 4Likes
 |
11 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
|
|
|
How much is too much- Morocco on a motorbike
Hello all,
Going to Morocco from the 8th to the 18th of April, entering via Nador.
It's 3 bikes dessert readish... one of them 2 up. Minimal to none off road experience. First timers in Morocco
I find myself organising the route at the moment wanting to see as much as possible. Now my question is, would it be too much to aim for 350km a day? I'd like to do them through a mix of tarmac and well kept pistes. I do not want to do an endurance race, but rather something more relaxed and enjoyable. With as many stops for pictures as needed.
Your advice will be most welcomed.
Thanks!
PS: And on that note I'm a spanish rider, based in London with the bike currently in Alicante. Cheers all! I ride a vstrom- 650 DL K7
|
11 Feb 2017
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 563
|
|
" would it be too much to aim for 350km a day?"
I see this come up so often and the answer is No and Yes. On a dl650 350km in a day is not too much on good roads. On bad "off roads" it could make for a very very long day. 350km on the occasional good road on a few days of your trip would be not too bad. 350km every day would make for a miserable dusty hot panic race in my view. Wanting to "see as much as possible" sometimes means you perhaps do 20km days?
I would suggest you really need to think more down the lines of: How many hours do I want to spend riding per day. How long do I stop to visit that old ruin, explore the souks etc..... If it's hot, what is the best time to ride and rest. If you are using hotels what time do you start looking for a bed for the night, you could be nowhere near one. If your camping it's different again.
Of course to some it's all about the riding and nothing else matters.
My advise would be to forget about trying to do big km, take your time each day and perhaps look at web links here for info if you haven't already.
Morocco Knowledgebase
Morocco, Travellers information | Horizons Unlimited
__________________
Regards Tim
Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
|
11 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
|
|
|
Cheers Tim,
Yes, I've been looking to around those sites quite a lot. Good point about the hotel planning for the night. I'll try to balance the stages.
Cheers
|
11 Feb 2017
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,658
|
|
|
That sounds like a lot..
Seeing isn't always experiencing...
How much fun will you have sat on the highway watching your Odometer spin around...
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
11 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montreal
Posts: 104
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisac
... and well kept pistes.
|
You seem to have a romantic perspective on riding Morocco ;-)
Pists come and go. New ones get created, others get flooded. They appear. They disappear. They are not kept. Might be nice for a few kilometers, then sandy as hell for the next 20. Not easy at all riding two up with no experience. My recommendation is that you should stick to tarmac and prepare for next year.
|
12 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Massive Lee
You seem to have a romantic perspective on riding Morocco ;-)
Pists come and go. New ones get created, others get flooded. They appear. They disappear. They are not kept. Might be nice for a few kilometers, then sandy as hell for the next 20. Not easy at all riding two up with no experience. My recommendation is that you should stick to tarmac and prepare for next year.
|
Hello, I was under the understanding that some R roads were made of tarmac and hard packed gravel ? I could be wrong though.. I guess that is what I mean by well kept pistes
Cheers!
|
12 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montreal
Posts: 104
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisac
Hello, I was under the understanding that some R roads were made of tarmac and hard packed gravel ? I could be wrong though.. I guess that is what I mean by well kept pistes
Cheers!
|
Well. Tarmac roads are maintained. The rest is as they come and conditions will fluctuate. They are not really "maintained" while the type of surface can vary widely. Riding "dual sport bikes" without experience? Why not. Two-up? It might be more difficult.
But hey. Go for it. If it gets too tough, then just change direction.
BTW Mid April is when it starts getting hot. Gonna drink a liter of water per hour. ;-)
I suggest you watch as many Youtube videos and make-up your mind by yourself.
|
13 Feb 2017
|
 |
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,079
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Massive Lee
BTW Mid April is when it starts getting hot. Gonna drink a liter of water per hour. ;-)
|
Bad advice which will lead to hyponatremia and you'll wash the sodium out of your body. There's no good reason to drink more than four litres per day, and in mid April I'd suggest two litres is a good target to aim for.
