EDC Morocco, Africa,2017. Open invite for FREE On/Off road & desert guided tour.

[The Sarge]

Sorry fellas, I can't stay quiet any longer.

You are signing up to go on a long ride where the person leading has no idea about your ability, your medical history, your health, your level of fitness or your mechanical ability or how well you look after your bike. You have no idea about the route, how easy or hard it will be, how far from help you will be or what risk you will be subjected to.

This isn't sour grapes, seriously it isn't, but I am really questioning the sanity of this where you are totally in the dark about the trip. Call me a killjoy by all means, but I know first hand how hostile that environment can be when things go wrong, and how quickly the situation goes bad, and how that manifests itself (ie death).

So by all means crack on, but do so with eyes absolutely wide open, and please ask this wibo key questions above as to how this is going to work, what rescue plans there are in place and what medical back up etc. Ask about the difficulty of the route based on your ability, and ask about the overall speed of the riding and the set up ie tail end charlie, radio contact etc.

If you can satisfy yourself that all these things are covered and the risk is measured and covered, then cool, crack on. If not, please take caution.

Good evening Mike et al,

Great key points to raise. I'll answer the points and raise a few others en route.

1. Rescue plans.......zero.....other than contacts I have in the form of local 4X4's to load a bike or a rider into. As you know,the off roading is a small percentage of the whole ride out experience of being in Maroc. I go to Maroc every year..the fact that AA Five Star cover doesn't apply does not hinder me,just as if I were riding to Chile...I'd still go as I'd say anyone on this forum would,just by the very nature of same.

2.Radio contact for a ride out.....zero.....apart from a mobile phone which will have limited cover here and there but in the majority good.

3.Tail end Charlie...last rider drop off will apply,to be explained at briefing.

4.Difficulty...if you can ride along a hard pack farm lane,you can ride here. Checking the ride report will give an idea of topography. Short stretches of feche-feche will apply along with a longer route of same if final route is what I think it's going to be at this time.

I have no idea about the ability of riders just as various companies who offer organised ride outs have no idea.....but as they,I will assist to help riders improve and can adjust timings to allow for that. Mike had mentioned before that he never goes on ride outs without seeing a person ride.

Personally I'd hate to see a rider arrive in Algeciras and for me to say that he wasn't coming and that he could now go back home,based on car park observations etc. As far as I am aware no ride companies do this either.

The flip side is of course that no one has ever wanted to see me ride before they came with me. I could ask the same of Mike or in fact anyone else who rides with each other.

5.If anyone is dubious about off roading a tarmac route will be available. Rest days before off roading will be factored in to practice and its the riders call to either both ride piste or choose tarmac based on their ability and medical condition.
If they e.g. have a heart attack and keel over....bodies do that...they shut down when least expected. Engines seize....rain falls....people faint...riders can finish a ride out with out incident too.

6.Medical back up....just as in Mongolia or Chile....zero....as stated I go to Maroc every year...if anyone wants to organise their own medivac cover that's their call. I do what Moroccans do when they e.g. twist their ankle or snap it..or whatever ...I find a way somehow....as they do.

If I have a heart attack and die,then my passport will be handed over to the police and they'll organise what happens....just as they do for Moroccans.

7. The riders who want to come have no idea of the route because I haven't even thought about it,as it'll be on in October 2017. Updates will apply.



8. Risks exposed to are; car ferry sinking,vehicles crashing into you,thorns,pedestrians walking out in front of you,rain,feche-feche,diesel spills,the odd animal on the road,slow moving traffic,stones,potholes,hotels being booked up and what to do thereafter,sand,strips of overbanding,incorrect road signs,gravel,vehicles with defective indicators/lights,falling off your bike,sparse medical facilities...more or less,what risks you're exposed to in Europe




9. Riders should be proficient in simple repairs like replacing clutch cables,gear levers etc and how to mend a puncture. If they're not then they'll have to think what they'll do. I'm not a mechanic to be at their beck and call,but I will help them as they effect repairs. Tips will be given later in another article as to what works for me and riders can take or leave what is or is not applicable to them.



Moroccans live in Maroc and buy food,go to school,go to the Doctors,buy clothes,buy fuel,go to the tea shop and live the same lives as we do but some with a lot less comfort and convenience of same. Just the same as in Chile and Mongolia etc. there are places where there are not too many people living.


As an aside what would also be a good idea was that if any adventure bike riders who weren't keen on coming others could convince them to maybe attend we could help them,as a group of like minded people,with any personal issues they may have. I'd say as a group we are all generally of the same adventure rider mindset within our discipline.

She/he could perhaps return a better person and look into themselves just to even become a more pleasant person after the experience of Maroc. She/he could not only see what others don't have and what she/he actually has but to even actually pay attention to it.


Some riders have anger problems,self esteem problems or jealousy problems but I have seen a rider on this forum who has an envy issue IMO.

IMO this rider thinks that maybe she/he should be consulted as a guru of riding to Maroc. She/he enjoys informing people that Maroc is overly dangerous to perhaps make others gravitate to them for informed advice and that any other advice given to others, by others,is incorrect.

I think also that perhaps she/he has a self esteem issue whereupon that if she/he offers an opinion as to the extreme nature of their travels then others will see she/he as a full blown resilient adventure rider and derive kudus from same,thus feeding the self esteem issue.

