You could get one of these

http://www.2wheels.cc/uploads/7/7/3/...43656_orig.jpg

Should cope very well with a case of wine I would imagine?

Saturday day it is then , probably kick off from here between 9 and 10 so when i've got a RV i'll let you know a rough ETA
Phil

Splendid


:)



.

Here's a little teaser ..................it was 43�c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=PUk6qXL97FA

I thought that clip looked familiar...

This is how we should start out....

[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/2q0kmmw.jpg[/IMG]

Then stop for a rest....

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/e85wua.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i39.tinypic.com/33pd5ic.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i39.tinypic.com/1z53thx.jpg[/IMG]


With a bit of this....


[IMG] http://i40.tinypic.com/10dvdir.jpg[/IMG]


Then we'll all get confident....

[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/2v9rw9y.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/2zsb7dc.jpg[/IMG]


Then we'll crash and burn....


[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/a0z6t4.jpg[/IMG]

Just the usual sort of stuff...


:)



.







.

I wonder how many boxes of wine would fit in that wee boyo ?


:)


.

Ohhhh yes ..............and the rock desert near Erg Chebbi , it's like being on the moon !!!!

thats a bit posher bike for redtread ...???
im guessing you are the leader ??? did the onei n spain but not the marroc one ...

ahh yes i can see the mighty klr......:bounce016::bounce016: surfing the dunes now ..
. gracefully floating over the sand with 35kgms of sh1te strapped to it ..

.power slides the lot ...oh yes ....

ohh errr dam i just woke up ...lovley dream though :o


..of course i got the number one plate on riding merit :083:

or was it that i paid the deposit ???:winner:he he

...bike 97 was in dock

looking at your pics ohlins great pics by the way ...i think you need to pack a couple extra items .....

a crossword puzzle book and maby a calender :happy2:


i would hope to be along ..eventually
http://imageshack.us/a/img822/8959/zjx6.jpg

heres me mate will showing a bit more style ......

i was two meters ahead of a total starfish ...but great fun

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/1506/ho0g.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img266/634/sqxn.jpg

Nice pics....

All more sedate these days due to the tools we will be working with and the goats that'll be using them lol

:)








.

Yoo Hoo

All who are going can they please confirm either here or by email so as I can book an hotel tomorrow on our way down through Spain?

Those who don't know if they're going until the last minute,can still show up and going by both the size of the hotel and the town where it is there'll be no problem getting a place to stay upon turning up...

I have chosen I different route through Spain for the UK riders..it will see them avoiding hectic Madrid and the really easy chance of getting lost and taking wrong turns (hectic even with a GPS)

The town has the same ride time and distance give or take a few kms to Manzanares(last years town)and being the half way point.

The autoroute will be less full and busy than the main route from the North to Madrid.

The town is called C�ceres if you want to have a wee peep at www.viamichelin.com and to see what's what.

I will post more details after tomorrow.

Baaaaaaa


:)


.

Just got front and rear Mitas E0 7's for �111 (�93) with Oponeo.....for information.


:)




.

Can't beat Oponeo :thumbsup:

I'm definitely in. Ferry booked and everything :wav:

Splendid..looking forward to it....so far we have 12 to book in with a few last minute riders who may weigh in. So far also we have 5 riders to make a rendezvous at the very last minute at the moto park in Algerciras port just outside the terminal building...in fact it's the smallest moto park in the world and dead easy to find.

If anyone reading finds themselves in Algerciras port on 22.10.13 and wants to tag along by all means feel free to do so.

Just ride into the port bound for the Morocco terminal and you can't miss it.
Moto park circled

When I zoom in with my GPS the co-ordinates are

N 36 07.764
W 005 26.499

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/2eocxm8.jpg[/IMG]

The light coloured building below the circled moto park is a multi story car park
and the building to the right hand side is the actual terminal building.You can see in front of the multi story a green grass area with some trees.


http://i41.tinypic.com/25hl65d.jpg


Here you can see those very same tress and grass area in the back ground. The moto park is surrounded by a low concrete wall.

[IMG] http://i43.tinypic.com/kuav6.jpg[/IMG]





.

Hotel Details evening of 21.10.13
 

The hotel is booked at €18 per night per head and you need your own towels and wash kit.

Check the link;


http://www.alberguecaceres.es

Some pics....

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/29qihdw.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/21kgqqh.jpg[/IMG]



[IMG] http://i39.tinypic.com/2rxuvmf.jpg[/IMG]






It's at the junction of Av de las Delicias/ Av de la Universidad Caceres 10004


When I zoom in on my GPS the entrance co-ordinates are

N 39 28 857
W 006 21 580




Enjoy the only bit of organization you're going to find in the whole trip....what with the Marx Brothers,The Three Stooges and Benny Hill (unfortunately without Hills Angels)all rolled into one...what could possibly go wrong?










