My first time wild camping 🏕️ by bicycle in Africa. I’ve wild camped before in southern Africa but out the back of a vehicle. Not quite sure I’d call Morocco real Africa. It may be on the same continent, but that’s it! Wild camping here was not so hard as the country is pretty unpopulated out of the major towns 🏢 and cities. No one really was too fussed about ourselves. After a good gaup 👀 (stare) they normally wondered…
Due to its vista towards the Atlas Mountains ⛰️ we depart one of the most splendid wild camping spots. The days cycling entailed peaceful back roads and cool valleys, with the most gentle of climbs. All too good. The highlight for me was the purchase of the best Dates I’ve ever had ❤️ Like melting sugary-crystalline-honey in ones mouth. Natures PowerGel! The area is covered by pine forests. Considering we’re up at an increasing altitude, its about the only tree…
One thing can be said for Morocco, the roads are quiet. Traffic is generally very spartan 🚗 This is a poor country for most of the population. So travel is either walking, bicycle or a Chinese motorbike! Any traffic is relatively slow moving and with that, drivers are generally cautious around anyone on a bicycle 🚲 Not so where I herald from! We stop in Amadel for supplies. A good stock of vegetables 🥗 to be had at the market…
Leaving a nearly peaceful wild camping spot … barking 🐩 dogs could still be heard, though! We head through Bouabout. With this post, I’m struggling to find the words. Not because I lack the ability to string a sentence together (some might question that!), I just can’t remember much of the next few days. Must’ve been uneventful then! I do recall, though 💡 two particularly good wild camping spots. One in a Wadi and the other on the sweeping plains…
After an early start out of Luton airport ✈️ we arrive in a some what warmer climate than we left. I say we, I’ve a confession, I’ve sneaked along a cycling partner for the start of this journey, namely, Jude! Yes, female! She informs me she’s resolute and akin to a machine 🤖 We’ll see! The journey/adventure started before we barely got out of the terminal at Essaouira international airport. Over two hours just to get to the car park….
My plan is to start in a warm’ish 🌞 country for spring, heading northwards into Europe as the summer takes hold. After many hours, OK days, I choose the coast of Morocco as my start line. I’ve never been to north west Africa 🌍 so why not! In the mean time I’m prepping my Thorn Sherpa ready for the start line. The critical things been the points of contact. New wheel bearings, chain ⛓️ and front chain-rings replaced. Don’t skimp…