Thanks guys, great advice.

We were debating between El Jadida and Essouria because the latter has a huge music fesitval the weekend we'll be there, so we just decided to make both destinations part of the trip. (http://www.festival-gnaoua.net/en/)

We decided to stay in Ifran instead of Midlet on our way from Merzouga to Chefchaouen. We realize this will be a long day in the saddle, but that's one of only two full days riding with rest days on either side, so it should be fine.

Tafroute and Zagora look like they'd add about 4hrs to the trip to Merzouga and we would have to miss the Dades Valley and the Todgha Gorge without backtracking a bit, so we may skip those unless we're convinced otherwise.

Here is our current plan: (I feel schizophrenic for changing it so many times, but we're just going to play it by ear anyway haha)

Marrakesh – Essaouira- 183km, 2:27, Day 1 May 16th
Rest day Essaouira – Music Festival Day 2
Essaouira – El Jadida – 254km 3:24 Day 3
Rest day El Jadida Day 4
El Jadida – Asilah – 394km, 4:05 Day 5
Asilah – Chefchaouen –133km, 2:03 Day 6
Rest day in Chefchaouen (or Asilah day before) Day 7
Chefchaouen – Meknes - 192km, 2:24 – Day 8
Rest day in Meknes (or Ifran a day later) Day 9
Meknes – Ifran –67km, 1:12 Day 10
Ifran – Merzouga –401km, 5:10 Day 11
Saraha Trip - Day 11-12
Merzouga – Tinghir –199km, 2:40 Day 13
Tinghir – Marrakesh – 541km, 7:22 Day 14
Tour Marrakesh Day 15
Depart Marrakesh– Day 16

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marr...89!2d31.63!3e0