Morocco in January
 

Hi everyone,

Due to an imminent change in career and the end of a relationship, I may find myself in a position to quit my current job early and take to the road for a month or so.

What are the weather conditions like for riding a motorcycle that time of year? I understand the Atlas mountains can get a bit snowy but what are the weather conditions and temperature like rest of the country?

My current plan would be to get the ferry from England to Santander and ride through Spain and ferry from there to Morocco, but I know certain parts of Spain can be cold and miserable at this time of year, and reverse on the way home. All hypothetical at the moment depending on how things go with the career change.

Thanks in advance

Eminently doable, one of my favourite times to visit. Sunrise will be 30 minutes earlier than the UK, and sunset an hour later, so great if you suffer from the winter blues.

I have sent you a discount code for Brittany Ferries which gives you 10% off bike and passenger rates from UK to Spain. If the economy boats are running (Baie de Seine and Etretat) I can recommend these—lower rates but still great food.

http://www.spainthenandnow.com/useri...&%20rivers.jpg

As you realise, Spain is cold—it's the most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. My best advice would be to invest in handlebar muffs and a Gerbing heated jacket with temperature controller.

Some information on hotels and routes. If the weather is extremely bad in Spain (heavy snow or something), from Santander/Bilbao you should take a low-level route following the River Ebro—head south east via Zagora to meet the coast near Amposta, then hug the coastline round to the ferry ports to Morocco.

Weather in Morocco is never predictable, some years there's heavy snow, some years hardly any. The worst place for snow is normally around Azrou/Ifrane in the Middle Atlas mountains 80km south of Fez.

As you might imagine, the best weather is generally in the south, often warm and sunny in the middle of the day, but still chilly in early morning/evening. Extremely deep blue skies make fantastic photographs.

Generally I recommend trying to avoid the N(ational) roads and instead travel on the quieter, more scenic R(egional) and P(rovincial) roads. But in case of bad weather in the north you need a plan B which is to hop on the motorway from Tanger to Marrakech, then a few days later hop on the motorway towards Taroudannt, and then further south.



I can really recommend Tafraoute and the Ameln Valley in the Anti Atlas, it's popular with French motorhomers who spend weeks in the south. Also Sidi Ifni/Mirleft on the coast at the same latitude.

My trip report from last January.

Tim,

Thanks, I was hoping you'd be able to contribute as I see you have lots of experience in the area, and thanks for the discount code.

So generally, it has potential to be miserable until you start heading south. I plan to have maybe 2.5 to 3 weeks there.

It seems the ferries only leave every few days from the UK so to allow maximum time I may leave late December (27th), though I think accommodation could be tricky in Spain over new year.

Tim,

Thank you for the info.

I'm heading there a the end of January /beginning February 2016 too.

Any advise for a reliable address for a tactical tire change in the Malaga, Marbella or Gibraltar area before crossing into Morocco-->Kenia?

gr,

Luc

Motorrodar in Algeciras is where I go to change tyres. Good professionals and best price in the area :).

In Gibraltar there is QuickFit, they are good too, but a little bit more expensive (as you pay in £) and you have to cross the border, sometimes there are huge queues.

I think you are talking about Zaragoza, problem solved if already in Zagora :innocent:

Tnx Choutos, exact the info I was looking for.


I will send motorrodar an email in advance to ask if they carry heidenau.


luc

Tell them I sent you (Víctor, brown Tenere) :thumbup1:

I can even sell you a rear Mitas C02 with only 800 Km and leave it in Motorrodar (I have also a 21" front Michelin Desert Race but I think it doesn't fit your bike) :innocent:

Anyway, drop a message when you are here and we can meet for a beer

Tnx but no tnx choutos for the tire offer. My bike dislikes non-fitting tires. Serious, I think I will buy the heidenau for its durability and light off road capacities.

I will send you a pm when I'm in the neighborhood. Would be great to get abeer