Roads In Morocco

[Tommo]

Guys,

I am comtemplating taking some supermoto's across to Morocco supported by a landrover, To make it really worthwhile I need the right types of roads, namely twisty ones, are there many twisty tarmac roads or are they mostly straight ? I might do a bit of offroading but Only on well defined tracks as 17inch road tyres don't like sand!!

Mark

[ScottWylie]

I'd be surprised if there's a single road in Morocco that isn't twisty! All over the Atlas ranges you'll find miles and miles of hairpin bends and gradients. Most of Morocco is mountanous and the roads appear to be designed to accomodate vehicles that can only climb the slightest gradient, so there are loads of zig-zag roads winding their way up and down mountain's via passes.

Just check the maps and see the numbers of roads drawn as sqiggles.

I hugely underestimated this situation on my first visit and consequently it took far longer to drive anywhere than I had expected.

[This message has been edited by ScottWylie (edited 15 January 2005).]

[Tommo]

Thanks, thats great to know, are these tarmac roads?

[NeilT]

Hi, i totally agree 100%, i took a Hornet there once and found the roads too tight and twisty for a revy thing like that. Something with lots of low down torque would be much better, a supermoto should be perfect. Take the stickiest road tires you can, if you compromise with A/T tires you'll regret it i promise! You can go nearly everywhere without leaving the tarmac, right down to the desert, and you can still go Land Rover speeds on pistes anyway, especially if they are carrying all your kit in the Land Rover!

The roads are usually good condition, not much traffic and ALWAYS perfectly even radius bends. Watch out for sometimes oil in the center of your lane on steep up hill bends dropped by trucks changing gear and slick dusty roads in towns which can take you by surprise.

I did a simple page of my last trip mostly to show the condition of pistes there but check out the last picture on the last page for a very small idea of what the tarmac roads are like - www.podiatrypages.co.uk/moroc - it just goes on and on like that all day.... Of 5000km total we only did a few hundred kms on pistes so don't think you'll be missing out on much scenery by sticking to tarmac.

Have a great time
Neil

[braindead]

For twists and turns I can recommend the following road . Tisin Tisi pass between Marreck & Quarratzatte about 180km of bends and bends over the atlas and the pass is 2200m .
http://groups.msn.com/UKTenereOwners...to&PhotoID=186

, road to the Cascades d'Ousoud see link and photos.The roads go on for about 60km of switchback and good surfaced bends. Approach from the north and then ride and stay at the riad on the link.

The roads are stunning and great fun though there is the danger of oil and dust, also if it is hot watch out for fatting as the tar melts in the sun.

I hope you have an understanding landrover driver as he will be travelling very slowly. Throw in you XC wheels and tyre and do some piste bashing.

Charlie

http://www.travelwithattitude.com/Riad%20Cascades%20D'ouzoud.htm

At the Cascades:
http://groups.msn.com/UKTenereOwners/charliesaharatrip.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1 84

http://groups.msn.com/UKTenereOwners/charliesaharatrip.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1 83




[This message has been edited by braindead (edited 17 January 2005).]

[Tommo]

Guys thanks a lot that's just what i needed to know.

If any of you fancy an expenses paid trip to morocco I might be looking for some guides a couple of times this year. I'll be using KTM Lc4 SM's so nothing too strenous.

Charlie, I see you live in salisbury, I'm up near Devizes (potterne) If you fancy a drink sometime I'd like to pick your Brains!

Mark

[NeilT]

Expenses paid trip... to ride supermoto's around Morocco... is your name god or something?? Count me in. As long as i don't have to actually ride a SM the whole way down through Europe and back! No one would want to take that on so i guess you've planned some other way...

I'll email you my number as i live in Bath now, just down the road from you as well.

Cheers
Neil

[ScottWylie]

Most of the main roads in Morocco are in better condition than here in Berkshire.

[braindead]

Originally posted by Tommo:
If any of you fancy an expenses paid trip to morocco I might be looking for some guides a couple of times this year. I'll be using KTM Lc4 SM's so nothing too strenous.

Charlie, I see you live in salisbury, I'm up near Devizes (potterne) If you fancy a drink sometime I'd like to pick your Brains!

Mark

Hi Mark.

My bRains are blong dead but if you want to come over and pick over the remains lets do it.

I live in Shipton Bellinger drop me a mail and we can get together and natter. Moroccan roads are the business but the grand taxis are a menace.

As for a low cost trip I am your man.

Charlie

[NeilT]

Originally posted by braindead:

As for a low cost trip I am your man.

Charlie

No, no, no! I'm an EXPERT in low cost blagged travel! I'm definately your man ;-)

Neil