Only just caught up with this . Best ever start to a ride report 
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
- 3,580
- Reaction score
- 52
...went to Demnate and turned south to go over the atlas mountains. We were told the road was closed but........... In places it was a bit hard going untill 110km later when it got sunny...
Ah, the lovely R307. Still, nothing a GS can't handle.
Tim
Carnage
Guest
Failled in our attempt to find the sun. Been riding in blizzards, fog and rain. And have to report a XT600 was beating us to Morroco yesterday until we knocked him off :O).
Got though customs with only paying 30 cents :O) bribe. Think they felt sorry for us in the pissing rain. Then got ripped off in the first hotel we are staying in. We have so good clips of the trip so far but no time at the mo. Thanks Knock off for the updates (by the way he's the man for electrical goods)
Tip of the day don't take the boat to Bilbao it's bl**dy boring. Cost so far to get here, if you are thinking of doing this route, £180 + boat fair.
My job for the next three weeks to follow Gary with video cam to catch all his accidents, just to bring a smile to this forum.
Pete
Sat navs only usefull if you have recently updated them, otherwise you are riding through heards of grazing cows. seems like we are still put to shame with the dogged determination of the XT rider. He kept going so well that we suspected him of having a catheter fitted to avoid toilet brakes. He overtook us after every coffee and snack stop and we revelled in overtaking him again only to find him in front again later on. e must have spent the first night rubbing savlon into his bum cheeks.
Snow was a blinding pain, rain was better but all making us look forward to the sun and sand more.
We will update as soon as we have WIFI access again.
Total miles so far = 850
Best investment = Airhawk seats
Petes stress level 1 to 10 = 5 but did go up when the hotel changed the price after we unloaded our bikes.
Garys stress level 1 to 10 = 1 but he has a reputation of high stress, watch this space
Final comment, yes it was me getting out of the drive in the snow, yes it was up hill and yes i did let out a Urghhhh sound, life has got better since then and there is a later clip where I give up and plough up my grass in a bid to get out of the drive.
Gary
Jelous jelous and jelous...........nice one guys
The sun has come out here and the forecast is for 28 degrees c at the weekend.......wondered if anyone fancies a blat along camber sands in shorts and tee shirts
Nice blog.......I'm watching too........bastards
take care
Jonas
Carnage
Guest
Carnage
Guest
Ah, the lovely R307. Still, nothing a GS can't handle.
Tim
Hi Tim......think I met you down at Wessons and then went and got muddy around the lanes? If I'm right then hi!!
I was on a knackered CRM...........well I say on...............on and off
Jonas
Hi
Little problem today my front brake master clyinder is leeking (no front brake time)and I need to get one. Pete from the bikerhome can get one but would like a part number to order it. Any one got a part number (for an over hall kit)its for my 97 R1100gs. If you have and could text it to me on 0785084455three I would love you forever
Hi Jonas wish you were here as they say, but glad your CRMs not. About time you got a real bike. Hope all's well with you and you can stand up again.
Hi Tim yep nothing the GS couldn't do, but me.............. and they have had more snow and rain here than for years. All the routs over the mountains north of this were closed. Even the raod to Meknes from Ksar el kebir was closed at the river, due to floods. It was deeper than the top of my tank! At the road just north of Azrou we were stoped by police and turned back due to snow. We were trying to get to Ifrane. Still it,s all drying up now we're down here, just not sure if we can get back north by going to Merzouga and up to Mitelt, be a shame if we have to go up on the cost road. Oh well nothing more to do here than sit in the bar and plan tomorrow
Little problem today my front brake master clyinder is leeking (no front brake time)and I need to get one. Pete from the bikerhome can get one but would like a part number to order it. Any one got a part number (for an over hall kit)its for my 97 R1100gs. If you have and could text it to me on 0785084455three I would love you forever
Hi Jonas wish you were here as they say, but glad your CRMs not. About time you got a real bike. Hope all's well with you and you can stand up again.
