I was thinking of going down to Morocco to follow the Rally in 2006 but as I'm getting my new bike in November thought I might go in 2005 to get a test before RTW later in 2005.
Would anybody else be interested. I'm also keen to hear from people that have done it before (not the actual Rally - just as a spectator)

A couple of years ago I went to Arras (I think) in northern France for the start. Big party, well worth doing! The rally then took off for a special stage in the south of France. Meanwhile I hit the road and put in two 800 mile days to get to Madrid, just as the rally was also arriving.

You cannot overestimate how far these guys are driving/riding each day. I lost them at the ferry to Morocco, as I figured there was no way I could keep up as they hit the off-road bits. With the right bike and the right attitude you could do it, but it'd be a tough ride, and I'm not sure how much of the rally you'd actually see.

Maybe a better bet is to pick some point along the route and spend the day watching the guys blast past.

Good luck, Iain.

Hi,

I'm planning to see the first stage of the Dakar 2005 in Morocco, but for the moment I think that it's impossible to know the route. In any case, I will be around the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain or Morocco) to coincide with the racing atmosphere.

After that, my intention is to cross the Atlas to the Sahara dunes in Merzouga, visit Dades valley, Todra gorge and other fantastic places.

Dates in Marocco: january 2005, from 2nd to 9th (aprox.)
Departure place: Vigo, NW Spain
Motorbike: Yamaha XTZ 750, so i will ride over tarmac and trail.

If anyone wants to join this plan or suggest another similar, please contact with me.

I think it may be a amazing trip!
Enrique

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7cero

Enrique - This sounds perfect as I shall be down in Gibralter for New Years Eve with the other Rally taking place at the same time. I think its called the Plymouth-Dakar and is for the older car. I've got their website if you need it.
It sounds like you know Morocco quite well and it looks like you are going to similar places.
I'll keep in touch nearer the time

Hello Dennis,

Yes, my trip to Morocco is still going on!

I had made a route taking into account this questions:

- watch at least one stage of Dakar rally
- visit several beatiful cities and landscapes
- approach to the sahara dessert
- sleep in houses members of the Hospitality Club* if it's posible (see below)
- taking into account the GPS tracks (for example: www.voyages4x4.com)
- leave the coast for another trip

So the provisional plan is:

30/12/04 - Vigo (NW Spain) - Coimbra (Portugal)
31/12/04 - Coimbra -Tarifa
(from this, mixing road and off road)
01/01/05 - Tarifa-Tanger-Fes
02 - Fes-Beni Mellal
03 - Beni Mellal - Tazzakht
04 - Tazzakht - Merzouga
05 - Merzouga - Zagora
06 - Zagora - Tazenakht
07 - Tazenakht - Marrakech
08 - Marrakech - Meknes
09 - Meknes - Beja (Spain)
10/01/05 Beja - Vigo (only on tarmac)

Definite route details of the Dakar rally will be presented on the 17th of november, so the first days of the trip in morocco can change.

Anyway, my route is only provisional. I will listen another coments and, on route, any unexpected situation will change my way...

Tell me your opinion and plan!

*Hospitality Club (strongly recommended):
Free accommodation around the world between travelers. More info http://www.hospitalityclub.org/

Cheers,
Enrique

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7cero

Hi Enrique,
Plotted your route on my map and it looks perfect. I've also put it on the UKGS'er website forum. A guy (Spanish Bob) from Barcelona may also be in the area so may meet up with him aswell. Joined Hospitality site but can't see anyone from Morocco.
Cheers for now
Dennis

Security has tightened significantly in the last few years in Morocco regarding the Dakar. In my experience don't hold out much hope of seeing anything or finding out any information when you get there - you wil have to look on the website. Without that magic pass... try getting a pass from the organisers in advance- it would be hard to get one out there.Think you would see more the more remote the stage or farther south.

If anyone is interested in this trip, I recommend you contact us in

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MoroccoTrail/messages

It's a specific forum for this trip.

Enrique

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7cero

Hi Guys

My Wife and I followed the race last year . The website has all the basic route and timing info you need to intercept it. It is pretty hard to miss 400 odd vehicles hooning around on North afican roads.

Charlie

http://www.dakar.com/2005/presentationus/r2.html