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Obsessions and Morocco again
Two years ago a crazy couple went all the way down to Morocco, with a just obtained motorcycle license and without any experience. In only four days I'll be eating cous-cous and drinking mint tea again. This time on my own.
There were months of preparation (and for sure there will be things to do the day of departure): tools, camping gear, paperwork, bike prep... Almost all the stuff I will carry: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/671/2...4af3a860be.jpg But what defines this trip are my obsessions, each day I have a new one. Let's go by parts. New Shoes In my previous trip to Morocco, the bike had a set of Michelin T63, a good 50/50 tyre, they did it quite well both on and off road. Once the Michelin were worn out I found a good deal for a set of Avon Distanzia, I hadn't planned a new trip to Morocco (but to Switzerland instead), so the Avon looked like a good choice... And the tyres were one of my obsessions. My first thought was to do the trip with the Avon, practically new (only 1500 Km), they are not a 50/50 but a trail tyre anyway... why not? Finally my wife convince me: if I'm going to Morocco would be stupid not to enjoy at maximum because the tyres are not the best for the trip. It was decided, I'll change them for knobby tyres... but what tyres? I spent hours and hours diving in internet forums, I need something good for dirt tracks, a little bit of sand, maybe mud... I couldn't decide, everyone has their opinion. Finally I opted for the following combination: Michelin Desert Race front and Mitas C02 rear. I'll tell you my opinion when I'm back :) Before and after, I hadn't ever seen a tyre like the Mitas C02, looks extreme: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5713/...5ce38962f2.jpg So happy with her new shoes... https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5739/...571690d25f.jpg Flat tyres This is my main obsession, what if I find myself in the middle of nowhere with a simple flat tyre. What a waste of time to solve the situation if I don't carry the right tools to fix it! One of the things I was looking to choose the tyres was that they were hard enough to prevent easy punctures. And almost all the tools and spares I'm carrying are to fix a flat tyre: spare 21" tube, C02 bottle, air pump, etc. Camping Is it worth to camping in Morocco? There are plenty of hotels and they are inexpensive. But if I am in the middle of nowhere and the sun is hidding? (what if I have a puncture? eh? eh?) But camping gear add means more weigh and less space. Light tents and sleeping bags are expensive, and cheap gear is heavier and larger... I was determined to risk and go without tent, but finally I found an Arpenaz 2 in the Decathlon, 2 and a half Kg, 57x16cm and 22€. It's half a cm larger and a little bit heavier than I'd like, but you can't have any better for that price. Stuff I'll leave at home and things I'd like to have I'm not carrying a lot of tools that I don't know how to use, clothes probably I won't wear and that mosquito repellent that I didn't use in the previous trip. What I like to have? A better camera for better pictures and an action camera to film while riding, but I don't have the money for them (I accept sponsors BTW :p). And of course a lot of improvement for my bike, the only things I did were the tyres and change the rear brake pads. Let's see how it goes |
Changing tubes on a Tenere rim is a life-shortening experience and two levers isn't enough. I'd stick in a third, small, tyre lever to help. I would also take a spare tube for both tyres.
Refitting the rear wheel back together with the spacers is very difficult. Stick the spacers on either side of the hub, then find a thin branch and break it so it's just long enough to go through the rear wheel hub plus the spacers to support everything whilst you lift it into place. You need to be sitting on the ground behind the bike to be able to raise the wheel with your knees to the right height, then mount the wheel and drift the branch out as you fit the hub bolt. You may want to find a thin branch and stick it into your panniers before heading off into the treeless void... Of course the above assumes you have a centre stand. Not sure how you go about it if you have to lay the bike down. Important: are you carrying the 14mm hex key that you need for the front wheel removal? You'll need sun cream at least for your nose/face. Have fun! |
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Important: are you carrying the 14mm hex key that you need for the front wheel removal?Very useful info, thank you Tim. Now I'm not sure if I should carry an extra tyre lever and 17" tube or leave all the tools and spares at home because I won't be able to fix a puncture anyway :P. Sun cream is on my list :) |
That tire looks like it means business!
Just curious, what were your reasons for picking that combination? Why not 2 x Deserts for example? |
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Today it was quite frightening riding on tarmac, I hope it will improve after few km. |
Did it feel like it was dropping into bends? It will soon get better.
(Well, actually it won't, what actually happens is that you get used to the feeling and then it's weird going back onto road tyres.) ;) |
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The Mitas rear you have chosen need scrubbing in before they are any good on tarmak... There is loads of stuff on web about them.. here are a couple...
'I run a C02 on my CRM. It took a while to scrub in. Until it had, the bike would spin up the rear, let go mid-corner and genarally misbehave - and that was on tarmac! Now it's scrubbed in it is miles better. I'm not sure I'd like one on an AT.' 'I run C02 and C17front on my AT. They are great. Love them offroad. About tarmac: Belive me that C02 will become stable after 500km. At the beginning C02 misbehaves rapidly.... ' Cheers Bones |
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Take it easy and you'll be fine :thumbup1:
PS... if it's sliding now without luggage.... you will be riding speedway style when ur fully loaded doh |
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Seriously, I think I'll be fine. It's just I feel like a total novice on the bike. |
First day and already fell twice. Nothing important, it was at very low speed.