I read not that long ago a rider,seemed to me,to be affronted that someone had recommended reading an article written by a chap called Tim Cullis and was envious that this chap knew about Maroc.


I had a wee peep at other posts to find the same envy manifesting itself and I even checked a KTM forum to find the same after another few members on here intimated she/he wrote there.

She/he I find seems to be envious that there are others who want to join our category of bike riders and/or others who have ideas or want genuine advice and assistance,who when asking for same,it's easier to ridicule and lambast them instead of just simply being nice and assisting. I wonder why she/he is actually on forums if only to be cantankerous and contemptible then its perhaps only to ply for business sales if applicable.

If so I wonder how she/he actually copes within a business environment,and how many potential clients take their business elsewhere based on attitude. If she/he owns a business then its she or he's call to be despicable to others but if not,then the owner of the business might find cause for concern as to loss of trade.


These kinds of people I find were the ones that just didn't have many friends in the playground as children quickly whittle out who is simply nice and who is not. In adult life these people have about two or three friends whilst nicer people will have twenty two or three friends!! They live a sad existence battling with the fact they want to change and to be liked but can't help themselves reverting so they continue to be disliked. The cycle continues.


I found also on forums that she/he stated that she/he would say the same disparaging comments to any other rider in a pub if they were ever to meet face to face....

I find this incredulous as she/he would be admitted to A&E on a weekly basis,based only,if she/he lived in Ulster that is.












I think you've summed up Adventure Bike Riding perfectly WIBO and the attitudes and overbearing opinions of the doubters/doubter. I am personally full of envy, but admiration of all those that have signed up and committed to joining your Adventure. I only wish I could be one of them, I salute you all you lucky bar-stewards (thumbs) (thumbs)









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[Spadger]

I knew you would cross dress having the direct access booked,is that the same as nip tuck all in one . at least you won't wear Jane's out fits, have you boots with heels

. Hey Pete she regularly wears my boxers , if it's good for the goose , I'm gonna drop this topic now tho
Don't want a reputation , you and Mick will
Just have to
Use your imagination

[BobH]

Hi Wibo, Would be pleased to join you and the fellow goats on this trip as would another not yet using this site. Sounds like a fantastic trip and looking forward to being back in the sand.

[WIBO]

That would be handy for the Algeria - Melilla crossings. …

Simon

That's 'Almeria not 'Algeria' - blooming predictive script! :whistle:

Morning....

No set plans for a route yet.....I'm mulling over routes every now and then that should show a wide range of contrast to first timers.

I'll edit the Page 1 invite with any updates.

I wonder if a render-vous somewhere in Central or Southern Spain would be best, then folks coming from diverse directions, i.e. the Bilbao/Santander crossings and the various Pyrenean passes could make more direct routes to it?

Your call WIBO of course!

Regs

Simon

Yip..That's what I normally do...makes it easy. GPS/address details usually pinged long before departure. I normally scoot over by El Formigal.




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[Simon_100]

That would be handy for the Algeria - Melilla crossings. …

Simon

That's 'Almeria not 'Algeria' - blooming predictive script! :whistle:

Morning....

No set plans for a route yet.....I'm mulling over routes every now and then that should show a wide range of contrast to first timers.

I'll edit the Page 1 invite with any updates.

I wonder if a render-vous somewhere in Central or Southern Spain would be best, then folks coming from diverse directions, i.e. the Bilbao/Santander crossings and the various Pyrenean passes could make more direct routes to it?

Your call WIBO of course!

Regs

Simon

Yip..That's what I normally do...makes it easy. GPS/address details usually pinged long before departure. I normally scoot over by El Formigal.




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Yup, that's probably the best crossing as it brings you onto the central motorway system from Zaragossa - fantastic run too! (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

[waynecoluk]

Unfortunetly I can't get this much time off from the family...boo hoo.
But after reading your last ride report I'm sure everyone who goes will have a great time. Even if it's just for the crack which looked like you guys were having 24/7.
Have a good time and if i split up with the wife in the next 6 months or so I'll tag along...(hope she doesnt read this)

[WIBO]

Date details have been listed on page one.










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[JP-ADV990R]

WIBO,

Thanks for the update mate. With regards to Morocco dates 19/10/17 to 03/11/17 - are you planning to leave your residence (Southern France) on the 19th October 2017? Or are these dates for the actual time in Morocco? We (×2) are planning on taking a return ferry from UK to Spain (or France) and meet you en route.

Cheers
JP

Date details have been listed on page one.










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[Redmurty]

all I am going to say is that anyone who fancies this trip or any like it or who has a bucket list go do it.

Because 2017 has continued very much like 2016 for me 1 mate lost and another at 51 in hospital in Southern Spain after working his arse off all his life has had a stroke prognosis not good for a glass engraver and chandelier maker

There is only one thing in life that is certain, and the grim reaper knows he will make the call one day, so go fill your life full of experiences at least you will have something to remember whilst shitting in your pants in the nursing home (thumbs) and if you don't make the nursing home at least you would of died living (thumbs)

on that morbid note have a great trip those that go I'll leave you some tea and beer after my trip, just tell them Spud left you one behind the bar (thumbs)

cheers Spud

[Whippet]

Thanks for those cheery words of wisdom Spud, I'll look out for that ba--ard dressed in black with the curvy grass cutter.