I have my trip plans coming together and will be setting off on the 20th April for a 3 week initial venture off the continent of Europe for the first time. My draft route intentions are posted on my blog at:

www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/jedicoe

I would dearly love to hear suggestions from any of you out there with respect to the amount of time I am setting myself for the basic legs of this trip and for any not to miss places you think I should head for.

Adi

Refreshed plea with the text of my route now pasted below, sorry to anyone who suffered a slow loading page and gav up trying. I am hoping this is the reason for a lack of reply.

Monday 20th April - Ride to Portsmouth for Ferry departing 23.00
Tues - Le Havre to Northern Spain long day covering as many miles as possible
Wed - Another long day through Spain aiming to get within a few hours ride of Tarifa if possible
Thurs - Ferry to Tangier then head South
Fri - Following my nose South and East
Sat - Following my nose South and East
Sun - Following my nose South and East
Monday 27th April - Hopefully close enough to Dunes to camp
Tues - Moving WEST (mapped turned the correct way round now -thanks Tim)
Wed - Across the mountains to Marrakech
Thurs - Meet Jackki at airport and chill out in Marrakech
Fri - Ride out and back to Marrakech with Jackki on the back
Sat - Drop Jackki at the Airport then head towards Rabat
Sun - Use the faster roads heading North to within a few hours of Tangier
Monday 4th May - Ferry back to Tarifa and start the journey home
Tues - Spain
Wed - Spain / France
Thurs - France
Friday 8th May Ferry leaves Le Havre at 16.00

The basic balance of the trip is getting to Marocco as quickly as possible.
Taking my time then heading South using back roads and scenic routes recommended on the HUBB. Chilling for a few days in/around Marrakech and then heading back on faster/more direct routes.
This is exciting just writing this stuff - role on the 20th April.

Hi, what type of bike are you using, in preparation for specific and very useful advice that others will no doubt give? Linzi.

It's great when I need advice on how to even post a question properly I guess - thanks Linzi.

I will be riding my Suzuki VStrom 1000 and therefore not planning much/any off-road excursions. It is fitted with road tyres and a view on whether it would be worth changing these would be welcome along with any route guidance.

Try 43places.com for other peoples' comments of places they've visited. It CAN be of limited use. Linzi.

I'd consider for a trip out from Marrakech, south on 5501 to Asni through a gorge and pehaps further. Linzi.