We continue, and arrive in a really splendid valley, with mountains oases, small villages, people very friendly wave us, children everywhere too. Wonderful. Altitude is gained, we approach the clouds, the stony and wet track is very sliding specially with overblowed tires and overloaded bikes, the front wheel wants to live its life on several occasions, we drive carefully. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
We are close to the top of the pass, in the clouds, this track is superb in spite of the weather. At the top of the pass there is an extraordinary landscape on the plain and the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace><st1laceType>village</st1laceType> of <st1laceName>Issil</st1laceName></st1lace> with the storm which threatens, unforgettable <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
We are now in the valley, this is quite muddy First ford in Issil, there are traces of truck, the villagers indicate to us where to cross, Patrick launches out first, its ok. Quickly, the second ford, its not very large, no fear. The following is more wide, water is muddy we dont see the bottom, once again Patrick engages, without problem <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
We arrive at a small school, I approach, the teacher goes out, I have some pens that I give him for his pupils. It doesnt speak well French, but enough to say to us that the track is `' finished `'<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> Its not a good news, anyway we go and we will see.<o></o> The following ford is wider as the others with strong current. Can we cross or not ??. A local guy explains us we have to wait, Patrick decides to go to probe with foot, the guy precedes him, get out his shoes, go up the legs of his trousers and takes Patrick by the hand for the crossing. In fact there is not too much water except at two places and specially at the exit
I cross first, without problem, Patrick follows. To tanks the guy we give him our picnic and take a picture.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> Are there other fords further ?, Inch allah.<o></o> It was the last. Arrived on the sealed road, we turn on the right hand, straight to the storm, we stop and put on our rain wear, good idea, in the following minutes, we are inside the storm, only 20 km to Tazenakht, but it seems a longtime
Stop to a restaurant, anyway we have no picnic and its raining. Tajine, kefta , mint tea, its going better. We meet three French bikers who explain us that they arrive from Ouarzazate by the road and they cross a lot of oueds in spate. One of them is riding a 100 cc and is going to the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1lace>Benin</st1lace></st1:country-region>, brave guy.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> We have a look to the map and the track I planed for this afternoon begin in an oued, wisely we decide to take the road <o></o>
Arrived at the crossroads with the main road 9, we decide to give up Ouarzazate (we wont see Ait Benhaddou and the track of Telouet. an excuse to come back) and we go directly to Marrakech. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> 180 Km through the Tizi nTichka, a pass around 2200m high, inside the storm, it will be good. By place the road is covered with mud pulled by the storm, we stop in a gas station, no more electricity this means no pump (ah gasoline in jerry-can in Mhamid!!!). As we were going uphill and downhill, we have rain, wind, hail (to be honest three or four hails not more), mud, gravel, and so on. We saw also a car crashed on a truck further a car without nose. Riding a bike in those conditions was very impressive, really<o></o> A sealed road which worth a lot of track.<o></o> We pass the guys with the Cherokee, but right now we dont really want a beer.<o></o> 30 km before Marrakech, we stop for refueling, we call the Toulousain hotel ( where do you want I go ) we book a room and we go.<o></o> On this road in the dark, I was much more afraid that in the pass under the storm. There are everything on this main road, people, Mopeds, bicycles, carts, donkeys, goats, nobody has lighting, (our are not very efficient ) the cars are running very fast, its dangerous everywhere<o></o> <o> </o> Finally we arrive. Hot shower. We take a beer in a bar, where every body seems to be drunk (no aggressiveness, they are laughing).<o></o> <o> </o> An other exciting day.<o></o> <o> </o> Hé Patrick, on est moulus, hein !!! <o></o> <o> </o> Square Jemaa El Fna, here we are.<o></o> <o> </o>
so, it's all for to night. I hope you enjoy. We are in the middle of the trip, the rest has been amazing too. It stills diary to translate. I hope to do it soon. If you don't care about, I can stop.
I doubt I will ever ride in Morocco, so I appreciate sharing our experience. Which GPS did you use? Do you have tracks in a gpx file you can share? (You can attach them with the paper clip icon in the tool bar.) Dave