. Mattress in the corner of the reclining room, iPod and eye mask. Cable lock to secure stuff if necessary. No problem.

Tim

 

[Bronco Billy]

If you lived closer. For me though it makes sense -

The north to Algeciras via Plymouth Santander

2,300 miles round trip which at 50mpg is about 210litres of fuel or £190
4 nights of hotels, say £20 a night, so thats another £80
4 Days worth of food, another £40
Taking Richeyroo's cheap ferry quote of £190 (I never found one that cheap)

So for me i'm already up to £500, thats before you put in all the other costs, half the mileage of a set of tyres, 19hours of vomiting on a boat (priceless!),road tolls etc.

(4 days worth of food £40) ....... So if you didnt go on this trip then you`d save £40 by not eating? Save a lot more if you did it for a couple of month !

 

[Snoopy]

(4 days worth of food £40) ....... So if you didnt go on this trip then you`d save £40 by not eating? Save a lot more if you did it for a couple of month !

You forgot to offset the price of flights & taxis from Malaga. Flights are not as cheap as they once were!

I'm another sucker contemplating going south in April. But i'm trying to save.