Morocco HUMM May 2015

[Count Pikey]

Er what was that you were saying Pikey - I refer you to your previous statement? That'll by why you have a GS - and not the Adventure! No pressure eh? I'm currently in Taunton trying to get my tyre fixed in Graham's Motorcycles - great traditional motorcycle garage, highly recommended.

Bazzer

LOL, if it was lashing it down I'd probably bring my car as I think Kathy may be joining us for lunch, went for a spin today, absolutely gorgeous. You better make sure your bikes up to scratch else you may be bringing your car

 

[Bazzer66]

LOL, if it was lashing it down I'd probably bring my car as I think Kathy may be joining us for lunch, went for a spin today, absolutely gorgeous. You better make sure your bikes up to scratch else you may be bringing your car

And having said all that I will NOT now be on the bike - unless anyone knows a bike tyre place that's open tomorrow and has a front Tourance Next tyre it can fit while I'm en route from Zummerzet?! Bugger!!!!! Graham couldn't find a leak but the tyre loses full pressure in about 45mins - just enough to get me home from Taunton!
It'll be nice to see Kath again, unfortunately Lou's tied up with kids tomoz (not literally obviously!). I'll meet you at the café then..................

Bazzer

 

[GSTraveller]

Honestly guys, I totally understand. Riding in the wet isn't everyone's cup of tea. Fingers crossed we don't suffer any of the wet stuff or a slowey in Moroc!

 

[Bazzer66]

Time off work booked, new tent, sleeping mat purchased, looking for a cheap and cheerful new lid. The question is, whats the consensus on insurance, my policy is up for renewal anyway. I phoned Carole Nash who said the only underwriters who cover Morocco are Avia and "AGES?" but the policy itself is almost double a normal policy and the green card an extra £30. I'm thinking it would be cheaper to buy it over in Moroc but getting through my UK insurance would be a lot simpler. What is everyone else thinking of doing?

Hey Pete, I've just seen on FB, Overland Magazine recommending Motorcycle Travel Insurance - I haven't done a detailed quote but it does look promising? What do you think?

Mark

 

[GSTraveller]

Hey Pete, I've just seen on FB, Overland Magazine recommending Motorcycle Travel Insurance - I haven't done a detailed quote but it does look promising? What do you think?

I went with carol Nash in the end. It was a bit pricey but it covered both my bikes, gave me the green card for Moroc and fully comp to boot so I just what the heck and stumped up the readies. Looks like a good deal though, wish I'd seen it before Carol Nash started plucking figures out of thin air!

Pete

 

[Count Pikey]

And having said all that I will NOT now be on the bike - unless anyone knows a bike tyre place that's open tomorrow and has a front Tourance Next tyre it can fit while I'm en route from Zummerzet?! Bugger!!!!! Graham couldn't find a leak but the tyre loses full pressure in about 45mins - just enough to get me home from Taunton!
It'll be nice to see Kath again, unfortunately Lou's tied up with kids tomoz (not literally obviously!). I'll meet you at the café then..................

Bazzer

I suspect it may be leaking from around the valve if you have pressure sensors fitted, you can buy a service kit with a new rubber seal, if not it must be coming from somewhere and I'm surprised it can't be located.

 

[Count Pikey]

I am taking the car, will be leaving at 12, see you all soon.

 

[Jeffk]

Thanks for today guys, nice meet and put names to faces. Look forward to seeing you again and to watching our progression towards the off

 

[GSTraveller]

Thanks for today guys, nice meet and put names to faces. Look forward to seeing you again and to watching our progression towards the off

+1

Pete

 

[Neavey]

Insurance

Hi Guys,

Good to meet you all yesterday.

So, I have been looking at the Overland Mag insurance as mentioned by (I think) Mark above. I am no expert so check for yourself before paying out any money.

The main thing to note is that the policy does not provide 3rd party cover, from the site:

"Holidaysafe Bikers Travel Insurance does not provide cover for Third Party Liability when riding a motorcycle. (i.e. damage to either the bike or someone else’s vehicle or property, or for any injury to another person)."

This means you will still need to purchase 3rd party cover at the Morocco border or have made arrangements with your current insurer.

It does, however, cover emergency medical bills, legal advice, possessions, clothes, luggage etc. and lots of other little bits.

For Morocco you only need to specify Europe including Spain, worldwide is not required. For 18 days single trip cover I was quoted £24.55 for the premier cover and £21.53 for the standard cover. We won't actually be in Morocco for 18 days but the quote works out the same whether I state 18 or fewer days.

BTW. If taking a pillion you need separate policies or couples insurance.

For the sake of £25 I think I will go for the premier cover and if I can't sort out 3rd party cover from here then just get the Morocco insurance at the border.

hth

-------
Patrick

 

[Count Pikey]

Thanks Patrick, my holiday insurance covers me for medical, repatriation etc, so I think I will just have to either try my own insurance broker or purchase some at the border.

