remaining .
It isn ’ t to be . During lunch we discover that one of our support vehicles has burnt its clutch and needs to be towed to be repaired . The repair is not a simple one but dispel any thoughts of failure I announce , “ This is Africa , everything will be resolved ”.
“ Inshallah !” is my answer to myself .
Almost immediately another offroad vehicle appears and is the first amongst the dunes . Our chosen tour organisation turns out to be extremely reliable . We spend the remaining hours up and down the superb , compact dunes . Here we have no need for a guide as the dunes are all within a compact region , it ’ s perfect riding for all tastes , there ’ s small for beginners and also huge ‘ mountains ’ of sand for the more experienced . It is no coincidence that these dunes are the best-known destinations for sand lovers .
To end a fantastic day one of our
drivers arrives with a fresh supply of cold beer . A perfect way to end an otherwise glorious day of riding .
An early morning allows a few more raids on the sand and then we head off from Merzouga towards the Atlas mountains .
The sand gives way to dirt before we enter another extended plateau . After lunch we stop in Fezzou to fuel the bikes , not the usual gas station but more a general store that serves fuel from drums poured through a worn funnel .
The riding resumes and it ’ s no longer flat but a rather pleasant challenge . This leads to a paved road that takes us to Tazarine and finally reaching a field at an altitude of 1,370 metres where a shepherds cottage is perched near the village of Igli .
Our last day is one of returning to Ouarzazate which we will reach after visiting the Dades gorge . We ’ re told it ’ s a lot of asphalt , but knowing what the riders will want I ask that we deviate to find some more dirt , a little more off-road . Before leaving we present the family of the shepherd , with whom we have been overnight guests , with a supply of food and medicines .
Climbing to up over 2,000 metres the temperature drops , and although the road is now well formed asphalt we enjoy the spectacular views knowing that our ride is coming to an end but not before a little more off road .
It ’ s a dirt road similar to home , yet is varied enough through track and off-piste riding through a river bed that is mostly course gravel . Great fun and very long , 130 kilometres of nothing but off-road .
Lunch is provided at around 3pm , and provides a good rest before the last push of 40 kilometres of sealed road . The last days riding of over 240 kilometres amounts to a total of 1,150 kilometres . A great way to end an exploration of a region of Morocco .
FZ
TRAVERSE 100