Hi Tim yep nothing the GS couldn't do, but me.............. and they have had more snow and rain here than for years. All the routs over the mountains north of this were closed. Even the raod to Meknes from Ksar el kebir was closed at the river, due to floods. It was deeper than the top of my tank! At the road just north of Azrou we were stoped by police and turned back due to snow. We were trying to get to Ifrane. Still it,s all drying up now we're down here, just not sure if we can get back north by going to Merzouga and up to Mitelt, be a shame if we have to go up on the cost road. Oh well nothing more to do here than sit in the bar and plan tomorrow
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
- 3,580
- Reaction score
- 52
Peter emailed me a couple of days ago saying how bad it was elsewhere in Morocco. It's been nearly a year of below-normal weather now.
Still, look on the bright side, with all the rain there will be loads of flowers this coming Spring.
Tim
Still, look on the bright side, with all the rain there will be loads of flowers this coming Spring.
Tim
Knock off
Guest
parabatix
Guest
Jeez, must be one hell of a hangover- you been downing too many fermented donkey milks in that bar Pete?
Jonas, classic Keith one liner!
Carry on up the Kyber lads.
Andrew
Jonas, classic Keith one liner!
Carry on up the Kyber lads.
Andrew
Hi
Quick update.
Found the welsh XT rider. Think he's a trials rider he's so slow!
Fell off in a ford and you will be glad to know Gary was behind me filmimng, bastard. He got the whole thing and will post it soon unless I can delete it.
Oh and his GSA broke down off road. We started to strip the bike down to sort it while a youg girl (17 18yrs old) watched. Gary thought she was going to mug us as she played with a sling shot! Cliff asked her if he could take her picture but was answered with a snarl and a shake of the head, she went off to look after her heard by climbing a mountain with ease that would have made us all gasp for breath in the heat.
Now done 2500miles TKC's look a bit low but will get us back home. Today off to play in the sand again this time Ergchebbi.
Pete
Petes bike is now known as the Orange Submarine. He is moaning about a sore shoulder today but like the trooper he is, were going to the dunes today. Stayed yesterday in a hotel in the mountains, very cheap and with wood fired hot water and electric from a little generator which went off at 10pm. Great food though and all for 200dhs.
Nice to be starting today at a lower altitude and in the warm again.
Found Cliffs achillies heel, we just mention the burning of english holiday homes in Wales in the 80s, seems to cut him deep so of course Pete and I will be refraining.....not!
Quick update.
Found the welsh XT rider. Think he's a trials rider he's so slow!
Fell off in a ford and you will be glad to know Gary was behind me filmimng, bastard. He got the whole thing and will post it soon unless I can delete it.
Oh and his GSA broke down off road. We started to strip the bike down to sort it while a youg girl (17 18yrs old) watched. Gary thought she was going to mug us as she played with a sling shot! Cliff asked her if he could take her picture but was answered with a snarl and a shake of the head, she went off to look after her heard by climbing a mountain with ease that would have made us all gasp for breath in the heat.
Now done 2500miles TKC's look a bit low but will get us back home. Today off to play in the sand again this time Ergchebbi.
Pete
Petes bike is now known as the Orange Submarine. He is moaning about a sore shoulder today but like the trooper he is, were going to the dunes today. Stayed yesterday in a hotel in the mountains, very cheap and with wood fired hot water and electric from a little generator which went off at 10pm. Great food though and all for 200dhs.
Nice to be starting today at a lower altitude and in the warm again.
Found Cliffs achillies heel, we just mention the burning of english holiday homes in Wales in the 80s, seems to cut him deep so of course Pete and I will be refraining.....not!
Knock off
Guest
Jeez, must be one hell of a hangover- you been downing too many fermented donkey milks in that bar Pete?
Jonas, classic Keith one liner!
Carry on up the Kyber lads.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
You probably won't remember me but i met you in Pete's workshop once.
They seemed to be having a great time down there don't they.
Have you been out on that Dakar and getting some practise in for May, i am assuming you are going that is.
I am the on the superbikeservices trip page at the top with the 1150gs and look a little like ali gee according to pete.
Nice to see he goes half way around the world and still winding people up.
They must be having fun as i am not getting as many texts and pics.
That quote about Keith was spot on. He,He
parabatix
Guest
'You probably won't remember me but i met you in Pete's workshop once.'
Kin ell Nige, I'm not that old n crusty- it was only couple of months ago!
The dakar's brill- can't get enough of it. Only dropped it three times already- every time outside my own house
.
