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I think we'll need transport for all parts - with a 6m old in tow the bike rides will be morning jaunts when I can squeeze them in rather than our means of getting round the country (sadly).
That said I keep saying cycle tour holidays are the way forward... Just not sure we can manage it yet logistically! A year or two...
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I'm having problems exporting the map from Google Maps. Route was ride out from Marrakesh via Al Haouz up into the foothills where I wildcamped. Next day was up and over the summit with an amazing descent wild camping in some agricultural land in Asif Tifnout. Next day road to Agadir. First and last days were least pleasant (flat and in the latter case v hot) and it was the mountains that were the highlight. DM me if you have any questions.
Roads were all sealed with the exception of near the summit. In retrospect, I wish I'd pushed on the next day from Agadir to Essaouira but had 3 days of solid riding and I guess body was happy for a break.
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I'm taking an unplanned trip to Morocco, leaving Sunday. Thinking - land in Marrakech, stay a night, cycle out through the Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Test, find places to stay on the way, end up in Agadir. Chuck the bike on a coach back to Marrakech and hope the first place I stayed have kept my bike box.
For anyone who knows anything about Morocco (I've never been):
- Does any of that sound stupid?
- Will the high Atlas be cold during the day (travelling light, not planning on bringing any long sleeves)?
- Any news on the state of the roads, esp. since the earthquake?
- What's the likelihood of finding non-meat food options outside the touristy places?
- Does any of that sound stupid?
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No - you might see other UK cyclists out there too and probably roadies from all over. I know some dudes who have just finished a tour there, they go yearly. Morocco is what got me back into cycling some 10+ years ago!
Yes the Atlas regions can get cold including the towns that hit like 45C in Summer. Bring some light long sleeves just in case. You'll see locals wearing their woolen cloaks (jullabahs) more this time of the year. I always do too to not look like an idiot in short sleeves. Was warm but tolerable.
Not too bad when I asked friends from there. It's the more remote villages and off-track roads that really suffered.
Definitely possible - veg tagine's are a thing and in some areas, locals tend to have more veg and meat in theirs anyway. Can also get veg based couscous, their spreads - really energy dense stuff made of oil (argan or olive), honey and nuts - also olives are a common savory, loads of breads and pastries etc. Don't forget to try Harira (a chickpea soup that should be vegan) - I'll be personally offended on behalf of all Moroccans if you skip that - and I'm not Moroccan.
Great advise on French. English won't get you far outside of cities and touristy towns. If you happen to know common Arabic travel phrases, they won't get you far due to the Moroccan Arabic dialect. As you venture deeper into the Atlas or further South, Amazigh identity and culture is more prominent and French might be your only tool.
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The main danger is bumping into @hippy, be careful out there.
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@infmz @hanford - thanks very much for the tips, really appreciated! My schoolboy French is still pretty passable - at least enough to get me housed/fed/watered/directions. Just got a day or two to work out everything else - actually, not much else to do (other than pack plenty of inner tubes) - despite the very different landscapes, it's largely one road the whole way, just get out there and ride it.
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Pro tip from hippy with perfect timing:
Lots of options. In the Atlas in winter I was using Decathlon merino liner gloves, under my normal Spesh mitts, with RAB Power Stretch Pro Contact long finger gloves over them.
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To add to the other comments, when I went up Toubkal in May it was below 0°C. That's 4000m though. I would take something with sleeves for sure.
What's the likelihood of finding non-meat food options outside the touristy places?
Very possible but depends how strict you are. I ended up eating a few things that I thought would be veggie but turned out to have some meat in.
Not everyone speaks French. I think only relatively wealthy people learn it. Maybe look up at least how to say "no meat" in Arabic and/or Amazigh
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Working fingers are quite useful.
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essaouira had a really nice feel to it. working fishing port, old historic town, surfers and wind surfers galore had a nice traveller type feel to it. whereas agadir felt a bit like the worst aspects of the costa del sol. over priced bars with lots of spanish / german tourists, just a bit uninspiring. probably the least favourite city i visited in a couple of month of travelling round morocco.
this was back in 1994 so things may have changed quite a bit since then.
andyfallsoff
Thrasher
Arvy.
kl
hanford
infmz
Oliver Schick
frankenbike
dicki
hippy-
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About
Morocco / Atlas Mountains
Posted by
@Gustav
This all looks amazing - am hoping to go to Morocco in the autumn. Will be with family but hopefully also with bike, so less adventurous but still aiming to do some riding - any tips what areas were particularly good?
In my head I feel like starting in Marrakech and heading down into the atlas would be good, but need to balance good mountains to cycle on and some culture / family stuff....