World of BMW Moroccan Desert Adventure Oct 08

[Tractorpilot]

Part 3

Day 06 – Off road round Ifrane
Friday 3rd October 2008
No tarmac under these wheels, Mint Tea Farm, The Hill, Apres-bike

Today was an off road day and we followed a long circular route through Cedar forests, open pasture land and boulder fields with linking road runs. Ideal Beemer territory.

Not long after we left the road we pulled up to let the group which had strung out a bit reassemble.

In what became typical, less than two minutes after we stopped someone appeared. He wanted a cigarette for having a picture taken so the only smoker was bullied into parting company with a duty free!

On through the woods and meadowlands we continued. It was easy to get strung out, six bikes in the shot below but already at least one person has climbed the opposite side of the valley.

All the more reason for the regular stops allow us to regroup and rehydrate,

to take in the view,

and get that pic for the album.

At lunch time we pulled over just after a farmhouse to munch down the rolls we had prepared at breakfast.

Sure enough someone appeared, the farmer. He insisted that all 15 of us come to his house for Mint Tea and something to eat. This was our first experience of Moroccan generosity which was fantastic and humbling. With boots removed and fortunately unsmelly feet

we washed our hands

and were served Mint Tea and bread fresh from the oven. It was a delightful experience.

After lunch it was back from the farm to the bikes

to find out what lay around the next corner...

We pressed on and the road opened to reveal a dry stream bed to cross. Gerald demonstrated how it should be done. I am lurking behind a tree to the right, thinking better watch carefully how to do it...

This was my first proper clang of the holiday as I did not give it enough grunt to fight through the rocks in the stream bed. As with others before, everyone rallies round and the bike is soon up and back on the track and I completed the rest of the stretch

followed by a climb up the rock strewn track without incident. I think this is Hamish completing the top of the climb.

Everyone else made it up the slope too. A great combination of teamwork and coaching with a smidgeon of luck!

We continued through similar territory. Now this is a great pic of Kev but look in the background as the bikes are spaced out along the track far enough apart not to get dust blinded and able to see their route ahead 20-25m in front. I make it 9 bikes in the pic.

on again

then a bit on the roads

until we were back in the boulder fields

before a road run back to Ifrane, dinner and a trip to the bar we had found in the town for an apres-trail drink or two.

Did I say there was one smoker?

I should have already pointed out that while some of the photos are mine more are taken by other members of the party and credit is due for their skills whilst editorial up-f*** are mine

The kilometerage? (can't be bothered converting it) 217km in 7h40m from 1500m above sea level to just under 2100m.

Waving the white flag now - enough for one night. Will try to add a bit more tomorrow.

Cheers
TP

 

[easyman05]

cool pixs and great ride!

few words about F800GS, pls!

 

[Tractorpilot]

More to come including F800GS pics

Comment for now is: - it did everything the others did without any problems.

samuelsnow was the one riding it. PM him for further info or see if he wants to post anything further

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Part 4 - To the desert

Day 07 – Ifrane to Erfoud
Saturday 4th October 2008
Long road run across the Atlas to the desert

Over the High Atlas today to Erfoud. We had to climb from Ifrane a bit more than 1.6km above sea level up about another 500m before dropping to 830m above sea level at the end of the run. We crossed the Mid, High and Anti-Atlas mountains to reach Erfoud near the Erg Chebbi sand sea. Today was a longer run in increasing temperatures to get south, about 350km.

The run started with a quick checkover of the bikes after yesterday's various excursions and the main issues were a couple of tyres that needed sorting and some slightly 'reconfigured' screen mounting arrangements which needed 'adjusting'. The hotel patio briefly became Tyres'R'Us then we were ready to go.

For the run to Erfoud we split into smaller parties rather than riding in one big group of 15. Navigationally, once we got out of Ifrane augie) it was straightforward. So off we went each group travelling at a pace that suited them.

Slowly the outline of the High Atlas with snow in places became clearer as we travelled south.

We stopped for lunch at Midelt (I think).

Chicken and chips with a bottle of coca-cola for those participating. I gave it a miss apart from the drink today as I had been getting stomach cramps etc popping pills and riding with buttocks carefully clenched! I tend to try and work on the basis that you take the precautions, you make sure you have the medication and then get on with it.

