Morocco info

[stanoverlander]

Hi Folks

Sorry for not posting this sooner-my girlfriend has just had a baby and the trip seems an age away.
Am amazed at the response so I hope the info will help.
This trip was on a KTM 950 and a Tenere 600..We crossed from Algeciras to Ceuta- the fast boat is better
Went down the coast to Agadir via Moulay Bouselham- camping at 54DH for 2 then to Essauria (600km day some motoway some coast road) to an Auderge at 600DH DBB for 2- our most expensive on the trip!
We then had a short day down the coast at Tarazoute plage-camping at 44DH-very basic
Then from here via Agadir to Tafroute bungelows at 80DH
We changed our tyres here and swapped the old ones for souvenirs ( This place is fantastic-and would recomend it) Then did Chris Scotts route M11 -got slightly lost and went down a parallel valley but got there in the end.
We couldnt get unleaded petrol but the 950 was ok with the leaded.. fuel in Morocco was between 9.49 and 9.68 DH / litre
We stayed at Akka in a hotel for 80DH DBB then went to Tata and routeM10 to Ingherm over the atlas and stayed at Talouine for 340DH DBB
Then to Foum Zguid and route M7 Stayed in FZ(300dh) after an electrical problem 20k down the track fixed it then set off next day - did M7 then bivied 30 k down M8 Then from bivi to Merzouga via an epic in the sandy Oued at Remilia- another story...Then after a rest day in Merz it was a highway trip back to the ferry via the Riff mountains- not recomended- far too much hassle after the desert.

Did a similar trip on a DRZ 400 a few years ago but the 950 is far more suited- a bit heavy in the sand but fantastic elsewhere-stable on the track comfy on the road- the best bike for this country by far. I carried a 10 litre jerry but you can get fuel in villages so wouldnt bother with it. We took bivvy stuff but wouldnt bother with that either- stay in Auberges take just a day sack with water and a change of pants and you will enjoy the ridding a lot more-the lugage just gets in your way!

We traveled in April/May so it was warm in the north and very hot in the Desert.
Its very difficult to judge the ridding gear-10 years ago I went in february and got caughtin blizzards in the mountains. This time I took 2 much and had the rucksack stuffed full of 'just in case' clothes - October to feb would need a few warmer layers and waterproofs.
As an example this trip I had Hein Gerick Pants with the liner out, Thermal top, body armour, pertex top and enduro jacket mainly, with 2 thin fleeces and another(!) windproof bike top.2 T-Shirts, thermal lonjohns. On the moterway i didnt need all the fleeces on, but it was dry, in the desert it was body armour and pertex top- thats a lot of stuff to carry, but you will always have 2 much kit! Just look at the long way round lot...

We used MT21 tyres with no punctures, just a rucksack and a tank bag for luggage, a GPS 5, Chris Scotts route sheets, Michelin Map, digital camera, bivi bags, therma rest and tiny MSR gas stove- used twice dont bother-buy coffee its nicer!

I hope this is of use and if you need any more I will try to keep an eye on the thread- Apologies again
Stan

[skysurferboy]

Thanks for the info. I'm counting down the days to my trip. Leave Portsmouth for Bilbao on the 2/10/05. Just having a minor internal debate about camping gear now after reading your report. Anyone heading that way (Bilbao to Algeciras-Ceuta to ????) at the beginning of Oct. Care to join up?

[Pedro Rocha]

hey Stan, you mention that you´ld rather stay in "auberges" than carry a tent, I assume those are huts or bungalows. Did you notice all camping places had those? and how expensive were they?

How far can you go between camping places?

[stanoverlander]

Pedro- Auberges are just bed and breakfast type places varying from the basic room on a campsite (80Dh for 2 in Tafroute no food) to a posh pad with en suite bathroom(600dh for 2 with 4 course amazing meal and huge breakfast at Essoura). I used the lonely planet guide book to find some places but everywhere you go you will find a place to stay. The distances on the pistes arent huge and there are places to stay along some of them ,not all the campsites have bungelows however dont just look at campsites- hotels will give a good deal and if your on a bike they will insist you park it in the foyey..next to the pool table in one hotel. After many years of biking I have decided camping is for 4x4 travel where you can really get away- unless you do a trip like Chris's desert riders, but for a few weeks in Morocco travel light on your bike...

[mayhem]

ok i've just got back from morocco after a 2.5 week trip, this thread was very useful, if anyone needs any up to date advice please ask- i have to say though everyone seems very blase about the state of the roads out there- i've ridden many places including india and mexico- these were some of the worst roads i have ever experienced. blind corners on mountain roads with trucks coming at you, motorways turning to gravel with no prior warning, some major roads on the map are just rocky trails... be careful out there! also btw rough guide is well out of date, better to trust your instincts.

[Wilso122]

:: Mayhem ::

Yes please I would like some more info, especially if you went on a bike, looking to do a Solo trip in March, any info much appreciated, email me if easier.

Cheers

Wilso

[Wheelie]

I would be very happy to recieve such info. I'm looking into ridng Morocco on my Vespa... e-mail would be great

[baz1]

I thought the roads were pretty good apart from in the North. Not up to European standards but far better than I expected. Could make 300 iles in a day easily between the larger towns & cities.

My Report is here http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/foru...ad.php?t=54198

Baz

[Steve Senior]

Stan Will be in morocco this Christmas would be grateful for the info Cheers

[IanC]

There's a bit of info (photos mainly) on my website (see below), when I went there on a 99% tarmac tour a couple of years ago. About 6000 miles total in just over a fortnight.

Highly recommended! I actually didn't encounter any rain, and also found the roads to be good, contrary to some earlier posts in this thread.

Thinking of going back there soon for some more off-road, now a GS has replaced the Pan!

------------------
www.aslc43.dsl.pipex.com

[This message has been edited by IanC (edited 20 November 2005).]

[fmoritel]

Originally posted by StanH:
Just got back from a trip around Morocco on a ktm 950. If anyone needs any info on fuel, accomadtion, routes etc I can post them- The tarmac at Merzouga goes to Touz now...!

Hello, I'm preparing a trip for 4 bikes in April 2006, and yes, fuel, accomodation, routes... I 'll take it all :-)

My e-mail : fmoritel@gutenberg-online.com

Thanks a lot

[stevekamano]

Originally posted by StanH:
Just got back from a trip around Morocco on a ktm 950. If anyone needs any info on fuel, accomadtion, routes etc I can post them- The tarmac at Merzouga goes to Touz now...!

hi stanH iam planing to go in 2007 any help would be great all best steve

[Martin1969]

Hi Stan,

You may be sick of been asked for the same information again but would you mind posting it to me as well. Myself and seven other are planning a trip into Morocco late september 2006. We will be travelling from Ceuta - Erfoud - Quarzazate - Taroudant - Marrakech - Meknes and back to Ceuta. The main thing I am struggling with is the availablity of fuel especially in the southern regions (Erfoud). Any help you can provide would be much appreciated on anyone else for that matter.

Regards Martin

martin@lindwell.fsnet.co.uk

[topper]

and me too please! Planning for Jan 07.

Thanks

topperthedog _at_ hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by topper (edited 22 February 2006).]

[baz1]

Dont know about the extreme south. The only place I had problems with fuel was betwen Marrakesh & Ouarzazate. I had about half a tank when I let Marrakesh & it was about 85 miles til I found a fuel stop and that was only leaded fuel. Made a mental note after that to fuel up once I had done 70 miles.