I tend to drink tap water rather than bottled. If you are drinking bottled water you need to be aware of the contents, for example, Ciel (made by Coca Cola) is basically tap water with loads of chlorine, and Sidi Harazem is good for cleaning dentures (I'm told) due to the minerals.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
|
13 Feb 2017
|
 |
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis
Bad advice which will lead to hyponatremia and you'll wash the sodium out of your body. There's no good reason to drink more than four litres per day, and in mid April I'd suggest two litres is a good target to aim for.
I tend to drink tap water rather than bottled. If you are drinking bottled water you need to be aware of the contents, for example, Ciel (made by Coca Cola) is basically tap water with loads of chlorine, and Sidi Harazem is good for cleaning dentures (I'm told) due to the minerals.
|
And make sure to take rehydration salts (and use them!). The thing riding in desert or very hot countries is that:
1 - you do not realise how dehydrated you are. As you get dehydrated, you lose concentration and coordination, increasing the risk of crashing, especially off-road - so as said, make sure you drink regularly;
2 - you sweat a lot and lose lots of salts. Low levels of electrolytes can result in diarrhea, constipation, cramping etc... Hence the rehydration salts.
My two cents based on my experiences... guilty of all.
|
13 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montreal
Posts: 104
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis
Bad advice which will lead to hyponatremia and you'll wash the sodium out of your body. There's no good reason to drink more than four litres per day, and in mid April I'd suggest two litres is a good target to aim for.
I tend to drink tap water rather than bottled. If you are drinking bottled water you need to be aware of the contents, for example, Ciel (made by Coca Cola) is basically tap water with loads of chlorine, and Sidi Harazem is good for cleaning dentures (I'm told) due to the minerals.
|
Well. After losing some water and only having kept 3 litres of it in April 2016, I almost died from dehydration. By noon had already drank 3 liters. And it was when it started getting really hot in the desert, North of Merzouga. After finding a water well in the mountains, I didn't have enough force to lift the pouch. Got saved by nomads, the ones in this tent. It took me two hours to get back on my feet.
Whatever floats anyone else's habits, I would NOT risk my life on only two litres of water per day... Especially in the South ;-)
|
12 Feb 2017
|
|
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 971
|
|
Well it dependson how much offroad you are planing and if you just want to ride "offroad" or real offroad and dunes. Then even 50 km can be really tirering but i think 300 km per day is ok if you dont make to many photostops and lunch breaks:
http://afrikamotorrad.eu/?report=tourguide
|
19 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: darlington
Posts: 31
|
|
|
It could well be the lack of riding unsurfaced roads that could be your undoing, newbies tense up grip the bars tighter and tighter sweat profusely and make slow progress, get some time in the saddle on unsurfaced roads before you venture into Africa, contact your local TRF group someone may be able to help with both advice and time on unsurfaced roads
|
19 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
|
|
|
I see, fortunately we'll travel with a couple of pharmacists, the will take care of the salts and first aid ehehhehe.
In any case, after careful consideration and being the first time for the 3 bikes we are riding there, most of the trip will be happening on surfaced roads. We will be doing some very light off roading on easy pistes, only to justify the 50/50 tyres on the bikes.
Time to look for easy pistes!
|
25 Feb 2017
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Como italy
Posts: 5
|
|
|
Marocco, how many km each day
Hi,
I was in marocco In April 2014 with my daughter on a bmw gs Adventure
15 days real drive in marocco, 3500 paved road and 500 piste
( 4000 : 15 = 266,6 )
We drive very very relaxed.....
Our first trip in marocco.
All things was easy, roads, hotel, foods, people....
Near merzouga about 37 degrees ....
Near Fez about 3-4 degrees with snow near the road, mountain road at 2500 meter high
I recommend , really, marocco
A wonderful country
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Hybrid Mode