.
















.

Rough plan of where we would want to be....
 

General plan.......

If one looks at Stage Two it has openings if riders want to bail out early due to other commitments to head north and join tarmac and autoroute to head on up north to Tanger Med.


Stage One

21.10.13 Mon Santander/Asson -Caceres hotel Spain

22.10.13 Tues Caceres- Algeciras- Maroc Tanger Med-Asilah

23.10.13 Wed Asilah-Meknes-Midelt

24.10.13 Thur Midelt- Merzouga

25.10.13 Fri Merzouga- Rest Day/Exploring Day/Rally day/Off road Practicing

26.10.13 Sat Merzouga -Auberge Marabout (N 30 38 428 W 04 45 040) Camp/Rooms (if available)
Off road/
27.10.13 Sun Marabout -Zagora Off road

Stage Two

28.10.13 Mon Zagora-Foum Zguid(or beyond) Off road if possible

29.10.13 Tues Foum Zguid- Tata Off road

30.10.13 Wed Tata-Tafraoute Off road

31.10.13 Thur Tafraoute- Taroudant Off road

01.11.13 Fri Taroudant-Marrakech Off Road (or on road if pressed via
N10-R203-Marrakech)

02.11.13 Sat Marrakech- Asilah

03.11.13 Sun Asilah-Tanger Med-Algericras-Sevilla

04.11.13 Mon Sevilla-Salamanca

05.11.13 Tue Salamanca-Santander

06.11.13 Wed Salamanca-Sanatander

Depending on the progress made in the loop from Tafradoute to Marrakech then there's a day extra to allow if we're slow,if this makes sense;hence if we arrive at Algeciras on 04.11.13 then there's still time for the UK dudes to get to Santander for the evening sailing.


The off road routes will be flexible time ways and easy to cut any route out and pick up tarmac if any one has been making like a goat.

This can be called as we progress.

Anyway.....that's the plan..get to Merzouga and enjoy the off roaring and sunshine.

:)










.

Nice one for sorting that Ohlins!

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me...ot3ko1_400.jpg

Roll on the 21st...

No problem....substitute cyclists for donkies and carts....



[IMG] http://i44.tinypic.com/2w7r6hc.jpg[/IMG]



:)


.

A few tips,as you want.....
 

Just a few wee tips to think about when we get to Maroc...some obvious and some not..

1.Make sure you're riding with a neck buff as the sun lies low and your neck can get sun burnt really easy.

2.Bring lip balm as the air is without moisture;that along with riding means your lips will dry out quickly and chaff.

3. A camel back water bladder is essential so you can drink whilst on the move.

4. Remember to keep taking salt on your food to avoid cramps.

5. Leave space in your luggage for the wet weather liners,water and a small amount of food.

6. Spare set of keys(I have mine permanently around my neck)

7. Passport and all driving documents along with Medical Insurance(it doesn't matter if your driving license doesn't have the same address as on your registration document)

8. If you bring a small packet of make up remover wipes instead of baby wipes,these will still work for the toilet and will wipe off oil from your hands if having to work on the moto...baby wipes don't degrease

9. ATM cards will work and most large towns have an ATM...if you call your bank to tell them you'll be in Maroc then they'll not block your card once it flags up as being used in Maroc and possibly stolen.

10.Your mobile phone will work and there's good network coverage all over Maroc but for the more isolated areas

11. I wash my clothes whilst having a shower so quick dry wicking T shirts etc are a good idea.If you don't want to do that you can bring a sink plug if need be..(I use a sock) and a tube of that camping detergent for washing clothes if you want as this product is a stronger soap than shampoo

12. Wear cycle shorts to prevent monkey butt

13. Get to the dentist before you go as if you've any problems over there it'll be a hammer and chisel job.

14. Obvious,but the give the moto a full service to include air filter....the feche-feche is very fine dust that moves about like smoke when you pass through it. It is the same as cement;it will run into air boxes like water and suchlike if you drop the moto in same. There'll be a short stretch of feche-feche from Merzouga to Zagora,just outside Ramlia...after that,there could be more here and there,where we're going.

15. Medication for a runny tummy

16. If you're bringing chargers for your electrical gadgets try and get one that will trip out when faced with power surges(Moroccan generators can do just that) or charge from your moto.

