Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Gandini guides, worth it? Gandini guides, worth it?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By vrecha
  • 1 Post By Chris Scott

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 May 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 6
Gandini guides, worth it?
I am currently planning my first Morocco motorcycle trip.
Looking at the Gandini guides I see that most .gpx date back to 2016.
Are these still of any use today?
And more general: are the Gandini guides useful for motorcycle travel in the first place?

Thanks for your advice!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 May 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 59
I can comment only on the part VI (Le sahara "atlantique") as I know the area and people there quite well and can compare the info in the guidebook with my first hand experience.
So for the part VI, I think is worth its weight in gold, especially if you have an ambition to explore inland for the first time. Here I speak about technical info, gathered in the guidebook (gps points, info on various main pistes, collection of POI etc.) Other information, especially historical notes, are heavily biased. One of the most laughable aspects are the descriptions of the life of local Saharawi (semi)nomads and most recommendations on best behaviour for a tourist. That said, I can repeat that from the purely technical viewpoint, the guidebook is very good and very reliable source of info. I wouldn't hesitate to have other guidebooks from the series if I was interested in other parts of Morocco.
__________________
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood ...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 May 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 352
Used Part III Seguit Al Hamra extensively and found it excellent even though I cannot speak French.But you to spend a little time in the area to get use from it.If you are just passing through on a quick tour then probably not worh it.However,if you are a French reader then its a good book to have anyway.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 May 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,484
Jacques is in Morocco at the moment researching new routes for some updated editions. Not sure when they will be published though.

Lot of good background info and history in the guides if your french is good enough.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Jan 2023
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
I notice the ever-industrious Editions Extreme-Sud (J Gandini) are experimenting with foreign language editions.
They even seem to produce or sell a GPS Android tablet for €850, but preloaded with all XSud routes.

Last summer they issued 'Jebel Sagho' in English (as well as Sp, DE and IT).
Maybe that's what he was researching in 2021.
Spiral bound, all the historical stuff gets cut out to 140pp compared to the 320pp French version, but for the same unapologetic €36 plus another €20 for the tracklogs download. It's currently on amazon.uk for 40 quid, though I see French reviewers have not been so generous on the full-fat 320pp edition.
I remember trying to use Gandinis in Libya 25 years ago when there was nothing else (apart from German).
Gandini knows his history and so on and travels with a Berber guide/chum, but I'm not convinced he's learned how to lay out a guide book useably. Perhaps it doesn't matter once you buy the tracklogs.
My review of Sagho: https://sahara-overland.com/2023/01/...ff-road-guide/
Attached Thumbnails
Gandini guides, worth it?-screenshot-2023-01-17-18.33.13.jpg  

Last edited by Chris Scott; 14 Feb 2024 at 11:14.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Jan 2023
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Jacques Gandini is currently researching in preparation for an update to Vol II, "Le Sud, du Tafilalet à l'Atlantique".

My copy of that volume dates back to 2003, I think I must have missed a couple of updates!
__________________
"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)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Feb 2024
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
If you can read German this might be another contender aimed at car and truck drivers.
https://pistenkuh.de/shop/gps-offroa...nbuch-marokko/

For your 50 euros shipped, you get 45 routes - mostly in the desert - and a code to download waypoints (not in the text) and tracklogs for each route.

I would add that Pisteknkuh produces several similar guidebooks RTW (this one was done over 6 months non stop at the end of Covid) so will not have the decades of knowledge and know-how of Gandini or some us here on the HUBB
Last edited by Chris Scott; 14 Feb 2024 at 19:42.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Is the WR250R worth the hassle over a CRF250L Super Sonic Rocketship Which Bike? 97 23 Apr 2018 12:55
Yazd - Iran - Guides. joasphoto Route Planning 0 6 Jan 2014 14:22
Western Sahara coast road.....worth doing??? Bonniebird Morocco 22 21 Oct 2013 09:31
Is it worth it? gnosis89 Which Bike? 18 8 Mar 2013 06:03

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:14.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top