Not sure about the may trip- it all depends if Gary or Pete end up falling in love with a camel over there. If that happens we're in the shit! (just like them
Looking forward to the off road weekend tho should be a
Later
Andrew
Kin ell Nige, I'm not that old n crusty- it was only couple of months ago!
The dakar's brill- can't get enough of it. Only dropped it three times already- every time outside my own house
.Not sure about the may trip- it all depends if Gary or Pete end up falling in love with a camel over there. If that happens we're in the shit! (just like them
Looking forward to the off road weekend tho should be a
Later
Andrew
Had to find a wifi place to let you know todays score.
Gary fell twice
Me 0
Taff 3 times
Then Gary and Taff rode down a rive bed and both got stuck, had to get the locals to dig them out :O)
Only got gary on video once falling off
Gary fell twice
Me 0
Taff 3 times
Then Gary and Taff rode down a rive bed and both got stuck, had to get the locals to dig them out :O)
Only got gary on video once falling off
james.germany
Guest
wow this is more insperational than ted simon
keep enjoying it boys
keep enjoying it boys
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Rv693OlUIg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Rv693OlUIg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Update for yesterday Tuesday 17th. Greeat day. got up to a hearty breakfast in our plush hotel costing 18 quid a night. Cliff opted for the 9 pound Auberge just up the road but for the saving of 9 pounds you dont get luxuries like food, dancing girls and aircon. A great head waiter told us of a track to the big dunes so we all met at about 9am, left all the bags and panniers in the room and set off. Track was awesome, seeing glimpses if the dunes in the distance for most of the way. Got to the first hurdle, a washed out road and an Oasis. Of course we could have easily gone round it but being GSers we opted to go through it. Firstly Cliff dropped it so we revelled in photographing that then Pete gave instructions on how to get over safely...... Great, that ended up in 2 of us stuck hub deep in sticky mud. Pete maintains he did it for the photos and never got his bike muddy. After 30 mins of struggling some locals came with a pick and shovell and we got out. Pete video recorded the lot so it will be on line as soon as we can. Then all across the sensible way. Got to a deep sand section just before the Dunes Kasbah and it knackered us. Pete and I made it panting almost to exhaustion but so sattisfied. Cliff took the road after getting help from a 4x4. We chatted to a family selling camels made of old socks, probably smelly ones discarded from the last bikers passing thro. Got to the dunes, amazing place then opted for the road with tarmack on the return. Turned wrong and into a very Muslim village, great footage and got escorted to the exit by a man on a push bike, lost Cliff but in the end a great day. more to follow
Gary
Gary
Stefan_Hartslaine
Guest
Gary sent me a text back on the 13th to let me know about his & Pete's blog and only just thought about looking it up so apologies for the delay. Gary also mentioned the following in his text -
"Got to the desert today. Pete definately has ... (will omit this bit). He managed to get some rough hooch last night and when invited to join the arabs sing song he declined until they said they had whisky there, then got covered in his sand trail."
Glad to see you guys are having a real hoot. Poor old keith does come in for some stick
(but in all fairness it did make me chuckle).
Just to let you know (Gary) hot tub is fine. Having fun keeping the ph in check. Would probably help if I stopped pissing in it. Godspeed to you both!
"Got to the desert today. Pete definately has ... (will omit this bit). He managed to get some rough hooch last night and when invited to join the arabs sing song he declined until they said they had whisky there, then got covered in his sand trail."
Glad to see you guys are having a real hoot. Poor old keith does come in for some stick
(but in all fairness it did make me chuckle). Just to let you know (Gary) hot tub is fine. Having fun keeping the ph in check. Would probably help if I stopped pissing in it. Godspeed to you both!
Nick_Zigzag
Guest
Glad your having a good time you Basta*ds! so what broke on Gary's bike then?? enjoy the rest of the trip and i'll see you both soon, and no rubbing it in - as if!!!!
Nick
Nick
Surviving the Riff
Thursday morning, got bup and the conversation went .....
where now, I dont know look at the map. There is a great track on the med coast but its over the Riff mountains. We have been told by more than one person that you cant do this route it is dangerous. We paused for a while and thought. Are we GSers or not and what does the A stand for in GSA ?
