Sounds like we've nearly got a gathering. Can someone with some knowledge of Morocco like to suggest a spot for Christmas and/or NYE? Are you heading to Essaouira Bolla?

I’m up for Jan 3rd in Quarazazate - sounds good to watch the Dakar circus arrive from Er Rachidia and then leave the next day for Tan Tan. I’m just working out how to get there and back seeing as the only return ferry from Bilbao in Jan departs 1pm 5th Jan (Bolla’s booking) which makes it tough to watch much racing in Morocco seeing as it’s probably 2 days ride from the Spain/Morocco ferry to Bilbao. Also the Plymouth – Santander ferry is not running till March as suggested by Ptarmingan.

What about everyone else considering this (Lisa, Rick, Ptarmingan, Salcon, ‘the hondas’, Jelvis) that has to return with bike to the UK or near - what is the intention? Trains from Marseille to Brussels?

I know that Dave & Sam, and another couple are all in a van carrying 2 bikes from UK to south of Spain with the heater turned up high. And Chris, Porompp & Enrique ride to back to Gibraltar/Spain.


For myself i'm thinking this – fly to Rabat or some large city in Morocco and buy the cheapest bike that I think will cut it. [If that turns out to be 600 euro 49cc Derbi dirt bike then I’m not racing you Dave :-) ]. I’m thinking that the money I lose when I sell it quickly won’t be so bad considering the cost (& boredom) of travelling overland/sea from UK to Morocco and back. And I have to be back at work on Monday 9th Jan. (& could be a very funny trip) Otherwise there’s even a few overland bikes for sale in southern Spain http://almeria.loquo.com/english

Simon

just an update:

For new year's eve I will be in Merzouga, in a hotel so close to the dunes view as I can (!)

In Jan 3rd, I want to see the rally Dakar stage between Er Rachidia and Ourzazate.

I will spend the rest of the time in valleys (Draa, Dades, Todra), kasbahs and things like that.

Hope to see you on the road.
Enrique
cantadero(at)hotmail.com

oldbaldrick and I are in a group of seven bikes that are currently planning to cross to Tanger on 1 Jan and intersect with the rally near Er Rachidia on 2 Jan.

If it makes sense we will then go on to Ouarzazate for 3 Jan. We're planning to be in Morocco for at least another week, doing M6 and similar pistes, Dades/Todra, down to Tan Tan, etc.

Enrique: I've been looking at possible rally routes from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate and reckon the stage could go quite close to Merzouga.

Tim (+44 7076 683999)

Hi all

The rally website is update: www.dakar.com
Now it's possible find the route with more accuracy.

Tim: we will be at the same area at the same time, so it would be nice ride together. I will be there earlier than you, so for the moment, I want to watch the second part of the stage 4 (Jan 3rd). After this, I would like to go Dades/Todra and so on.

It’s possible that this plan fits in any way with your plan?
I notice that I’m in a minority… so I may adapt. Just let me know.

Enrique (+34 639073226)

>I... reckon the stage could go
>quite close to Merzouga

Well it's nice for the organisers to confirm that http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif It looks like the special on 3 Jan follows some of the line of Chris Scott's M6 piste.

I'll stick your number in my phone, Enrique, so perhaps we'll meet.

Tim

Hi
I am in Gibraltor at the moment just relaxing for a few days will be crossing over to Ceutu in the next few days,I plan on riding to the blue city about 90 kms and stay there a few days so hope to meet up with some of you.
Am going to miss the ferry on 5 jan so may stay a while in Morocco.

Hi all,gonna be in Gib.in a couple of days.Then to Morocco for a while to hopefully catch some of the Dakar race and generally tour around.Look forward to seeing some of you out there.time forra tinto,adios amigos.

Enrique - see you in Merzouga Dec 31 for NYE in the dunes! I'm leaving Marakesh today on a white Honda NXR125 4S hire bike. Taking the next 3 days via Atlas/valleys. Don't worry, i'm packing light!!

I spoke to the guy fromWilderness Wheels (XR400/CRF450 group tours out of Quarzazate) and he said that amongst other places he is taking his group to Merzouga to watch the Dakar competitors come from Er Rachidia via the dunes as he thinks this would be the best place. I’ll be there and if I can i’ll be in Quarzazate that night for beers with Dave, Sam & co. but I don’t know how easy that is till I ride this thing to Merzouga!
You better ride down to Merzouga, hey Bolla, Lightin’ and John(old beemer)?!

Simon 0044 7910 191554

Got a bit weigh-laid here,so i'm strugglin' to make plans to see Dakar in Morocco.I'll probly stop in Gib for new yrs bash then maybe see the heroes deport from Malaga.Later i'll be departing from Algeciras to Maroc and going down as far as poss.So if you're still planning early jan Old Beemer(or anyone else heading that way)send me an sms and we'll arrange to meet up somewhere.All the best fo new year all.

+44 7738074332.

Hi
I am in Essaouria at the moment 31 Dec am planning to ride to Quarzazate tommrow. Does any one know if this is easy enough in 1 day
Also where you are going to watch the Daker is it Oulad-Merzoug about 40 km east of Quarzazate
Hope to see some of you soon
Happy New Year
John

chaps
am in zagora today (31 dec). will head north on m6 tomorrow and aim to be in merzouga on 02 jan. am on black v scabby transalp. will probably stay in auberge tuareg, near big dune. hope to catch you for a beer.

my cell no is +44 7812 941 867

ride safely
chrisB

------------------
TheBrightStuffDotCom

I am getting worked by Spanish paperwork STILL!! I hope to cross into Morroco from Tarifa on the 4th if everything goes good today..PLEASE. There was over 400 people in front of me in the line up in Malaga this morning, half an hour before they opened!!
Hope to still catch some of you down in morrocco or further south.
Cheers

Hello Lightning, are you around these parts?
I'm in Fes at the moment Jan8th, Im heading towards marakesh tomorrow and onward.

Ok Owd Beema.Bin 2 Maroc once but had to return to Spain to sort a prob with fuel injection.Job done now and i´ll be taking ferry wednesday midday to Ceuta.I think you´ll be a few days infront of me mate,but i´ll keep checking HU for progress.I´ll probably be making my way down the coast then back through Dades gorge etc on my way back north.Maybe i´ll see you for a beer somewhere on your journey.Enjoy the trip.

Writing from home

Just to say that everything was all right in my trip through Morocco. About mechanical issues: after 5050 km I only had to change the rear bearings of the bike (ok, it’s normal in Africa Twin).

I enjoyed the time spent with the HU fellows (Kevin, Simon and John) I found in different places of Morocco. I hope that all of you have the same good feelings I have now about the trip in that nice country.

Chris: Finally we didn’t meet on the road, but now I’m thinking that we met in the last HU meeting in Porto. Taking the breakfast last day of the meeting, I was with a couple of portuguese friends and I remember that you entered later in the bar. Am I in the right?

keep having fun
enrique