So let's get on with it. The main feature of the day's ride prior to arriving in Erfoud was the Gorge du Ziz through the Atlas mountains

and

where the road follows the course of the river which irrigates the land

supplying the Kasbah's,

forts

and palmeries.

We arrived at our hotel in the evening, the Hotel Kasbah Xaluca and I was impressed with the place. Nothing Fawlty Towers here!

The rooms were arranged in a series of courtyard blocks

around a central patio/garden area with pool

plenty of space

This area generates a lot of tourist income from fossils - a motif extended to the washing arrangements

Overall, the combination of cramps and the hot ride took a lot out of me that day and after a short chill at the bar - retired fairly early to get a good rest before tomorrow's event: out to the Erg Chebbi sand sea to try riding in deep sand, take camels on deeper into the dunes then stay overnight in tents before returning the next morning.

But you will have to wait for that!

TP

 

[samuelsnow]

cool pixs and great ride!

few words about F800GS, pls!

Ill stick a report in the 800/650 twin section but for now Ill just say the F800GS performed impeccably! Even fully loaded it comfortably kept up with the 1200's in terms of cruising speed and was fantastic fun off road where it really came into its own.

 

[Tractorpilot]

Part the fifth

Day 08 – Erfoud to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi
Sunday 5th October 2008

Sand, Camels, Music, Tent

The day dawned bright - no surprises there then. Unfortunately for me bright had not summed up my state of mind the previous evening when I got off the bike feeling slightly sick - I had neglected to switch off the riding lights which run direct from the battery and - yeah, flat battery. I realised this after having spent a somewhat uncomfortable night with my misbehaving innards. The bottom didn't fall out of my world - the reverse is closer to the truth.

So no, I was not sharpest tool in the box that day. I decided the powers were telling me that it was not meant that I bike that day - neither of us were fit. I could almost see the f**k-up fairy waiting to come calling and sprinkle about the f**k-up dust..

Well, all was not lost, the hotel was able to get the battery on charge and there was a way I could go along.

The plans for the day were to travel out to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes by bike, have lunch and then camel trek into the dunes to overnight in bedouin tents. A 4x4 was also going to the auberge where we were meeting the camels and so popped full of pills etc I was able to hop on and do some filming and photography. The results (some of them) are shown below. Youtube video should follow later.

On the way out to Erg Chebbi we were warned that there had been rain recently and conditions were unclear but we crossed the river (Ziz) OK

- it was not high or fast and then we climbed a gravel track up a rocky promenance to look out over Erfoud.
The river Ziz coming round

to Erfoud

Just liked this shot of the F800GS in the kind of place it belongs. Likes right at home doesn't it?

After that it was out to Merzouga. Which way? Well - follow the tarmac...

and keep going!

Big skies...

Ride your own route - look closely there is a second bike in the background.

Starting to enjoy this...

All the shots in this blog are straight from the card - no artificial enhancements! Just fun riding.

Now Gerald knew exactly where the camera was. Look at the puddles too.

I included this pic because the blur is indicative of the combined speed and bumps - we were none of us hanging about.

one of Blue Sweeper's

more of mine

Blue Sweeper.

Now that's a whole lotta nuthin'

So what's the fuss about? I do it every day.
Not one of mine (Nigel's?) but I loved it.

After some great 'point and pray' photo opportunities we arrived at the auberge by the dunes.

More in an hour or two...
TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Part the sixth

Day 08 continued...

So we arrived at the Auberge

parked up the bikes

and had a bite to eat

followed by a play on the bikes for a bit in the sand,

and/or a siesta

or whatever you preferred

then get cleaned up and do the Lawrence of Arabia bit.

Shame we didn't have anyone called Lawrence in the group.

After lunch, the judging panel assembled for a festival of foolery and folly.

ready to cast their experienced eyes

over the feeble attempts of some of the group

to successfully manouvre or manhandle their mechanical steeds through the soft stuff

Some people seemed to find it easier than others

Nick seemed to breeze through without effort

Others were diggin it out...

5.9 for artistic impression on this one - a new move for the 800!

The elegant reclining and the shoddy parking in this one are misleading

It is in fact Stuart Austin - the 6,000,000 dirham man. He had busted 3 ribs in this dismount although none of us realised it at the time. We can rebuild him!! Where's the gaffer tape and cable ties? Fair play he continued through the rest of the holiday and only got confirmation of the condition after returned.