So a few hours later we left the heat of the desert and headded for the Riff. Pete had the map and we were doing great. Snow on the atlas slowed us a bit and by 5pm we were looking for a hotel just south of the Riff, having passed the comparative comfort of Fez with its warm bars and first class hotels. Headding north hoping for a hotel we got to XXXXXX and couldnt find a hotel. Asking a friendly police man Pete said in his best French Hotel? the reply was harsh " are you English? there are no hotels here for you!!" F**K no not here its getting dark and were not sure of the route. Heading more north we took a road we thought was ok. Pitch dark and lost we were flagged down by the Police. Turns out we are not on the road we thought but right in the middle of the Hashish barrons lair in the Riff, Now we were worried! Too manly to let each other know we just turned round and headded back into the darkness to the town where there are no hotels for Brits! Passed the only one we could see and down hill, Possibly having to get to Fez which was another 50 miles in the dark on narrow bendy roads. Slowed down by the Rose hotel and as expected a man appeared (like the man from Mr Ben) he assured us his hotel was good and safe. 300dhs for the night seemed ok and he promised us he would look after the bikes. Room was ok and leaning out of the window at a stretch we could see the bikes, which given the addition of half a desk top we had managed to get them up an 18 inch kerb to the door to the reception. Laying in bed in my bag trying to relax, thoughts of being abducted in the night, pete couldnt rest. Keeping his eye on the bikes and listening to all the noise outside. We went to the adjoining cafe and had the only food they could offer. Stale bread and laughing cow cheese, yummy! I fell asleep and was aware at times of Pete leaning out of the window. 5am and Pete saw a "monkey" sitting on his bike. Now not one to shy away from confrontation Pete went down, Chucked him off and woke the security to tell them. Then daylight came, We were apprehensive as we knew it was either back to Fez and the safe way or North. Conversation went " what do you think" " its up to you" well it ended up heading north as you could have guessed.
The mood with us was fixed. The mood of the locals was most definately on the Hashish they wanted to sell. Even Peter form Bikers Home had heard stories of dealers running tourists off the road to sell to them. And of course we had read Tims report too. Heading up to the bad area we were resolute and determined to get through. Pete even used the phrase " its early we will be up before the dealers"! God whats he thinking, these are dealers with knives and guns, not the local types that sign on on a Tuesday and and dont get up till their Mum makes breakfast. Thinking we were doing well we hit a junction, F**K its still 120 miles to the relative safety of the low lands. We had to keep going. We have plenty of fuel and were riding as fast as our experience and scrubbed out tyres would let us. The towns were few and far between but hostile, friendly whistles were replaced by shouts and offers of buying the local weed. Dirty dusty places where you were sure Police wouldnt come if we needed them, S**T we werte deep in it now. Counting the miles and working out how far left was keeping us going, some quick footage on the cameras then off again. We were scared but not admitting it. Even Mr confident Pete was quiet. Looking at every car that passed, is this the one that confronts us? Mercs, Golf GTI what was it going to be. We were sure we would have to confornt one and were both forming plans in our heads on how to beat them. Eventually dropping lower to a safe area we were calmer. Shouts turned to boys willing us to Wheelie and making revving gestures. The mood lightened. Stopped at last for breakfast at almost mid day and time to look over the bikes and adjust the faulty clutch on Petes bike.
Heading more north eventually to the port. Peace at last and easily through the border.
Sitting writing this in a bar in southern Spain with great beer, good toiets and conversing with two great GS owners in Spain.
Were we right to do the Riff? possibly not. Were we in danger, Definately yes. was it fun, totally.
We ride GSs and there is a letter after that A yes adventure. Our bikes have earned the right to wear the "A" Has yours!!!
Gary
Wow Gary was scared. Me I wanted to fight
Glad to be out of Morocco again. I was there two years ago and left as soon as I could. This time its the same, hastell from everone and everyone wants what you have. We had loads of fun riding the piste and off road all over, but the hastell is to much. (Hastell spelt by Gary, Ive had to much to drink)
Looking forward to riding with friends in eastern europe much more than putting up with the monkeys here.
But wow what a great time I have had and thanks to Gary a great bloke to ride with.
Pete
PS for that he says I can have great sex tonight so I take it back
Thursday morning, got bup and the conversation went .....
where now, I dont know look at the map. There is a great track on the med coast but its over the Riff mountains. We have been told by more than one person that you cant do this route it is dangerous. We paused for a while and thought. Are we GSers or not and what does the A stand for in GSA ?
