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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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The short cut that took 6 hours
The ride from the cut off 54 km to the viewpoint at Dades Gorge took almost 6 hours. This was mostly in the last 16 km. This “short” cut was some seriously challenging riding for all of us.
 Screen Shot 2015-04-18 at 9.25.32 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Initially the road was a good dirt road with some steep switchbacks and the pass was at over 2500m.
 canyon cross road 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1328 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1329 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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There are a few people living out here in total isolation in tents with a few horses and animals.
 canyon cross road 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1286 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1289 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1291 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1298 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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From here we thought we had it made since it was only 16 km more down to the pavement, but here is where it got really hard. We were more often driving down the riverbed, which were large rocks at times. Poor Dan had to ride some of the more tricky parts TWICE!
 canyon cross road 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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The worst part was at times where the road was not washed away it was quite good, but around the next corner it was even worse than before. Like all these things where the route was really hard and the going very difficult we did not stop for photos.
 canyon cross road 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 85 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Sara whacked her right pannier on a low-outcropped rock and took a spill. No damage to her, but we had to take a rock to get the pannier back in shape.
 IMG_1330 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1333 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1335 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
We finally saw a 4 WD vehicle after here so at least the way was passable! We were mostly riding in the riverbed as the road was washed out. There were some stretches with large rocks to ride over and lots of just riding down the river.
 IMG_1338 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1340 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1353 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1359 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1378 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1379 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1381 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1383 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1384 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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When we got 4 km from the road we met 2 guys on big bikes, who by the way turned around when they eventually saw what it was like the way we had just come.
 IMG_1350 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
When we were 1 km from the road we made a left on the track and not a right across the river and Daniel almost made it thru that way, but ended up buried in the deep mud. Thanks to Bramed, who was “guiding” the other bikers as he helped us to unsuction the front tire and drag the bike back to the dryer ground.
 IMG_1388 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1387 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1390 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1392 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1393 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Sara’s bike was having issues again and now would start, but stall in first (side stand sensor) we flicked the stand up and down a few times and it worked. Later we saw that the side stand sensor must have been damaged after hitting all the rocks. As well as one of the bolts from the side stand was sheered off making it unusable.
 IMG_1395 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 canyon cross road 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1399 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1403 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 FILE0411 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1404 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_1407 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Cut the brown wire
When we got to the viewpoint it would not stay running. Lucky Dan had read ADV Geeks and we had been joking since we left Vancouver about “cutting the brown wire”. We removed the sensor, took apart the connection, cut the (center) brown middle wire, and reconnected and installed the sensor. Voila bike running!
 IMG_1409 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 IMG_3784 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 sensor by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The problem now is that it was 630 pm and we had 204 km to get to Ait Ben Haddou.
 Screen Shot 2015-04-05 at 6.19.36 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
We raced the sun and made it almost back to Ouarzazate by dark. We hate riding in the dark. The road north is on the main N9, but the last 10 km was on a road paved only in the center, which made it a challenge when there was oncoming traffic. We had reserved a hotel on bookings (as we do in Big cities, tourist towns, or when we may be very late in the day) and had the GPS coordinates. When we arrived at then GPS location the hotel was not of the name we had booked at. We checked next door and the owner said she had never heard of this property. So we checked back at the first place. The guy came out and we showed him the name and he said that is their booking.com name and he had our reservation. Long story short both were lying. The first lady owns the hotel next door to the one we booked at! The second guy did not have our reservation! Bookings is sorting it out for us.
 FILE0484 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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The back way to Marrakesh
We backtracked 10 km to the highway for gas and then thru Ait Ben Haddou again to go on the back roads north to Marrakesh in 180 KM.
 Screen Shot 2015-04-18 at 10.47.52 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The road is initially paved and snakes up into the mountain past several remote villages. The center section is a good hard packed (when dry) dirt road with only one real river crossing.
 FILE0514 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 FILE0549 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 FILE0571 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 FILE0573 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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The first day in Marrakesh we walked down the wide Paris like avenues and to the Medina thru the main gate, which is the mot picturesque and then to the main mosque. We had a strange incident on the way to the gate. Walking towards us on the 5 m wide pedestrian walk was a man dressed in white robes, with a white Moroccan hat and a long white beard. He was caring a lap top case ans seemed to be just strolling along. When he was about a meter from Orvar and Daniel who were walking just behind me he suddenly vered towards Orvar and almost chest bumped him in an aggressive manner and walked away. Very weird and a bit unnerving. The other locals looking on were also shocked at the man’s behaviour.
 marrakesh 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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20 Apr 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Like many cities here very high walls or ramparts surround the old city.
 marrakesh 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The center of the city is the main mosque, with its high minaret
 marrakesh 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
 marrakesh 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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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.
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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.
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