Wear the Fox hat!
- Thread starter GSTraveller
- Start date
GSTraveller
Registered user
So we finally made it. We left around 9ish. An interesting night, great hosts and a lovely omelette breakfast. They had also adopted a small desert fox which was kind of cute but very timid.
We headed south through the Rif along a small winding tarmac road. The views again were simply stunning. We climbed the mountains heading south and as we arrived in the flatter lands the temperature slowly climbed to 45 degrees. I've got to say, I expected it to be hot and I've experienced this kind of heat in the past under different circumstances but riding a bike in full gear through it is something else. The amazing thing is we weren't even as far south as Fes.
Fes appeared over the horizon and it was an awe inspiring site but time was ticking on, the heat was intense and we had the breifing to make at 6.
We arrived in Ifrane and I was glad to see the temperature had gone down to a chilli 32 degrees!
We booked in, got our free T-Shirts and immediately hit the showers.
23 riders and a total of 9 teams receive their map packs at 8am tomorrow and then the fun finally begins.
Pics to follow (wifi is slow!)
We headed south through the Rif along a small winding tarmac road. The views again were simply stunning. We climbed the mountains heading south and as we arrived in the flatter lands the temperature slowly climbed to 45 degrees. I've got to say, I expected it to be hot and I've experienced this kind of heat in the past under different circumstances but riding a bike in full gear through it is something else. The amazing thing is we weren't even as far south as Fes.
Fes appeared over the horizon and it was an awe inspiring site but time was ticking on, the heat was intense and we had the breifing to make at 6.
We arrived in Ifrane and I was glad to see the temperature had gone down to a chilli 32 degrees!
We booked in, got our free T-Shirts and immediately hit the showers.
23 riders and a total of 9 teams receive their map packs at 8am tomorrow and then the fun finally begins.
Pics to follow (wifi is slow!)
GSTraveller
Registered user
No pics I'm afraid. The wifi is far too slow here and you can only upload in the lobby so pics will come after.
We were given our map books at 8 this morning and immediately set about plotting the various points on the map to help identify where we needed to be heading.
We set off in search of our first tags and soon we were on the piste. The terrain seems to be predominantly rocky here in the Mid Atlas so that's what you end up spending most of your time dealing with.
Only one puncture in the team so far and a couple of light falls but on the whole the team finished in good form. One bike amongst the riders has already suffered a failed clutch (Triumph Tiger).
All in all, not much to write home about. The temp ranged between 31 to 37 so not too warm.
Tomorrow we try to go further afield to gain more points.
Time for some beer!
We were given our map books at 8 this morning and immediately set about plotting the various points on the map to help identify where we needed to be heading.
We set off in search of our first tags and soon we were on the piste. The terrain seems to be predominantly rocky here in the Mid Atlas so that's what you end up spending most of your time dealing with.
Only one puncture in the team so far and a couple of light falls but on the whole the team finished in good form. One bike amongst the riders has already suffered a failed clutch (Triumph Tiger).
All in all, not much to write home about. The temp ranged between 31 to 37 so not too warm.
Tomorrow we try to go further afield to gain more points.
Time for some beer!
GSTraveller
Registered user
Day 2 of the HUMM and unknowingly we were off on a 78 mile hike across country. The hardest part of the event seems to be identifying the very old pistes on which we find the tags. Of course using a 70 year old map doesn't help much but it's all we have been given so you are very much reliant on a compass and reading the landscape. We have spent hours going up and down tracks looking for almost nonexistent trails but we managed to find most and hopefully have managed to rake in some much needed points today.
It has been a long hard couple of days so far with nearly 10 hours in the saddle but luckily the temperature up here in the Mid Atlas had stayed around the mid 20s.
Highlight of the day had to be seeing the monkeys. Fascinating just to see them hanging around in the forest, if only we could have asked them directions!
It really is a beautiful area around Ifrane. The town itself seems very modern and westernised, you could easily be in the Swiss Alps if it was for all the donkeys and sheep everywhere.
Sorry for the lack of photos. The wifi here is terrible but hopefully when I move on from here on Sunday I'll be able to post a few at my next location.
The bike seems to be holding up. It seems to rattle when you Rev it or when it nearly stalls which is quite unnerving and there is a strange pulsing sensation which I hope is the tyres and I may have a slow puncture but not quite sure. I've got 'bar' up on the dash which I assume means I do. Who knows but fingers crossed it gets me home.