17. When on round-a-bouts,it's normal to stop and give way to traffic joining the round-a-bout(ie from your RHSide)....welcome to Moroccan logic.....and round-a-bouts work anti clockwise for any Brits..

18. Most large towns have wifi.

19. When off road ride with road pressures or a little above... it's easier to have the odd bounce than two or three punctures thus keeping loss of time to a minimum. e.g. When riding albeit with Honda 450 CRF's...standard UK enduro tyre pressures 10-12psi front 12-14psi rear...for riding in Maroc 25psi front and rear with the same moto. (As an aside the fork seals never needed changing at these pressures)

20.You'll know your own moto and what tools to bring along with the camping stuff....bring puncture repair pruk.

21.First aid kit

22. You'll not need as many clothes as you think you'll need.

23.Those with spoked rims...give them a tighten up as you see fit.

24.Michelin map 742 refers to Maroc

25. Reise Map refers to Maroc..... Reise Know How Landkarte Marokko Enter ISBN 978-3-8317-7167-7 into amazon for example. As an aside there are pistes shown on one map but not the other...I usually bring both to cross reference.

26. If riding with a GPS (I'll have a Garmin Montana) download for free,as an option,Open Street Maps as they show more pistes where the Garmin maps usually do not. Nice to have them both to cross reference.

27.Zip ty zip tys to each fork tube close to the headstock

28. Clip 2x split links onto a cable(and spray with air filter oil to keep it from rusting...also paint the circlip with tippex so if it pings off there's more of a chance of finding it)

29. Stash a tie down that will do for a towing....footpeg to footpeg
[IMG] http://i45.tinypic.com/65662e.jpg[/IMG]

30. Puncture stuff is stashed in a tobacco tin under the seat

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/212epzl.jpg[/IMG]

31. Stashed in at the rear of the battery is a couple of old socks with a tube of instant gasket.

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/33p3frr.jpg[/IMG]


32. I have a few hose clips tightened up on the handlebar.

33. JB weld is in a pocket along with my chain breaker tool pouch

[IMG] http://i45.tinypic.com/1omxz7.jpg[/IMG]


34. A mini compressor is handy (not essential as I'll ...erm....have mine)
[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/34odor9.jpg[/IMG]

35. I have cheap leatherman copy tool that has fine nose pliers and obviously a knife,that lives in my handlebar bag for everyday stuff(so no big deal if it gets stolen) Also here I have visor cleaner with rag,a notebook,pens and earplugs along with a place to keep loose change and notes for toll booths. You'll need pens to fill in a compulsory form at hotels every night.

36.Bring a head torch or key ring maglite (although not as handy as the head torch..it's there close to hand at all times..you put it in your mouth if working on something)

37.12v charger socket is handy to have...I have a double one mounted in the inside of my fairing.

38. Where spokes cross over it's not a bad idea to zip ty them so if one breaks it'll not fling about and get caught in discs or sprocket

39. I ride with 500mls of chain saw oil for my chain oiler and a can of air filter oil as I have a foam filter.

40.Zip Ty spare clutch and accelerator cables to existing ones

41.Bring a spare gear lever (if you want)

42. As we ride we'll buy water so bring a couple of short bungees to attach water bottles with,ie, on rear mudguard area.

43. If you want,pack a lighter pair of gloves/motocross gloves,to ride with beyond Merzouga.

44. Leave helmet off the ground when you have it off to avoid creepy crawlies wanting to live in same.

45. Don't brush teeth with tap water...use bottled.

46. Make sure breakfast orange juice is from a carton..you'll get sick if the hotel waters it down with tap water.

47.When you buy bottled water check that the seal is not broken and filled with tap water...having said that I've only ever come across this one time before,but worth checking just the same.

48 When kids stand in village streets and put their hand out to high five you...try to avoid doing so if you're riding briskly as it'll hurt your hand when you hit theirs.

49. Make sure anything that is attached to your moto is well secured...once we hit corrugations anything that can vibrate off after 5 minutes will.

50. When riding on open going space well out so to avoid the dust both in your face & air filter....there's nothing wrong with being 100m behind the next moto as we'll be stopping frequently to allow for stragglers and to re-group






























.












Tool tips relative to my moto....in a bum bag for easy access. If we weren't camping I'd stash these in a pannier,but I need the space now for food and stove etc. It's divided into two parts and with two small belt pouches....best �19 I ever spent.

[IMG] http://i40.tinypic.com/mu767c.jpg[/IMG]

First compartment.