Alex was having a go and seemed to be getting the hang of it well

until he disappeared over a dune and it was only as we prepared to send out a search party that he reappeared. Easy to get disorientated and get bogged down out of site.

To be fair I have to say these guys were doing it - I just watched. Respect.

Of course as soon as the 800 was unoccupied it was too much of a temptation for David who decided judging didn't deliver enough fun

When he came back I think he was muttering something along the lines of "No, no more - it's too much fun"

So it's time to clean up and kick start a camel or whatever you do


Next time

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 08 - the next bit

I mentioned earlier there had been some rain and we were watching the sky closely. The signs were there that we might actually have a thunderstorm in the desert - that would be something special

Once everyone was mounted up we set off.

Roy of the Desert - complete with GPS to check where we were!

Err - put your own caption on this one!

So... you think the camel is cute?

We trekked for a couple of hours with various anatomical parts feeling increasingly tender then increasingly numb! After two hours we were off the camels to trek the last part over a large dune to the camp.

Hard work in the sand and it was more bloody mindedness than stamina that got me up the last bit.

The storm was still hovering out there. As the evening drew on, it closed round three sides of us giving a spectacular lightning show but miraculously we remained dry.

and finally down the slope to the camp

After cleaning up at the camp dinner was being prepared

Healthy appetites all round

followed by Berber music

No comments from me on the next set of photos by Carl. I just think they are too good to leave out.

and that was it for the night.

More later

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 09 - Back to Erfoud
Monday 6th October 2008

Chill

I woke up pretty early this morning hoping to see a sunrise in the desert. The cloud still hovering from last night's storm prevented that but I wasn't th eonly one with the same idea and four hardy souls tracked back up the dunes more in hope than expectation of a sunrise. Oh well, file that under 'unfinished business' . What a shame, I will have to go back!

After an open-air breakfast,

it was back on the camels for a trek back out of the dunes. As we would be coming out some way from our point of entry we would be travelling back to the auberge by 4x4.

Some say his knees are equipped White Power shocks and that his ankles are equipped with gyroscopic stabilisation. All I know is they call him - the Landy Surfer

We returned to the auberge and picked up the bikes heading back to Merzouga and Erfoud. The storm of last night was evident in the sand and of course some of the guys had to inspect it more closely.

We got back to the river Ziz at Erfoud to find it had risen considerably overnight and that the ford was now quite a challenge. Crossing the river soon became quite a spectator sport for the locals

Stuart showing how to do it

Look at the speed of the water across the road and the spray and currents to the right on the downstream side.

All the bikes made it across - good job guys!

That was enough excitement for one day so it was back to the hotel

and relax - not quite 'Ice Cold in Alex' but the beer tasted sweet.

TP

 

[twisticles]

I'm enjoying this...can't wait for the next installment

 

[Tractorpilot]

Some more

Day 10 Tuesday 7th October
Erfoud to Ouarzazate

Salt mines, 2 pistes, twisty mountain climbs

The original schedule plan for today was Erfoud to Ouarzazate (War-za-zat) via Todra Gorge and Dades Valley. That was before the Moroccan weather had its effect on the roads. An alternative route was selected. For people who want to see what was going on in that area have a look at Happy Pilgrim's report here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162868. So where did we go then?

We went there and there and - about 250 miles in 8 hours (414km in new money). Along the R702 to the N10 then south to Alnif with a piste section on the route. After lunch at Alnif, we took the N12 to Tazzarine, Nekob and joined the N9. Nick and Gerald diverted off around here somewhere on a private expedition to Zagora, rejoining us at the end of the day. The rest of us followed the N9 for a while before diverting off to follow a parallel piste. We rejoined the N9 and continued on to Ouarzazate.

Yeah, yeah, so where are the pictures?
Right here!

About an hour after leaving Erfoud we pulled up alongside what looked like overgrown mole hils in the desert.

They were in fact salt workings

and deep!

We continued along the R702 and about 3 hours from Erfoud turned right off the road south to Alnif onto our first piste of the day.

A nice gentle piste through villages if I remember correctly. Something to set an appetite for lunch which followed in Alnif.

After lunch we headed for Tansikht on the R108 and then the N9.
Time for some more pics, a cheesy one for the family

and another I like

We turned right off the N9 for the afternoon piste.

