Within a short time we reach a ford that must be crossed . Ordinarily not a problem when dry it is now a raging torrent , the swell is strong and turbulent , crossing is dangerous so we decide to wait and have lunch with the hope that the river will calm as the skies are now clear and offer a chance for the wet earth to dry .
Our guide doesn ’ t share our optimism , and rightly so as the river does not drop in the time we take to eat lunch . There ’ s no option but to find an alternative route , we must abandon this track and take a paved road that will take us to Foum Zguid , our destination for the day .
It ’ s early afternoon and the detour
means we won ’ t fall to far from the original route , we decide to follow our guides example . We return to Taznakht to pick up the main road , yet are soon forced to stop , the police have closed the only paved road to Foum Zguid due to a river washing across the pavement and forcing its closure .
In these places the streets are characterised by the number of fords rather than bridges , so when it rains the streams flood , the roads are closed and the flow of traffic ceases . WE wait until almost sunset and are yet still not allowed through . Taznakht becomes our home for the night . Although unfortunate it is all part of the adventure as rains like this are uncommon to these parts .
With daybreak we leave and are forced to take the paved road to reviver lost time . Once in Foum Zguid we are able to pick up out planned route and enter the Draa Valley via a nice dirt road . It ’ s a stony track that undulates across the landscape , sometimes flat , mostly wavey . Sand is occasionally present at the beginning of the track .
Before long we are stopped to take photos at a palm grove . The landscape is reminiscent of Monument Valley in the United States .
Back on the bikes the tracks
TRAVERSE 94