Morocco - Oct '09

[StevieB_]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Morocco this October where id like to ride several of the routes in Chris Scotts - Sahara Overland book. It would be great to have some contacts who will be out there the same time as me, even better would be a riding partner...

I'm flexible with my plans once in Morocco , but basically ill be riding down from Sheffield to Portsmouth and get the ferry to Santander then ride down through Spain (I have accommodation in southern Spain) and hop on the boat to Ceuta.

So, i would love to hear from anyone who is planning a similar journey, please get in touch!

Stephen.

[JMo (& piglet)]

If you are down that way at the end of October, the Heroes-Legend Rally will be passing though Morocco via Nador and the east side of the country (Erg Chebbi etc), then across the bottom and close to Quarzazate, before heading down to Western Sahara and Mauritania...

I'll be the one on the Yamaha Tenere...

xxx

[StevieB_]

At this stage i cant say for sure where ill be at that time, but you never know

Hopefully though there will be others riding around Morocco at that time who i will meet up with...

[betterfastermore]

SteveB, How long do you think your trip will be? I have been interested in going to morocco for awhile. Timing is a little cruitial, and unfortunately I don't have a ton of it. I was thinking that I would try to do something over the holidays in Dec, but that no longer looks to be possible. I might be able to do something in late Oct or Nov. As it gets closer to that time I will know more.

Whats your plan for Morocco. Exlpore and camp, or base at a few hotels and mostly do day rides out and around?

Lets stay in touch and maybe I can join you. My work schedule is a little volatile, so it can be hard to plan that far out.

BFM

[StevieB_]

Hey BFM,

Time is my problem too! I have to fit this trip in around work so im using all my 15 days holiday i have, plus another 3 days unpaid, so i have 18 days in total.

Im looking to leave the UK for Spain on the 30th Sep and return 22nd Oct.

With regards to my plans in Morocco im leaning more towards exploring and camping, and perhaps staying in Hotels where i find them and want a change from camping. My plans are quite 'loose' atm tbh

What are your plans once in Morocco? Would you be able to get those dates off (or aroundabouts)?

It would be great to meet up somewhere along the way for part or all the journey, so please let me know.

Stephen

[Dick]

JMO, this is a dreadful thread hijack but have you entered the Heroes on your Tenere ?

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Dick

JMO, this is a dreadful thread hijack but have you entered the Heroes on your Tenere ?

Hijack Alert (although hopefully not on the event itself of course!)...

Yes, I will be on a new Tenere - it will have a few mods to the suspension and wheelset to cope, but otherwise be pretty stock...

It's proved to be an excellent long-distance travel bike, and I trust it will be equally good as (the basis of) a long distance rally bike too...

Of course it's a shame ASO have dropped the open class bikes from 2010, but then for me it is all about the romance of actually racing (from Paris) to Dakar anyway...

xxx

[palace15]

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

Hijack Alert (although hopefully not on the event itself of course!)...

Yes, I will be on a new Tenere - it will have a few mods to the suspension and wheelset to cope, but otherwise be pretty stock...

It's proved to be an excellent long-distance travel bike, and I trust it will be equally good as (the basis of) a long distance rally bike too...

Of course it's a shame ASO have dropped the open class bikes from 2010, but then for me it is all about the romance of actually racing (from Paris) to Dakar anyway...

xxx

You could have got this from a friend of mine at Ripley !!

As he slithered topless from his tent her eyes were fixed upon his torso, and later whilst she sat with friends in a circle like Indian warriors, he rode onto the camp, and like a schoolgirl bursting to be excused from class her hand shot skywards, in a wave to her prey, others around filled breakfast bowls of cereal, her heart was only filled with anticipation, will they find love on the Pyreknees up, or will she hunt me down instead?

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by dave ede

You could have got this from a friend of mine at Ripley !!

As he slithered topless from his tent her eyes were fixed upon his torso, and later whilst she sat with friends in a circle like Indian warriors, he rode onto the camp, and like a schoolgirl bursting to be excused from class her hand shot skywards, in a wave to her prey, others around filled breakfast bowls of cereal, her heart was only filled with anticipation, will they find love on the Pyreknees up, or will she hunt me down instead?

Ha ha ha - yes she will hunt you down like the dog you are, and kill you!

Excellent!

xxx

ps. this really is a thread hijack now x

[palace15]

Hi Jen
What is your race number for the Heroes legends?
Any idea why Stephane Peterhansel is race director, what happened to Hubert Auriol?

How about starting your own thread, or will you continue to hijack?

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by dave ede

Hi Jen
What is your race number for the Heroes legends?
Any idea why Stephane Peterhansel is race director, what happened to Hubert Auriol?

How about starting your own thread, or will you continue to hijack?

Hee hee - one more hijack to answer your questions, but yes, I will be starting a dedicated thread once I start to build the bike up (bits are arriving all the time now - lovely shiny expensive bits!)

I believe I am number 041, but that might just be the admin number - I'll be in the Open Moto catagory...

