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5 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Hi Stephen,
Sorry for delay in responding, i rode down to South Wales on Friday to brush up on my off road skills with Simon Pavey and his gang (BMW ORS).
Unfortunately i had a major off yesterday afternoon and Broke my collar bone ,ended up in Hereford Hospital, back home now bored out of my pants with 6 weeks recovery time ahead of me.
I am really open to any Ideas regarding routing etc, I'm up for any adventure. I also have accommodation 1 hour north of Alicante and have done the Santander crossing a few times.
What kind of time duration are you looking at?
Whats your preference on accomadation?
I'm really a flexable guy wether it's Hotel,B&B,Hostel,Camping.
I'm not that knowledgable about Morocco so i will need to do some digging and investigating.
Regards Mel
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6 Jul 2009
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This sounds like just what I'm looking for too. I've done mucho riding round France / Spain etc (like 20,000 miles at a guess) but like you have recently bought an 'adventure' bike and am up for something a little further afield and more challenging than 3 days in the Alps! Luckily I bought an F800GS with all the go further bits added, so I just need to get on and go.
I've been looking at the proper organised tours, and they all want upwards of £1000, and that's AFTER you get yourself to southern Spain! 
I'm sure it can be done much cheaper than this - have you considered costs yet?
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7 Jul 2009
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Thanks for everyone's reply's so far, it looks like there may be a few of us up for this trip which is really great! I am going to spend this weekend putting a rough route together, i will post it so people can suggest changes if they want.
Mel- Sorry to here about your off, hope you make a speedy recovery. Ive got a little over 3 weeks to do this trip and a few of those days will be spent travelling to and from Morocco...I would like to do a bit of camping, but it sounds like there are many cheap hotels around...Feel free to suggest a route once you have done some investigating.
Dave - tbh i haven't really got a budget as such in terms of a figure but im keeping a spreadsheet of everything im spending for this trip. I guess all the kit i buy will come in useful for other trips and activities - i do want to do it as cheaply as possible but not at the cost of poor quality kit.
I notice your in Witney, my parents live in Oxford and i sometimes go back there for the weekend - we'll have to meet up sometime and discuss ideas!
I realise i could go on one of those tours but part of the attraction for me is that i plan everything and decide where to go and what to do etc.
Stephen
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7 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
hi Stephen,
i will also spend some time this week re-searching Morocco, there are only really a couple of options for the Spanish bit due to time scale.
There is always the option of Billys Bike Truck ,but he goes i believe in September, he picks your bike up, delivers it to Malaga, where you get a cheap Ryanair flight too, do the trip to Morocco return to Malaga,Fly back,Cost £500.00 to £550.00. I'm sure It's the end of September because the kids are back at school and the flights are cheaper.
If you analyze the cost you can't ride there and back for that money taking into account Ferries overnight accommodation ,Fuel etc, just something to throw into the ideas box.
Stephen just give me a few days notice when you have a meet up with Dave and i will have a ride down to Witney.
Regards Mel
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7 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Hi Stephn,
PS.
check out biketruck.com
Mel
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12 Jul 2009
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Hi Dave/Mel,
I'm going to be riding down to Oxford next Friday and will be staying over at my parents for the weekend. Im going to the Air Tatoo @ Fairford on Saturday, but can i suggest we all meet up on Sunday?
Please let me know if your up for this and we can arrange a place and time.
Ive had a look at the biketruck website, your right it is a good price will have to see.
Cheers
Stephen.
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13 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Hi Stephen/Dave
Sorry can't make Sunday, we have a flight booked to Spain leaving this Friday returning the 27thJuly.
I've started to compile knowledge sheets and maps of Morocco with a few idea's to run past you guys.
I see Chris Scott was publishing a new book with more new routes
(out early 2009) ,Steve have you got this latest edition ?
I bumped into the bike truck guy at the Ted Simon night at Touratech,
it does make a lot of sense doing it that way but obviously it has to work for all parties as he has set the dates, if you think it may be of interest just give the guy a courtesy phone call and he will explain in detail how it all works,
he does this on a regular basis and seems to have a good following.