 

[Bazzer66]

Planning Sheet Details

Chaps

I've just emailed Pete, Pat and Jeff the updated Planning Sheet with our contact details and outline itinerary that we discussed yesterday - hopefully he can upload it to Dropbox so we can have a live version we can access to update further. Unless you've done it previously, can Count Pikey (along with Brians) and Drew please PM their email addresses to Pete so he can insert them onto the sheet so that we can start emailing each other rather than use the Forum.

Next planning meet could be at the Ace Café Adventure Travel Day on Sun 22 Mar but i think only me and Jeff expressed an interest - unless anyone else has decided to go?

The next 2 decision points are whether we can get the overnight ferry on Monday from Malaga to Melilla and where to stop the night before (near Cordoba?) or if necessary near Algecira on Mon (I reckon the Holiday Inn Express?).

Cheers

Bazzer

 

[Neavey]

Just had a look on ferries.co.uk and there are no times for Malaga - Melila for May. There are times for April though, and a 7hr crossing leaves 23:00 and costs €75.


Regards,

~~~~~~
Patrick

 

[Count Pikey]

Just had a look on ferries.co.uk and there are no times for Malaga - Melila for May. There are times for April though, and a 7hr crossing leaves 23:00 and costs €75.


Regards,

~~~~~~
Patrick

Probably waiting for their summer time table as they are currently offering sailings up to a certain date.

 

[merlings1200]

Just had a look on ferries.co.uk and there are no times for Malaga - Melila for May. There are times for April though, and a 7hr crossing leaves 23:00 and costs €75.


Regards,

~~~~~~
Patrick

Why don't you ride from Malaga to Algeciras to catch the ferry to the new Tanger Med port in Morocco, the crossing is only 45mins
I just paid 85 euro return.

 

[GSTraveller]

I thought the plan was to just ride down to Malaga and see what's what. Plan A would be to hop on a ferry that night and failing that plan B would be to hotel it (Holiday Inn) somewhere near Algeciras. Either way we arrive in Moroc on the same date. Do we need to worry about booking anything beforehand? I thought we would just suck it and see on the day.

 

[GSTraveller]

Next planning meet could be at the Ace Café Adventure Travel Day on Sun 22 Mar but i think only me and Jeff expressed an interest - unless anyone else has decided to go?

Bazzer

Definitely up for Ace Cafe Mark. I think we got most of it ironed out on Sunday. Obviously I reckon we will just have to be flexible after the HUMM but at least we have way points to aim for. Another waypoint I saw yesterday was 'Cascade D'Ouzoud' Tim Culls mentioned it on another website. It's kind of on the way to Marrakech but on the northern side of the Atlas if that makes sense. If you google it, looks impressive. Also 'Dades Gorge' which is that classic switch back I'm sure you will all have seen in some pics. I haven't lined them all up on the map but they seem to all be in the right ball park for us.

On a separate note. Had anyone else seen the March Motor Madness event which is being held over the weekend of the Trail Fixes course. Its only £65 for the weekend and it looks as though you can dip in and out as you wish. I thought it might be an idea to tag on the back of the trail fixes maybe.

Pete

 

[merlings1200]

I thought the plan was to just ride down to Malaga and see what's what. Plan A would be to hop on a ferry that night and failing that plan B would be to hotel it (Holiday Inn) somewhere near Algeciras. Either way we arrive in Moroc on the same date. Do we need to worry about booking anything beforehand? I thought we would just suck it and see on the day.

If you are catching a ferry from UK to Santader why ride down to Malaga when you could take the A66 to Seville then take the AP4 to Algeciras, We did this route last year in a van loaded with 6 bikes. 10 hour drive through the night on your bikes it would be a lot quicker.
We will be taking the same route on April 11th with two vans this time.

 

[GSTraveller]

If you are catching a ferry from UK to Santader why ride down to Malaga when you could take the A66 to Seville then take the AP4 to Algeciras, We did this route last year in a van loaded with 6 bikes. 10 hour drive through the night on your bikes it would be a lot quicker.
We will be taking the same route on April 11th with two vans this time.

The original plan was to depart from Algeciras but one of our team mates mentioned it might be worth considering the ferry from Malaga only because it means we have accommodation and the boat ride all rolled into one. Whether we get the overnighter from Malaga or stay overnight near Algeciras, we still plan to arrive in Morocco on the same day. The big question is, which is the best entry point? I heard that Tangier Med was quieter with less hassle from touts.

 

[merlings1200]

Tangire Med port is very easy and to make it even quicker fill your temporary import form in on line and print it out, you will be through customs in less than 15 mins if you do this.

Also the ferry from Malaga to Morocco is nothing like Brittany Ferries!!