[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/axnodx.jpg[/IMG]

Full set of of wheel bearings,32mm socket for front sprocket in case of a flyoff jammed chain...regulator and superglue. Short hollow tube with duct tape wrapped around it. Superglues lives in here so as not to get punctured whilst riding.A split water hose dried,glued and taped will let you limp on....also 17mm 13mm 12mm 8mm socket. Plumbers pliers. Normal pliers work OK but if you've to bend something it's nice to have the leverage of a longer pair.


[IMG] http://i40.tinypic.com/jijgd4.jpg[/IMG]


Second compartment

Flap has a few clean rags in it.

[IMG] http://i43.tinypic.com/1y7ndw.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG] http://i44.tinypic.com/rvzjaa.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG] http://i39.tinypic.com/kajvxh.jpg[/IMG]

Pre load spanner which is also the spoke key along with handle extension to use same
Hack saw blade
Spark plug spanner
Front wheel axle allen socket
Punch (also the same diameter as the brake pad pins which do not screw out...they need to be tapped out)
Allen keys....long ones as they're needed to poke into hidden places on the XT(ie fuel tank support bolts)
Slot head and star head screwdriver
Breaker bar for sprocket nut (it'll be tight)
Small extension bar
Tyre pressure gauge
Short length of wire
Spanners 13mm 12mm 11mm 10mm 8mm 6mm(some hose clip heads are this size and needed where there's no angle to get the screwdriver onto)
3x tyre levers
Clutch and brake levers


Belt pouch

[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/29dcv6.jpg[/IMG]

Spark plug
19mm socket
10mm long socket
Valve key with spare valve cores and valve nut
Various o rings and fuses

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/dxh844.jpg[/IMG]



Other belt pouch

Assorted fasteners

[IMG] http://i43.tinypic.com/sy2kpw.jpg[/IMG]

With the high rear of the seat the bum bag can either rest on it or be secured to the rear grab rails.

Two new tyres (Mitas EO 7's..I got 11,500kms out of last years pair)...fitted and ready to go along with a 2 man tent and on the other pannier a tarp. It's nice to have space to stash wet boots etc.

The tarp always goes with me as they can be handy e.g. to work on the moto either in the rain or under sunshine...or to act as a cover in case of dropping parts. They're only €25 from Decathlon so if it gets ruined by e.g. oil it's no big deal.

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/6o2zuu.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/35k3o5u.jpg[/IMG]
































.[IMG] http://i42.tinypic.com/357f52g.jpg[/IMG]










:)








.

thanks for all your work on this ..great tips too
keep it coming .....

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/6954/q3.gif

Looks like an amazing route Ohlins!

One question .... you mentioned before sth about wild camping, I'm keen to do as much as possible :) But realistically how many days could that be roughly?

I'm asking because...
1 day = just a matt and sleeping bag for me
2-3days = matt sleeping bag and a bivy sack
4 and more = would consider taking a small 2p tent

Anybody else considering wild camping?:campfire:

Funny...I was just thinking the same thing today...I was even just thinking at one point of just sleeping on a mat in my moto kit then I thought of Mr Scorpion dandering over me.

In some places e.g. Auberge Marabout...we can set up camp beside it and dander over and get fed if we want...if there's rooms and if some one can't be bothered to set up camp then they can zed in the auberge.

I don't really know how many nights...but I'd say 4 or 5 once we get off road.....we'll stop here and there as it presents itself..also if we have goofy problems its always good to just stop if we run out of daylight and have somewhere to eat/sleep...Better looking at it than for it I suppose....It's your call.

Personally speaking....I'll throw on a tent ...because I'm winging it.


:)


.

will we need a mallet or a big rock to knock the pegs in ??
just wonderin as wet grass seems unlikly >??

+1 for a tent, don't fancie one of them there little nippers up me grike !!

HERE YOU GO 17 days worth of gear on my DR , tent ,bag and trollies !!! https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2...o/IMG_0391.JPG

It's worth taking a spare front and back tube , at least a front, it'll fit in the back to get you to safety !!!!

There'll be at least 174 million rocks to either hit pegs in with or to tie your guy line to...some tents will even stand up by themselves (not mine)depending on your design as there's usually no wind(although I have been there in a sand storm before and had to sit it out and I even had rain in Merzouga!)

:)





.

+2 for a tent.

I got this which is free standing if ground too hard. Packs nice and small and light.

vango mirage 200

Also, some Y-pegs are useful in hard ground. Will survive plenty of bashing from a rock! Not had one bend on me yet.

Got these from alpkit - 10 for �6.50.


Camping in the desert - a dream come true for me!:icon_farao:

Yip...throw the tent up on soft sand or flat dune and off you go.....