On through palmeries

and the road opened out

Unfortunately good things come to an end,

and the latter part of the road was sealed. Blue Sweeper snapped the group

as we rolled onto the tarmac again

The fun wasn't over though, we had a twisty climbing run after the piste before we got to Ouarzazate. Plenty of photo opportunites.

Climbing from Agdz to Ait Saoun then on to Ouarzazate and our hotel

The end of another day's riding in Morocco.

More soon

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 11 Wednesday 8th October
Ouarzazate to Marrakech

Ait Ait Ben Haddou, Telouet Piste, Tiz'n'Tichka, Marrakech Square

This was the definitive day of the holiday for me. A fantastic off road piste. 133 miles travelled for the day.

The hotel cat was sorry to see its comfortable overnight accomodation being taken away

Then it was on to the Gladiator/Lawrence of Arabia etc film set village at Ait Ben Haddou

Then it was on to the Telouit Piste (I think)

This was a fantastic and varied piste

with

lots (look ma a F800GS!)

of

excellent

photo

opportunities

1150 through the ford

Now would this make an advert for a certain company?

Pause for water and regroup

Then its off again heading for the end of the valley where we would meet THE HILL...

More later

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 11 Continued - THE HILL

Day 11 Ctd - the Hill

So, this hill, well have a look at this picture. In it you can see a 4x4 to the left of the building and some of our bikes moving to the left end of the stretch of road.

Zooming out it becomes clear we have been following this piste along one wall of the river valley

The river continues away to the right

whilst to the left there is a dead end valley where the road doubles back below the current viewpoint. Again you can see some of the bikes following the trail towards the dead end.

At the end of the valley a 90 degree turn lead on to the 'zig' of a rough zig-zag climb up the wall of the valley.

The following picture shows Hamish on the 'zig' from the same viewpoint.

Whilst on the track itself we have a cracking shot of David taking his 1150 up the track

What David could see ahead of him is a drop to the left, A transition in surface from boulder to flagging (unfinished) and a 180 degree blind narrowing uphill hairpin corner

After the corner is negotiated (and the Moroccan Toll Gate Keepers, lads who were improving the road surface) then there is a similar stretch which brings you out at the viewpoint at the top of the valley. You can see we weren't the only traffic on the road.

So - did I make it to the top unaided? Err - no. I had a go but uphill over lumpy rocks is an area for improvement for me. Thinking about it afterwards I kinda realised that I can blag my way through 10 or 20 metres of lumpy uphill rocks afterwhich I generally find myself running out of space, speed or ideas or all 3. Well I did about 15m, dropped it, did another 20 or so and again, repeated and thought "strike three... I'm out". I was halfway up to the 180 degree turn. No way to get a good run up to the turn, no idea how far to go after. Anyway, the great thing about the team of guys on the trip was that for those who didn't feel able to make the climb there were enough skilled people to help out and get the bikes through the hard bit. Huge thanks to all the guys who rallied round and got the last few bikes up the climb. Hamish and Mark came down to help and were walking back up. The figure in black trudging at the back is yours truly.

The next shot is Kev bringing his own bike up. He brought mine up too

At the end of that bit I was starting to see tha advantages of other forms of transport!

but that wouldn't have been as much fun on the next bit. My confidence had been dented a bit by the hill and asked one of the other guys to just follow and keep an eye on what I was doing (anything wrong etc) for the next bit and Gerald acted as Guardian Angel and at the next stop delivered a very encouraging verdict on the lines of good bike placement and route picking - keep doing what you're doing. Me with shadow

Yet again the 800 had done everything without a prob

Unfortunately Stuart wasn't having it quite so easy. The track was hard work for anyone and with three dodgy ribs it was becoming impossible. Again the group and the support were able to sort things out.

Stuart was put in the support vehicle and the decision was made that we would relay the bike up to the tarmac at the end of the piste where we could either unload the luggage and put it on the bikes and put Stuarts bike in the truck or Stuart, if recovered, could carry on.

Nigel, waiting with his bike and David's bike to be relayed on

There weren't any picture stops between here and the end of the piste. Everyone concentrated on getting the job done. I set off earliest from the last stop and was able to focus on my technique and had a real long run with no-one on my tail moving at a steady continuous pace which was just what I needed and by the time I got to the end of the piste I was feeling confident and riding well. At the end of the piste, which took us something around 4 hours end to end, we regrouped, rehydrated and chatted to two Dutch babes (who somehow managed to avoid the cameras). They had been at the hill at the same time as us but travelling in a 4x4.