Final day tomorrow and right now it's time for a beer.
It has been a long hard couple of days so far with nearly 10 hours in the saddle but luckily the temperature up here in the Mid Atlas had stayed around the mid 20s.
Highlight of the day had to be seeing the monkeys. Fascinating just to see them hanging around in the forest, if only we could have asked them directions!
It really is a beautiful area around Ifrane. The town itself seems very modern and westernised, you could easily be in the Swiss Alps if it was for all the donkeys and sheep everywhere.
Sorry for the lack of photos. The wifi here is terrible but hopefully when I move on from here on Sunday I'll be able to post a few at my next location.
The bike seems to be holding up. It seems to rattle when you Rev it or when it nearly stalls which is quite unnerving and there is a strange pulsing sensation which I hope is the tyres and I may have a slow puncture but not quite sure. I've got 'bar' up on the dash which I assume means I do. Who knows but fingers crossed it gets me home.
Final day tomorrow and right now it's time for a beer.
GSTraveller
Registered user
Cheers for the support chaps. Up early this morning for the final day. After a good days collecting tags, team Wrong Direction moved up in the league yesterday to everyone's surprise which may mean we are in the trophies depending on where we sit within our category. We can't win it as 2 teams have nearly got all the tags and we simply couldn't locate some. The team will be departing at 8 sharp (Morocco time is the same as UK time) in the hope of bagging a trophy. Watch this space.
GSTraveller
Registered user
THIRD!! Third overall in our class and we bagged ourselves a trophy. Awesome event, great day, long day but a great day. You only seem to get to grips with the navigation in the later stages but it paid off. A bit of sprinting was involved and I think all of us dropped our bikes more than once today but it was worth it. I have a trophy for my mantle peace. Just want to thank Vines BMW for accepting my big fat cheque, my mum and dad, my beautiful wife for letting me take part and of course my team mates. Top drawer.
Anyway, the journey now continues. Onwards to Erg Chebbi and beyond. Stay tuned.
Anyway, the journey now continues. Onwards to Erg Chebbi and beyond. Stay tuned.
GSTraveller
Registered user
And so, we decided to have a relaxed morning yesterday and didn't check out until gone 12 which in hindsight was probably a bad idea. Team Wrong Direction was now down a team member as Jeff had to head home via Portugal and Pikey and his team who were meant to be joining us to head south also turned around and headed north due to a nasty stomach upset which seemed to affect a few people although the offending source could not be traced. So then there were three plus our newest travel partner Gerry.
We were making a break for Erg Chebbi but didn't want to push the pace so Gerry heading south at Mach 10 and said he would meet us there. In the end the journey took the best part of 8 hours to travel just 150 miles which is to be expected when you rarely punch above 60mph. There are police in every town almost.
The ride south was a visual feast, not just the landscape but everything you see going on around it. So much to take in, especially when it's your first time here. It's also true what Moon was saying on another thread about the locals popping up out of nowhere. Bazzer was way ahead and decided to stop at the side of the road to take a picture. On one side a sheer cliff and on the other a valley. As I was riding down the road towards him, suddenly out of absolutely nowhere, a guy in a white rope pops out and tries to sell his wears. Needless to say, I'm a Euro short and in possession of a lovely grass woven camel!
Anyway, by the time we made it to the sandy flats near Merzouga, the sun had just about set but we hadn't managed to properly locate the hotel yet. We were heading for the Cafe Auberge Du Sud. It looked amazing online and we were adamant we would make it. The last 20 minutes of our journey saw us following a young guy on a moped through the desert into the pitch black for the best part of 8kms. Turns out we had over shot the hotel and if it hadn't been for a guide there is a good chance we might never have found it. Best 200 Dirhams I've ever spent! Within 5 minutes we were in the pool and had some beers on order from the local village. Another cracking days riding.
The wifi isn't great but I have managed to upload a few pics from the event which I will try and upload.
We were making a break for Erg Chebbi but didn't want to push the pace so Gerry heading south at Mach 10 and said he would meet us there. In the end the journey took the best part of 8 hours to travel just 150 miles which is to be expected when you rarely punch above 60mph. There are police in every town almost.
The ride south was a visual feast, not just the landscape but everything you see going on around it. So much to take in, especially when it's your first time here. It's also true what Moon was saying on another thread about the locals popping up out of nowhere. Bazzer was way ahead and decided to stop at the side of the road to take a picture. On one side a sheer cliff and on the other a valley. As I was riding down the road towards him, suddenly out of absolutely nowhere, a guy in a white rope pops out and tries to sell his wears. Needless to say, I'm a Euro short and in possession of a lovely grass woven camel!