As far as I can see, Stephane Peterhansel took over for two reasons: the first is that Hubert Auriol has started his own event (Africa Race) which ran the first edition this January (which is perhaps one of the reasons Heroes Legend moved towards the end of this year?, it was originally in March). The second is that they wanted to expand the classes in HL - presumably the number of Classic entries was declining (after all, this event has run for three previous editions, and perhaps the Classic riders have felt they have achieved all they can in that regard?) From what I understand, the course/road book for this year is going to be more 'adventurous' than previous editions... but then they all say that don't they?

It will be interesting to see how the Africa Race stacks up against the Heroes Legend - certainly the AR website is very fancy (even if they have added the dreaded 'Eco' word to their title this year) - and because of the time of year they run it (end of December/early Jan), it is rather nobly being billed (by those Yankees over on ADV rider at least) as a 'replacement' for the original ASO event that happened to be held that time of year... However, as some wag pointed out - 8 moto entries does not make an international event!

Of course it is still in it's early stages, (and little acorns etc etc), but unless KTM do get on board with them, then I can't see how the privateer contingent can support two African rallies basically doing the same route? - especially as the HL does actually go all the way from Paris to Dakar, like the good old days x

Anyways, I've nailed my colours to the mast for Heroes Legend this year - I think it especially relevant that Peterhansel is race director, and I'm riding a Tenere on the 'classic' Dakar route - that's more than enough for me!

xxx

[betterfastermore]

StevieB,

Well, not to interupt the hijacked thread, ;-}

As for the dates. I will have to look at them at work. I think I will be in Corsica till Oct 9th. I will probably have about the same amount of time that I can take off, but I don't think I can start until after I get back from Corsica. If you were to back the dates up a bit to Mid October, I could probably join you in Spain. I hate to ask you to do that because with my work things could change and I would suck to leave you hanging last minute.

Keep in touch and as it gets closer I might be able to firm things up with my schedule. Oct. is too far out at this point to be sure of anything.

I was thinking of pretty much doing the same. I would like to do some camping and some hotels. I just got my BMW F800 GS a few months ago. The plan was to spend the summer getting it set up for a long trip by taking lots of smaller trips. So far, that really hasn't come to fruition with work and all. I did finally get some Touratech panniers and some other goodies. I still have the stock tires on it, so I probably need to put some sort of knobbies on it for a Morocco trip.

What are you riding? Have you done any of these kind of trips before? I have not. I rode motocross when I was kid, and then got into sport bikes in college. Now I am looking to do adventure travel, so that is why I bought the 800GS. I haven't really had a chance to do much of it, but that is why I am on the forum. The hardest part for me is finding the time to take the trips. I am going to try to ride down to Italy the last week of July (for work). Hopefully I will get a feel for how to pack the bike on that trip. I will be tied up all of August so there won't be any traveling then. The Corsica trip isn't 100% yet, so it will be a matter of waiting to see until it gets closer.

I have to admit, I don't know much about Morocco. Other than just wanting to go and thinking it would be fun, I am not sure what to do there. I hear the mountains are great riding, but probably will be cool to cold in Sept/Oct. What are your thoughts?

BFM

[StevieB_]

BFM,

I dont mind re-jigging the dates...if you did decide to join up with me but couldn't at the last minute i would just go on my own - but off-course it would be great to have you along. The only thing is the ferry tickets to/from Santander, id need to purchase these at some point for a specific date and once id got them i doubt i could change the dates without a cost involved. But there is plenty of time yet that i can hold of getting these, i think.

I had too smile when reading your last post it sounds like your in exactly the same position as me! I too have just recently got my bike for this trip and have no experience of adventure riding on a motorbike, but its just something i fancy doing now. I have been riding for about 4 years now so i have some experience but am lacking the off-road ability, but im sure i can pick that up quickly. I have been to Morocco twice before so have some idea what it will be like.

The bike i got is a Suzuki DR650 SE its a fairly new model and conveniently already had a large fuel tank and decent bash plate fitted when i brought it.

I've still got a fair few items to purchase for the trip but as far as i can see its just a matter of choosing the right gear, spending the money and throwing it in the bags. I need to choose some good tyres too. Im going to buy some soft luggage and will take as little as possible as i want to travel light.

I think Sep/Oct would be an alright time to go. I did a quick search and it seems that for morocco your looking at a max. temperature of around 28 oC over in the UK at the moment we have similar temperatures - and it does feel quite hot. The mountains would be cooler like you say and i think that is definitely a good thing in the day time - im guessing at night it gets alot colder.

Im just wanting to get out there have a bit of an adventure, explore around and enjoy it. I know its not going to be 'holiday' and may be hard going/frustrating at times but i fancy a bit of a challenge and its one of the reasons im going tbh.

If you could get some firm dates off from work it would be better, otherwise we could arrange to meet up nearer the time so please let me know.

Stephen.

[rockwell114]

HI Stephen,
just sat here thinking what i can do October, I may be interested if you want a riding partner. Travelled a fair bit in Europe but never touched Morocco.Retired 56, time not a issue, riding a GSA 1200. Let me .
Regards Mel

[StevieB_]

Hi Mel,

You'd be more than welcome to join me. Would you be able to do those dates i suggested? I really need to properly plan my route through Morocco, did you have anything in mind once there?

Stephen.