After they left and all the people and bikes were reassembled and rested, it was on to the Col de Tichka, 7,400 feet up on steadily improving tarmac. Not too many pictures taken on the Col as the main interest seemed to be getting to Marrakech.

When we got to the hotel El Andalus in Marrakech we arrived to find another group of bikes parked up outside the hotel. They were with another tour company and they must have thought we looked like something the cat dragged in, completely covered in days of dust, muck and grime! We chatted and found out they were on their way out (I think) whilst we were on our way home but that they were primarily an on-road trip. After a day like we had had with the problems that had been overcome together, we were grinning like idiots and bubbling over with excitement. Really there was only one place to go - the bar outside by the pool, so the entire shambling dust cloud of us descended on the bar to do our best to drink them out of beer before dinner!. Don't remember if we succeeded (I think the barman sent for reinforcements) but soon it was time to clean up, eat and go into Marrakech for a look round the square.

food

etc

then back to the hotel.

Tomorrow? That's another story.

TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 12 - a bit more

Day 12 Thursday 9th October
Marrakech to Ifrane

Cascades d'Ouzoud, Barrage Bin El Ouidane. Storm

Today we started the long trip home. Rather than just follow the N8 we would skirt into the western flanks of the Atlas Mountains. The day's run would be about 320 miles. From about 500m above sea level, we would climb to over 1500m on the slopes of the Atlas before dropping again to 500m coming out of the Atlas and turning north east for the steady climb to Ifrane at 1600m.

Out of Marrakech and after a fuel and 'ine' stop ('ine' stop? caff/nico/ur as required) where met the group we had been at the hotel with last night, we turned towards the mountains heading for the Cascades d'Ouzoude.

very spectacular

This one just made me think - lemmings

So who are the lemmings? Some of them are well known here - Blue Sweeper, David A Hall, Samuelsnow, (TP=me) but the rest are not (as far as I know) regular posters here so here we go with a few intro's in no order at all
Cameron

Robert - quality testing local engineering

Nick, Dave (David A Hall), Gerald and Kev,

Stuart, Ian (Samuelsnow), Alex

Tractorpilot (Neil - me) with Nigel taking lemming pictures behind me.

Out of 15 that is 9.5 accounted for. Some of the others have already been mentioned in despatches but I will get the others soon.

So, after the Cascades we pressed on, passing the Barrage (dam) and lake at Bin El Ouidane

and starting a descent through 1250m above sea level and a viewpoint out over the plains to the north.
We were on a nice twisty road

descending steadily

out of the mountains

but from here at about 2.30pm we could not see the problems we were about to encounter...

The rest of the afternoon we headed steadily North East, climbing steadily from 500m back up to 1600m. When we had left Marrakech in the morning, the temperature had been a balmy 25degC. We had gone up into the hills and there had been a slight cooling but as we dropped back to the plains for the uphill pull to Ifrane, we could see ahead clouds building steadily and darkening continually with rain clearly falling hard underneath them.

At first the rain clouds are just in front of us, then to the right, to the left as well. We know it is only a matter of time. It starts and we pull over to put on wets. On we go. It gets darker and colder and the day becomes an endurance test as we head onwards. It gets colder. Darkness falls. We still have a way to go. Eventually we get to Ifrane but we are strung out a long way apart now and takes a long time for everyone to arrive. We worry but everyone has made it. The temperature that night when we reached Ifrane was 4.5degC and we had had hailstones on our way there. A drop from 25deg C to 4.5degC through the day meant that a couple of the guys were really suffering when we arrived.

Hot baths helped and they were able to join us for the evening meal.

You may remember earlier in the blog I likened the place to an off season Fawlty Towers? Surprise - the Sunday the bar was due to open hadn't arrived yet. It was October but the heating wasn't on.

We arrived to find we were sharing the hotel with Wildcat Tours including Stumpy of this parish who I went and introduced myself to, guessing that the number of british plated GS with one legged riders was (as far as I know) a club of one. Apologies if I am wrong but it proved to be a good assumption!

