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We set off around 1.30pm straight into the wind , heading for the trailhead , around six kilometres from the town centre . It was difficult to see the mountains due to the grey sand haze but once we climbed out of the valley visibility improved and enabled us to see the fantastic scene , again , all different shades of brown and volcanic blacks and greys which we hadn ’ t seen before .
We eventually climbed up to the summit of the pass at around eight hundred metres , passing a large group of chunky sized enduro riders who were on their way down . There were looks of amazement as they were riding big bikes , fully kitted and there we were on tiny 50cc bikes with Julie and I riding two up . I had to stop on one of the hairpin bends and we waved to the rider who was passing us , Julie told me later that he took his hand off his handlebars to wave back and nearly came off .
Perched on an outcrop looking down on the pass we came to an amazing little Berber café . We all
had mint tea and the usual plate of nuts and rested for half an hour before setting off , now on tarmac and descending the other side of the mountain .
The brilliant road dropped down a couple of few hundred metres on a long series of hairpin bends with an amazing mountain range in the distance . This was breathtaking scenery and we wondered how it could get any better than this .
We had to stop halfway down the mountain as Martine ' s rear tyre had
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