It's been a hell, the fery had 4 hours of delay It's raining and a lot of fog, I hope the weather improves tomorrow. I'm in M'diq (only 60 km today) about to have dinner. I think I need some rest. |
M'diq used to be paradise on earth. I remember parking up my TriBSA 750 cafe racer in 1972 and parting the fronds of tamarisk to see this marvellous totally unspoilt crescent beach that extended for many km towards Ceuta.
Somewhat different nowadays! Anyway, I'm sure everything will get better. |
Hey Choutos,
absolutely know what you're talking about when it comes to the tyres. I got TKC 80s on my twin (had Heidenau K60 Scouts before) and they need to be ridden very carefully for the first few hundred miles. Fell off once in light rain near Tetouan as well... didn't take much at all... especially since the dust on Moroccan roads can make them super slippery once they get a bit wet. The good news is, once the thread on the tyres is rounded off a bit things do get MUCH better and now I have a lot of fun with them. I'm in Imilchil in the High Atlas (Chris Scott's MH1) at the moment and will be going down towards Dades tomorrow. So, should you be anywhere near, it might be good to join forces. I'll be in the country till mid October. Just PM me. Best of luck, and don't give up...the scenery further south is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen! Paul |
Absolutely! The tyres improved after 200 Km and now behave :).
I had a lot of fun riding through the plateu du Rekkam. https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...mf_200x200.png |
In Agadir waiting for Monday tomorrow to buy new rear tire to head south to Mauritany.
Have a lot of doubts about offroad tire or not because I m planning on going to Atar if possible but the tire will not last long in asphalt. See what I find tomorrow. Anyone heading for Laayoune at the moment? |
I can't help you as I've never been to Mauritania, but a senegalese couple I met in the ferry were travelling home and they said that is all tarmac and the rroads are in good condition. AAlldepends on your plans, and I'm sure there are more experienced people in the hubb that can help you.
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The road is completely empty at this time, even so every inch of the 13Km between San Roque and Algeciras is a real fight against these tyres. It feels like ice skating... without skates.
I leave A Capitana in the parking lot and rush to buy the ticket. Too late for the ferry of 8:00, the next option is Balearia at 10:00, not so bad. I am going one day later anyway, after the unexpected rain the day before and my lack of confidence in the Mitas C02, I decided that would be wise to delay the trip just one day. It's not raining today and here I am, buying a ticket for the 10:00 ferry which "will depart at 11:00, we are late". And to make it even better, back to the bike I realize that the plate number is wrong on the ticket. The Balearia's clerk assures me that it's not a problem at all, the police will only check the registration papers. He looks very convinced, so I believe him. But, if nobody checks that, why bother to put it? I am one of the firsts in the queue and this already starts to feel a little bit Moroccan, a "fixer" approach me offering -in exchange of a little tip- the form to fill out to enter in Morocco. Paper which, of course, I'll get in the ferry for free. I don't understand how works this thing of different transport companies, but for some mysterious reason the people queueing for the Acciona's ferry at 11:30 is advancing while we are still waiting (with departure at 10:00/11:00). Finally the girl at Balearia's desk was wrong and we're not departing at 11... but at 12. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/742/2...5ce725883b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5649/...3c713b215d.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5754/...822c84e5ac.jpg At the boat the party continues. The people started to create a queue while writing down their details in the form. Half an hour later an agent of the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie arrives and he decides to sit in a different place: Races, chaos and people getting angry just in a moment. I finished with the procedures and now I'm feeling really tired, it's more than noon and I woke up at 5:30 this morning. It's lunch time, happily Deli anticipated this and she prepared a sandwich and some fruit :clap: . I'll miss her in this adventure. "A Capitana" is the only bike in the ferry, so I'll be the first getting out of the boat. The same bureaucracy of two years ago: Show the passport more times than would be needed with just a bit of common sense and organization, walk down and up to get the famous "green paper" (temporary vehicle importation), document to be showed just 100 metres ahead from the place where is obtained. Ridiculous. But all this is secondary, I am now officially in Morocco. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/763/2...ab8aa451bb.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/715/2...df61f20ef0.jpg |
I was putting together all the photos and videos from the trip and just realized how little footage I have, next time I'll film more (and better!). But I managed to make this video, not very good but I hope you enjoy it guys.
http://www.youtube.com/v/g6cJWjdXVdc |
Not many people get as close to the Algerian border as you, well done.
It's good to see you have a sense of humour and I had to laugh at the several clips of you trying to lift the bike. A tip: firstly if possible take off the panniers and other luggage, then stand with your back to the bike, grip the pannier rail in your left hand, the handlebar in your right, and use the power of your legs to raise the bike, all the while keeping your back straight so you don't injure yourself. Without pannier rails it's practically impossible to lift the Tenere single handed. |
Thanks Tim!
I thought that would be easier to found the border, it was a bit hidden but with the GPS I managed to found it in Ahfir. I know the theory to lift the bike, but in the practice it didn't work. My first mistake was to not carry some tools in the tankbag, I secured the panniers with zipties to alleviate the vibrations and all the tools were... in the left pannier. doh And laughing at ourselves is quite healthy, isn't it? |
Hi Choutos,
I'm enjoying your trip story, keep it coming. |
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