Or...on a flat cleared stretch of hard pack..only to find ourselves getting mowed down by some mad French 4x4 rally raid driver who appears out of nowhere practicing for the Dakar!! :)





:)




























.

That's a great set up Phil...the lighter the better


:)



.

http://www.oldmanthatcansee.com/wp-c...1020699web.jpg
tent it is ...

Is that for the bike

Customs guff...
 

If you want to fill in the form in the link then feel free to do so....it means you don't have to stand and do it when you arrive(although there'll be plenty of time to do just that as customs move at a snails place)


http://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/d...ter/formAT.jsf

[IMG] http://i41.tinypic.com/34rbq5v.jpg[/IMG]



Bureau d'entr�e = Tanger Med

Date= 22.10.13 (or not ....depending how stupid we've all been at an early stage...read..very early stage)

Pr�nom et Nom= erm....your first name and surname

Identifiant

First time visitors click;

Etrangers en premi�re visite au Maroc

Anyone else who has been before will enter their police number which is stamped on their passport from the last time they were there after clicking at;

Etrangers non r�sidant ayant d�j� visit� le Maroc

Immatriculation= Registration Number

Marque= make of moto

Type= From your V5

Genre= Motocycle

Pays= The country you're resident in

Date de 1ere mise en circulation= date of first registration

Num�ro de chassis= erm .....chassis number

Print it out...cut into three and sign all three copies at the bootom LHSide.

In the real world this will make no difference to the mayhem at customs but it makes me feel good because I now think I'm really organized...After the excitement of getting through customs after 3 hours I'll ride off with my side stand down and promptly fall off at the first left turn...

EDC

:)





.

Thanks ohlins I like the route plenty of planning there and thanks for the heads up on the paper work(I will fill it in and leave it behind)
My tent ain't nothing special �14 from the local discount store,but I am sure in the scout's the saying goes, if I don't laugh at your's you don't laugh at mine.

grand job getting closer now
Rog

Morn'in..

Yip..getting closer..I'm almost prepped fully...just taking my time getting stuff sorted.

Not to worry if you leave it behind...there'll be plenty of time to fill it out over there whilst waiting around along with queues of 4x4's,other bikers and camping cars with only 3 customs staff to do it all :)





:)


.

went via cuata last time .....

their system is pay a gopher 10 euros and your through in 5 mins

dont pay and your there for 4 hours .....

do the gophers work at tagiers ????

Same here Steve, worth a tener anytime , if you play your cards right and get em to do 2 or 3 at once you can knock em for a bit :D

Phil

The last time I went through Tanger City I just did it myself...you're really paying them so you don't have to stand in a queue..in fact if you give me €10 I'll do it for you lol

Last time in Tanger Med there were no dudes...you just give the papers to the customs dudes and dander over to the police booth with your passport. Come back to the customs dudes and get your papers.

It'll take longer as we're in a group whereupon the new ones will have to be registered.

By now there might even be a dude available but I hope not as they're a pain in the neck... €2.00 is enough IMO for all that they do

I just have to throw on a back tyre tomorrow and get oil for an oil change then I'm good to go...


:)



.

ive heard its not the same at tangiers ..simon has used both ways but said its was quicker to get throug at cuata

anyway not to worry

....one cockney dude was really verbal in the que .. fackin rip off and all that ....
when he put his papers in at the window ..guess what
computer say number on papers is wrong ...you need to start again ......mmmmmm

i reacon without paying his 10 euros he probable still be there

Well I'm winding my way down slowly to meet up, had 3 great days on some Spanish trails:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/08/2aheqe6y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/08/a2ebapyn.jpg

But.... bike died this afternoon. Looks like the fuel pump. Hopefully get it sorted tomorrow!!

Nick.

Sent from my GT-S7560 using Tapatalk 4

Welcome to Africa!... lol

Average manual worker,ie,waiter can earn about €5 per 8 or 9 hour shift in places...that's why they love to see tourists arrive as we still think in European pricing...they can make a months wages in a morning. Smiles and giving the odd pen out to the customs dudes helps.

What normally happens is they wave any motos to the front of the passenger vehicle queues as these are quicker to do.....but we'l see.







.

Hi Nick..some good typical trails I see there..!

Sorry to hear about the moto. If you need me to get one from a local KTM dealer and post it to you I can...just get me the precise part or part number?

Let us know all is well eventually

All the best

Keith.

Christophe can't make it this year due to work commitments but he left us a video to watch from last year.He takes the official club photos for the Toulouse rugby team and has to prepare the pics for a Xmas book

Enjoy



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdNyR...ature=youtu.be




:)
































.


.