The heating wasn't on but there was an ingenious local alternative (HSE would not approve). Put a patio heater in the dining room!

We had to laugh - Gerald, Roy (Blue Sweeper) Kev 'n' me with the Wildcat party munching away at the back. Anyway it worked. After a meal we did at least know where a bar was open so it did not take long for us to scarper down there and relax a bit.

It had been a long day and the second half had been hard. (Check out Stumpy's thread for their take on the weather). So it was time to crash out and recuperate before tomorrow's run back up through the Rif Mountains to Ceuta.

More tomorrow
TP

 

[Tractorpilot]

Day 13

Day 13 Friday 10th October
Ifrane to Ceuta

Rain, more rain and ... rain

So, after our challenging run into Ifrane the night before we were about to set out on our last day travelling through Africa to get to Ceuta for tomorrow's morning ferry back to Algeciras.

The plan was to visit the Roman Ruins at Volubilis on the way and we had wanted to get a last trail in if possible. Distance about 230 miles.

Well - that was the plan... It lasted about as long as the first look out of the window. The North African weather gods had decided that we had had our quota of nice weather for the trip and it was time to for an exhibition of what they could throw at us instead.

We watched Stumpy and the Wildcat tour depart first before making our own preparations. For Stumpy's take on the weather conditions that day see their thread on this site at http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162906.

Now to give you a flavour if you haven't followed the link

The next day its raining but we hope to drive out of the rain within 60 miles or so. Heading across the plains the wind picks up and the rain shows no sign of abating there’s lots of standing water and at one point an oncoming truck splashing though a pool of water completely covering my bike and I much to the amusement of those following me. As the day wears on the weather gets worse, it’s the worse wind I’ve ever ridden in and several times I find myself fighting to keep the bike of the gravel edge of the road. The rivers and streams are overflowing the roads and shallow bridges and we start fording.

Really, you should have a look because while I know we had it bad, worse than yesterday, Wildcat had an even harder time.

The observant amongst you will have noticed there are no photos from today. The reason was that nobody felt comfortable enough with the prevailing conditions to stop and take photos. Sorry but we were concentrating on keeping the rubber side downwards.

We had one group coffee stop at which point a phone call to the Tour Leader revealed that one of the bikes was stranded with some kind of key/engine cutout problem. While the tour guides went back to sort the problem (successfully), the rest of us pushed on.

It was shortly after that I had a moment which probably, before the extended off road practice, would have had me off. We were going through an area of roadworks where the rain, muck from construction vehicles, diesel and runoff from the slopes around conspired to create a slurry of diesel and liquid mud that was so treacherous that any input from the rider at all tended to make at least one of the two wheels slide. Sometimes it felt like both were sliding (and not necessarily in the same direction). I was very glad to get out of the other end of that patch.

In the Rif Mountains after a brief lull, the foul conditions returned with renewed force. Everyone by now was soaked through but having learned from yesterday we were well wrapped up (umm - well at least I was). Bikes were being pushed by sidewind gusts right across the road at times. At one point while following Mark and Hamish I saw a dried up Moroccan equivalent of a tumbleweed blown down the hill and across the road. It was one of those horrible moments when you realise that the bike and the obstacle are going to arrive at the same place at the same time. Mark did the only thing that he could and rode the bike straight through the thing. Job done.

Eventually we made it out of the mountains and down to customs at Ceuta. As usual plenty of people were offering to take us through Customs but once I secured the necessary paperwork we were able to get ourselves through without a problem.

So - back in Spain whilst still in Africa. It was good to get to our hotel for the night, secure the bikes, clean up and wait while everyone trickled in.

The good news? Everyone got to Ceuta in one piece.

The bad news? Ferry service suspended due to prevailing conditions until further notice. There would be no morning ferry service to Algeciras for us.

Day 14 Saturday 11th October
Ceuta to Cordoba

Wait, wait, a bumpy trip, a long night ride

The next morning the weather, whilst dry, was overcast with sea fog and a heavy swell running outside the harbour. There was no way the fast catamaran ferries were going anywhere that day.

We waited around at the hotel and some of us went for a bit of a wander round Ceuta.

Towards lunchtime it seemed that a conventional ferry might be going at some time in the afternoon to try and clear the backlog. We loaded up, checked out and headed for the ferry port to join the queues.

and queues

until we were through the barriers and waiting to load

then after a bumpy ferry trip we got to Algeciras towards dusk.

