Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

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


Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



Like Tree168Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #886  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
We continued walking and entered the next walled area of the city. Here there was a warren of streets and we all felt a bit uncomfortable when approached by a group of young men who wanted to “take us to see the synagogue”. Then we were more so when they started to follow us. Luckily we were quickly out onto a main street crowded with people and this led to the main city wall and our hotel.


fes 129 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

fes 130 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

fes 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

fes 133 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

fes 136 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


fes 138 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #887  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Robbed in Fes

The hotel on bookings offered private on site parking, but when we arrived this was actually parking on the street out front. The manager said to park on the sidewalk out front and he would have a guard 24/7. Despite this when we got out to the bikes on the second morning Daniel’s cover was partly off and someone had tried to pry off the Tourtech GPS mount and Orvar’s dry bag with rain gear and spare gloves was gone. The guard says he watched the bikes all night and was lying and/or allowed someone to steal the bag. Not a great start to the day. No one working at the hotel seemed to really care. The feeling here in Fez in general is that 95 % of the people who approach you in a friendly manner want you to give them money or more often to sell you something. This is unlike for example Brazil where 99% of people who approach you are just being friendly. It gets very tiring to be harassed all day.

fes 139 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #888  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Ar-Rachidia

Today we are headed south towards the desert and we decided to make 2 short days into one long one and go to Midelt and then to Errachidia (or Ar-rachida) in 337 KM.

Screen Shot 2015-03-30 at 10.56.36 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Leaving thru the gates of Fes we had already decided to put the bad behind us because today was going to be a great day.

Ar-Rachidia 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We started driving up and up and were soon in the snow near Azrou at Ifrane, which has a bit of a Swiss feel.


Ar-Rachidia 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #889  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Snow and Monkeys!

We continued higher and there was much more snow. Suddenly when we came around a corner there were monkeys everywhere. We had some bananas with us so we stopped to feed them.

Ar-Rachidia 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #890  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Skiing??

Just a few km up the road we came across guys renting ski equipment and toboggans for a few dollars. The hike up was steep so it was one run for 1$ in the end.

Ar-Rachidia 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #891  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Before you get to Midelt you come around the corner on the descent from the mountains to a panoramic view of the snow capped Atlas Mountains. If you can get a room here there is a Kasbah Asmaa with an unbelievable view. Part of our reason to keep going on from here is that they were fully booked, and there is no other real reason to stay here.

Ar-Rachidia 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

DSC01843 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0672 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #892  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
You continue farther south skirting the foothills to the town of Errachidia.

IMG_0696 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0697 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0690 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

DSC09323 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Ar-Rachidia 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #893  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Here we had booked into a very nice Kasbah run by a nice German woman. The staff is super friendly and the rooms comfortable. It is 30 E for a room, dinner, and breakfast. In Morocco a Dar is a small hotel with or without a garden but no trees, a Riad is a hotel with a garden that has at least 1 tree, and a Kasbah is a hotel that is a collection of buildings around a treed garden.

Ar-Rachidia 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

FILE0735 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0703 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #894  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
Merzouga

We took the scenic route to Merzouga thru Goulmima instead of the main road and this was only an extra 70 km for a total of 201 km. This is about as close to Algeria as we will get.

Screen Shot 2015-03-30 at 10.57.51 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2015-03-30 at 10.58.21 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The power to the entire town is off 1 day per month and this was the day. This meant no power for the gas pumps. Luckily we all had enough to get to the next town 60 km away and they had power.

merzouga 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #895  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
This route takes a cross road to Erfoud, which passes thru a number of small villages.


merzouga 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0725 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0719 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

FILE0851 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #896  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
We saw out first camels today including a baby one.


FILE0962 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #897  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
We drove towards Merzouga and finally saw the big dunes of the red Sahara.


merzouga 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We stopped in the town for some lunch and to make a plan. We had considered camping, but its 30 plus degrees.

merzouga 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We backtracked to the next big dunes and to the Kasbah Mohayut recommended by our rider friend Eduard who lives in a small village nearby.


DSC01861 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #898  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
We settled in and then decided to hike out onto the dunes for the sunset.

IMG_0759 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

DSC01876 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

DSC01878 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #899  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
It is so touristy, but we had to do the camel ride to the dunes for the sun set and it was worth it for sure. Getting up at 5 am we boarded our camels and set out in the pitch black. The number of starts was unreal.

merzouga 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We “parked” the camels and walked up one of the big dunes. Our driver brought a Berber blanket to sit on since the sand is really cold.


merzouga 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



merzouga 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


merzouga 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


merzouga 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




merzouga 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




merzouga 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




merzouga 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
  #900  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
We had some fun skiing down the dunes. The only small incident was when Sara was trying to get back on her camel it decided to stand up and tossed her off. Just a bell ringer, but no serious damage.


merzouga 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

IMG_0909 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 120 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 125 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 126 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

merzouga 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!






www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 19 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 19 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
Round the world on a DR-z400 petefoulkes Ride Tales 33 29 Dec 2012 23:01
Ride for Rangers ozranger Make a Difference 1 28 Nov 2012 00:13
22 ride guides available for central Veracruz and eastern Puebla, Mexico MikeMike Central America and Mexico 11 6 Sep 2012 12:44
Rally Around the World First-Leg Ride - Nasvhville TN - Sat July 28, 2012 Bradthompson59 Motorcycle Events around the world 0 6 Jul 2012 21:49
Around the World in 80 Movies jopos Ride Tales 0 17 May 2012 08:45

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22 SOLD OUT!
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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!

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 10:01.