Morocco 2023

Ifrane to Tangiers – 15 May 2023 (317kms)

Woke up this morning somewhere in Morocco. Oh that’s right, Ifran. After Breakfast, we leave the Hotel about 9. Today is our last riding day in Morocco and the penultimate for the trip.

The early morning temp is 16 degrees. With wind chill it’s about 10. Cold weather gear is choice of clothing. Puffer jackets at the ready.

Heading for Tangers on the Mediterranean. It starts out well with a good run out of town. But its not long til we hit the ‘roughy’. We bounce along avoiding pot holes and decaying edges, sharing the narrow roads with over-stacked hay trucks and tractors. The Maroc’s think its great fun waving and cheering us on. Any number of times we had to pull off the road to avoid being wiped out. Even some of our blokes are putting on a brave face. Some see adventure whilst others see ️.

At coffee, David encourages us with the news that soon we’ll be back on the highway. Then it gets better! We are going on a toll road!! Something’s wrong here. When do bikers hope for a toll road? But there’s more, we can stop at McDonalds and get some great home cooking!

The town we are in is out of control. On the main road, horse & carts, trolleys, bikes, dogs & pedestrians head in all directions competing for limited space. It’s a jungle out there. We have worked out that we just keep pushing forward at constant speed and we are fine.

The last hour into Tangers is a quick run. This is a big city and relatively modern. The roads are jammed and the roundabouts are amazing. At first intimidating but then you get into the rhythm and realise it works. Push on through and ride as a tight group.

Ultimately, our respite is found behind high walls and we head for rooms and a shower. There seems to be less urgency to get back downstairs. Boxy’s gone to sleep. Russ & Singo are finalising the daily blog. Mike’s probably swimming 50 laps and Andy is counting his medication.

The call to prayer has just started.

Drinks at the bar at 7. Its a slow affair and we gave taken to DIY. The Gibster has confessed that he is banned from wine tasting (after he affirmed a corked bottle last night) so his opinion is disregarded.

We are currently running down our untradeable MAD. Unfortunately the Gibster has acquired so many trinkets that he is now begging the group for funds to fill his bike (“the Petro Loans Affair”). His offer of Gastro tabs to discharge the loan is declined as we are all feeling fine.

It has just been brought to our attention that Boxy has been hording his MAD. Whilst it will have nil value in Europe, he is keen to be seen to have the capacity to “grease the wheels”.

A la carte dinner at the hotel tonight.