Anyway, by the time we made it to the sandy flats near Merzouga, the sun had just about set but we hadn't managed to properly locate the hotel yet. We were heading for the Cafe Auberge Du Sud. It looked amazing online and we were adamant we would make it. The last 20 minutes of our journey saw us following a young guy on a moped through the desert into the pitch black for the best part of 8kms. Turns out we had over shot the hotel and if it hadn't been for a guide there is a good chance we might never have found it. Best 200 Dirhams I've ever spent! Within 5 minutes we were in the pool and had some beers on order from the local village. Another cracking days riding.
The wifi isn't great but I have managed to upload a few pics from the event which I will try and upload.
GSTraveller
Registered user
Me parked in a lake:
GSTraveller
Registered user
Me parked up a mountain:
Me parked next to a tree:
Heading into a quarry which turned out to be a dead end and a bitch to get out of:
Jeff and I managed it:
The team parked in the lake!
Me parked next to a tree:
Jeff tackling a particularly difficult bit:
Me parked next to a tree:
Heading into a quarry which turned out to be a dead end and a bitch to get out of:
Jeff and I managed it:
The team parked in the lake!
Me parked next to a tree:
Jeff tackling a particularly difficult bit:
GSTraveller
Registered user
Another particularly tricky bit (a giant rock in a grassy field):
The maps we were using (dated 1947):
The tag locations and clues;
Finally, the third place trophy:
Oh and a monkey for good measure:
It was an awesome event and a fantastic experience. Sadly there may not be another in Morocco due to the limited up take and consequential loss made but if there is another, I will definitely be there again.
The maps we were using (dated 1947):
The tag locations and clues;
Finally, the third place trophy:
Oh and a monkey for good measure:
It was an awesome event and a fantastic experience. Sadly there may not be another in Morocco due to the limited up take and consequential loss made but if there is another, I will definitely be there again.
GSTraveller
Registered user
A days ride south and we finally made it to here:
The views were breathtaking. You will have seen the pictures (including these) but to see it with your own eyes is something else:
You feel so small when looking out across the landscape:
This was a particular favourite of mine:
The views were breathtaking. You will have seen the pictures (including these) but to see it with your own eyes is something else:
You feel so small when looking out across the landscape:
This was a particular favourite of mine:
GSTraveller
Registered user
And so to the reason we pushed on so hard to get here last night:
That's how dark it was when we finally arrived and I was in that within 5 minutes no less with the beers arriving 15 minutes later!
That's how dark it was when we finally arrived and I was in that within 5 minutes no less with the beers arriving 15 minutes later!
GSTraveller
Registered user
Today we have been taking it easy and kicking back in the hotel. We are planning a nice route north taking I some of the more obvious sites but for now, chilling out by the pool and messing about in the dunes is the order of the day:
Can you blame us? Popped out to lunch at a local cafe nearby and saw a few of the local wildlife on route:
Maybe not so wild but still. Omelette tagene for lunch:
Nice little place;
Also went for a walk in the sand:
Here's where we are staying. Our little oasis:
Can you blame us? Popped out to lunch at a local cafe nearby and saw a few of the local wildlife on route:
Maybe not so wild but still. Omelette tagene for lunch:
Nice little place;
Also went for a walk in the sand:
Here's where we are staying. Our little oasis:
GSTraveller
Registered user
Finally, Gerry and I decided to have a go at dune riding, needless to say we didn't get very far. You should have seen the Moroccon guy in it though!:
More updates later when I can find better wifi.
More updates later when I can find better wifi.
GSTraveller
Registered user
Last thing before I shoot. For my baby girl;
Marc made it all the way to Erg Chebbi. Can he make it all the way back?
Marc made it all the way to Erg Chebbi. Can he make it all the way back?
Count Pikey
Registered user
Well done boys, back in Brians villa now, the pictures look great. Feel a lot better today and will head north tomorrow then back to pyrenees. Really enjoyed my blast with gerry, I do feel pissed off that I never made it down to erg, by hey ho maybe another year. It was nice to see all the gang again and relieved that you all made it through ok. Kath seems to have caught my bug now so turning back was the right decision. Keep the updates coming adventurers......
Similar threads
