Hi everyone, this is my first post and would like to ask some questions that could help me on my first ever motorcyle adventure!

A bit about me: I'm 20, live in Cornwall, England. Had a bike for 3 years(ish) CG125 then an XL125 now an XR400. Been Chefing for a few years and am joining the Household Cavalry in February. Me and my friend plan to ride to Morocco and back in January, me on my XR400 and him on his XT350. I have been all over the world but always by plane or driving holidays with my father, and this will be my first trip without my dad (who has always payed and planned lol) Last time I was abroad was when I was 15 to the States. At 16 my father said I now need to pay for myself so England I have stayed since then!!! haha.

Our plan so far has been to ride to Portsmouth, get the ferry to St Malo, France. then ride down the East coast of Spain to Almeria where we will cross to Melilla explore Morocco, then head to Ceuta to cross to Algeciras. Source a new rear tyre then head up through Portugal cross back into France and then Ferry back! This is over about 4 weeks.

As far as luggage and packing, we have that sorted. There is plenty of information that we have found to cover that. Both bikes are mechanically sound and will have consumables replaced. We will fit Maxxis Desert IT PRO tyre for the rear, regular for front as they seem to last for ever (well, ages for a knobby) and we plan on a reasonable amount of dirt riding. We will be 90% camping and wild camping as much as we can to keep costs down, as well as cooking most of our meals on camp stoves. Both our bikes carry about 9 Liters of Petrol and we both have 4, 2 Liter mini jerry cans (fuel friends) giving us a range of about 200 miles.

My main concern at the moment is riding through France and crossing the mountains in January, is it best to stick to a coastal pass? Any tips or information would be great! I'm not to sure what to expect from the trip, but we both want to see some great sights, experience a different culture and gets some good off road riding in.

Hope anyone can give us some good information!

Edward.