Really sorry about next Sunday , i think this is our first vacation since before Xmas so i can't move it around (sods law), to my knowledge i have nothing going on after the 27th so i will be free for a meet up.
Mel
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13 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Hi Stephen,
That new book came out 30th June so i guess you have the previous eddition, I've orederd the new one anyway.
If you do talk to Bike Truck the guy's name is Billy, I think he is from your neck of the woods.
Regards Mel
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13 Jul 2009
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Can't do Sunday either I'm afraid!
The Bike truck thing is a great idea, but it seems he's going too early, I certainly can't do those dates.
Does seem a tad expensive, as even allowing 1000 miles of extra riding, that still only equates to £75 (60mpg @ £4.50 per gallon). Throw in a couple of night stops at a half decent B&B and you're still only at £200.
The ferry is still the better option I think, albeit you spend two days on there not on your bike!
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13 Jul 2009
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Hi,
Yeh the book i got is Sahara Overland, i literally just recieved it then found there is the new book, Morocco Overland, which would be more suitable for what i want to do!! ah well...
I imagine most of the information on preparation etc. is similar but i think it has some different and better? routes in Morocco.
Mel, let us know what you think of the book when you get it, am tempted to buy it anyway if its good.
I brought a map of Morocco at the weekend (Mitchelin 742) so hopefully i will post a route soon! Id be be interested to hear your ideas for a route too... 
Regarding the meet we'll just have to arrange some other time when everyone is free.
Stephen.
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13 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Hi Stephen / Dave
It's a shame those dates are too early as there is a cost and time saving.
Both P&O and Brittany are quoting £300 to £330 return for the first few weeks in October .
I don't think you will do central England to the departure port in Spain in 1000 miles there and back , I've done the Santander route numerous times and then drove to Alicante and I'm sure that leg is approx 600 miles that's without going further south and the road leg in the U/K.
Also if you were thinking about some kind of trail riding in Morocco you could fit Enduro tyres before the trip .
I reckon by the time you take into consideration fuel,food,accommodation and ferry you will be close to £700.00 this does not take into consideration wear and tare on Bike .
Ryanair cost £78.00 Return plus Billy Bike Truck £500.00 to £550 Total less than £625.00 .
I'm not really concerned about the price difference , it's being able to spend more time in Morocco without racing to get there and back.
The only downside are the dates as you say Dave, I'm easy i can go at any time as long as my shoulder has healed in time.
It may be time to exchange email address and phone numbers, have a think guys and let me know.
 
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14 Jul 2009
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Good point, I hadn't considered my maths was for a one way trip. Doh!
I'm afraid I really can't get leave from work for those dates, so it's the first three in October really (27th Sept onwards is fine).
Maybe it's worth contacting the BIke Truck man to see if he'll do another date? He's due back on the 21st Sept... I've dropped him an email to find out his minimum numbers and any date flexibility.
Dave.
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14 Jul 2009
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Morocco Trip
Good thinking Batman. You never know.
Regards Mel
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14 Jul 2009
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Ive been doing some thinking and working out costs, while initially i wasnt too keen on the bike truck idea - im starting to change my mind.
At the moment the ferry to Santander is £200 return id say you could get 2 nights accommodation in Spain (1 there, 1 back) and food for £100. That just leaves fuel and using Daves calculation that would be £150 so that is £450 Total.
Now time wise i reckon your looking at 3 days to get to the south of Spain and about the same back which equates to around 2000 miles and as much as i love Spain, this trip is about Morroco so we get more time there.
I think the extra cost is worth it for the extra time we get for not having to ride down through Spain, and stuff like changing tyres to.
So i just wonder about the dates now, i cant take anymore days of than i already have so there may be a problem there but i will get in touch with guy and see what he can do for around the dates i have booked off (30th Sep - 25th Oct)
Cheers,
Stephen.
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15 Jul 2009
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I'm going to book those same dates off work today, so at least we have one fixed point to work from!
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