So a few hours later we left the heat of the desert and headded for the Riff. Pete had the map and we were doing great. Snow on the atlas slowed us a bit and by 5pm we were looking for a hotel just south of the Riff, having passed the comparative comfort of Fez with its warm bars and first class hotels. Headding north hoping for a hotel we got to XXXXXX and couldnt find a hotel. Asking a friendly police man Pete said in his best French Hotel? the reply was harsh " are you English? there are no hotels here for you!!" F**K no not here its getting dark and were not sure of the route. Heading more north we took a road we thought was ok. Pitch dark and lost we were flagged down by the Police. Turns out we are not on the road we thought but right in the middle of the Hashish barrons lair in the Riff, Now we were worried! Too manly to let each other know we just turned round and headded back into the darkness to the town where there are no hotels for Brits! Passed the only one we could see and down hill, Possibly having to get to Fez which was another 50 miles in the dark on narrow bendy roads. Slowed down by the Rose hotel and as expected a man appeared (like the man from Mr Ben) he assured us his hotel was good and safe. 300dhs for the night seemed ok and he promised us he would look after the bikes. Room was ok and leaning out of the window at a stretch we could see the bikes, which given the addition of half a desk top we had managed to get them up an 18 inch kerb to the door to the reception. Laying in bed in my bag trying to relax, thoughts of being abducted in the night, pete couldnt rest. Keeping his eye on the bikes and listening to all the noise outside. We went to the adjoining cafe and had the only food they could offer. Stale bread and laughing cow cheese, yummy! I fell asleep and was aware at times of Pete leaning out of the window. 5am and Pete saw a "monkey" sitting on his bike. Now not one to shy away from confrontation Pete went down, Chucked him off and woke the security to tell them. Then daylight came, We were apprehensive as we knew it was either back to Fez and the safe way or North. Conversation went " what do you think" " its up to you" well it ended up heading north as you could have guessed.
The mood with us was fixed. The mood of the locals was most definately on the Hashish they wanted to sell. Even Peter form Bikers Home had heard stories of dealers running tourists off the road to sell to them. And of course we had read Tims report too. Heading up to the bad area we were resolute and determined to get through. Pete even used the phrase " its early we will be up before the dealers"! God whats he thinking, these are dealers with knives and guns, not the local types that sign on on a Tuesday and and dont get up till their Mum makes breakfast. Thinking we were doing well we hit a junction, F**K its still 120 miles to the relative safety of the low lands. We had to keep going. We have plenty of fuel and were riding as fast as our experience and scrubbed out tyres would let us. The towns were few and far between but hostile, friendly whistles were replaced by shouts and offers of buying the local weed. Dirty dusty places where you were sure Police wouldnt come if we needed them, S**T we werte deep in it now. Counting the miles and working out how far left was keeping us going, some quick footage on the cameras then off again. We were scared but not admitting it. Even Mr confident Pete was quiet. Looking at every car that passed, is this the one that confronts us? Mercs, Golf GTI what was it going to be. We were sure we would have to confornt one and were both forming plans in our heads on how to beat them. Eventually dropping lower to a safe area we were calmer. Shouts turned to boys willing us to Wheelie and making revving gestures. The mood lightened. Stopped at last for breakfast at almost mid day and time to look over the bikes and adjust the faulty clutch on Petes bike.
Heading more north eventually to the port. Peace at last and easily through the border.
Sitting writing this in a bar in southern Spain with great beer, good toiets and conversing with two great GS owners in Spain.
Were we right to do the Riff? possibly not. Were we in danger, Definately yes. was it fun, totally.
We ride GSs and there is a letter after that A yes adventure. Our bikes have earned the right to wear the "A" Has yours!!!
Gary
Wow Gary was scared. Me I wanted to fight
Glad to be out of Morocco again. I was there two years ago and left as soon as I could. This time its the same, hastell from everone and everyone wants what you have. We had loads of fun riding the piste and off road all over, but the hastell is to much. (Hastell spelt by Gary, Ive had to much to drink)
Looking forward to riding with friends in eastern europe much more than putting up with the monkeys here.
But wow what a great time I have had and thanks to Gary a great bloke to ride with.
Pete
PS for that he says I can have great sex tonight so I take it back