150 mile night ride which with a stop for exchanging money and a search for fuel we got to the hotel in Cordoba around midnight. Not much of a chance to do anything except raid the minibar to stave off hunger and get some shut eye.

On the bright side we were back on schedule.

Day 15 Sunday 12th October
Cordoba to Segovia

North through Spain

Today we said goodbye to Mark and Hamish as they set off for the Pyrenees to travel through France en-route for the ferry to Guernsey. It bought home that the holiday was just about over

We were travelling up through Spain to Segovia, north of Madrid.

People travelled at their own pace in whatever groups suited and we trickled out of the hotel in Cordoba as we were ready. No one else seemed close to ready at the time I finished loading. I also needed fuel so I set off on my own to sort it out then head north and see if I caught up with anyone.

The run I took followed the recommended route which covered 300 miles. Compared with the run south on the second day I felt there was more to see. I reallly enjoyed the variety of hills, woods and sweeping curves I saw. As on the way down the GPS spent loads of time resetting itself as it got lost on new spanish roads but a bit of map reading was all that was required to stay on course. No photos as I tend to get really destination focused when I travel alone and just want to be sure of getting there.

I continued north stopping to refuel me and the bike. I didn't see anyone but caught of glimpse of some bikes pulled in at a cafe as I went past. I didn't know anything about Segovia before arriving there and all I can say is that it is well worth a visit as the last set of photos from the holiday below give some idea. I was the first one there and found the hotel, got booked in then went out to explore. The results follow.

Segovia was the capital for a while of The Kingdom of Castile

It also is a cathedral city

The main centre is the square next to the cathedral in the old town

Lots of other secluded squares

and old winding streets to explore

Later that evening we went out to find a restaurant off the square for dinner.

We picked a place called the Jose Maria Restaurante on Cronista Lecca where we had a fantastic meal. Some of the guys opted for the speciality of the house, suckling pig. When they ordered it, no-one expected it to be presented the way it was. The meal arrived and the owner came in with an assistant and using the edge of a plate instead of a knife, with five swift strokes he parted the pig and as he lifted the plate after each stroke his assistant snatched the cut onto a plate and served it up. None of us had ever seen anything like it. Great meal but we were so astonished and it was over so quick no one got a picture. Go see yourselves! Most of stayed there the rest of the evening but some went for a wander. It is definitely somewhere I want to return to.

The next picture is the last one which I have for you as we returned through the old town to our hotel, Los Linajes (which I liked a lot)

A great night out.

Day 15 Sunday 12th October
Cordoba to Santander

Last day

This is the end of the report and the end of the holiday as we made our way from Segovia up the motorway and then the N roads over Los Picos and into Santander. We started together but straggled out and broke into smaller groups. Again I was travelling solo but I had no problem there as I came onto familiar roads from a holiday two years before.

For me there was typical UKGSer surprise waiting at the Ferry port. I was not the first one there this time. Roy and Cameron arrived first. That was not the surprise. The surprise was who Blue Sweeper (Roy) was talking to in the ferry queue - Sir James Burton of this site. You cannot escape the UKGSer site. They turn up everywhere!

My mileage total at the end of the trip was 3,300 miles. 3,300 miles over all kinds of terrains in all kinds of conditions covered in excellent company with great organisation and accomodation. Was it worth it? Definitely! Will I be going back? Oh yes! Would I recommend it? For what it is worth - of course, but I don't think you need my recommendation. I hope the report speaks for itself. In this I really do think a picture is worth a thousand words.

Hope you enjoyed the report. Might be some more YouTube bits to follow but no one's got to looking at the video material yet

Cheers

TP

 

[indaba]

Thanks for a great travel report - have been following it and have both enjoyed it and been inspired by it. Roll on next year - I know whee I want to go

Adrian

 

[Stumpy]

Cracking report and good to have met you

Stumpy

 

[Tractorpilot]

Thanks Indaba

Cracking report and good to have met you

Stumpy

Likewise - and fascinated to read about and grateful we didn't have to face the floods you had on the way south!

Thanks
Neil

 

[Dee Tee]

I've just gone Start to Finish through this. Excellent Report,Neil .

 

[Phil W]

Nice stuff, lucky chaps