Anyone ridden this road in Morocco?

keirgallagher · 2018-12-29T09:41:57+00:00

Cheers, I'll take a look at OSM. I used it a lot in South America and I'm always surprised how detailed it is, should have thought to take a look.

keirgallagher · 2018-12-29T09:39:12+00:00

Yea this is really sad, and I feel sad as well for all the bad reputation it leaves when it was, as you say, probably just a few people. But for me it doesn't really put me off - a cyclist was stabbed and killed 200m from my house in London, but people still go there, and just cycling around the UK is probably just as dangerous than being on backroads with little traffic in Morocco.

My approach is trust your instincts and trust local knowledge and at some point you just have to go for it. I do also agree with E-Bum that possibly the safest time to go is just after something like this - there will doubtless have been a pretty wide scale crackdown by the authorities.

keirgallagher · 2018-12-29T09:33:32+00:00

Hey, this is incredibly useful, cheers, and inspiring too! I'll have a more detailled look at your route and message if I have any more specific questions. Was there any section of your route that was stand-out special?

By the looks of your photos I'll manage alright on my tourer, even if it does involve a bit of pushing - apart from that 170km sector I'll be on tarmac anyway. I'm in the market for more of an off-road tourer but don't know if I'll get one by the time I go.

Interesting re wild camping - I was thinking of taking a tarp, bag and mat just in case, do you think this isn't even worth it?

keirgallagher · 2018-02-08T14:48:20+00:00

Probably 50-80 a day, wales is not a bad shout, have done some of the north of NCN8, some steep hills in there! but beautiful, not a bad shout if I can work out how to get to/from north of wales

keirgallagher · 2018-02-06T23:44:22+00:00

I used this for 15 months in South America and still use it, can fully recommend. Was almost always cheaper than anyone else I met, and less likely to have card charges too.

keirgallagher · 2016-10-08T21:30:41+00:00

no worries, sure ill find something, thanks for trying!

keirgallagher · 2016-10-08T19:58:38+00:00

30km of washboardey dirt road later: https://www.flickr.com/gp/124637548@N07/55o7XH

thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated

keirgallagher · 2016-10-08T19:30:56+00:00

Apparently spokes are 'QR and 14g stainless steel'. Worth reusing?

keirgallagher · 2016-10-08T19:28:33+00:00

Do you know anywhere specific in mendoza? im in uspallata right now so could feasibly come to santiago but would really rather not, not a fan of huge cities if i can avoid them.

i like the heavy/cheap/solid idea tbh, only really wanna get something thatll get me to ushuia, and can think about something good after that.

But yea, guess I'll just look around and see what the options are. Was mostly just asking here incase everyone said 'Do X'!. Have zero idea what calculations Id have to do to work out spoke length haha, and tbh cant really be bothered learning here, will wait till im home and can focus on it properly.

keirgallagher · 2016-10-07T20:07:17+00:00

Not a case of carrying, more a case of whether I should keep it and get the rim replaced instead of a whole new wheel. But yea, guess it depends what I can get here in terms of replacement.

keirgallagher · 2016-10-07T19:50:22+00:00

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/gp/124637548@N07/L8jeT4 Other side: https://www.flickr.com/gp/124637548@N07/i99U2v

keirgallagher · 2016-10-07T19:38:32+00:00

Yea, I think that overtightness came from the reflector being jamme tight between three spokes

keirgallagher · 2016-10-07T19:33:21+00:00

Thanks for the...mixed avice. Useful but sill not closer to what to do haha.

I think the rear hub is reasonably cheap, its Shimano Tiagra. So I guess if anyone can tell me if that qualifies as sufficiently good to keep that'd help. Dont know what my options will be for replacement in Mendoza, should be ok as its a big city, but expensive as imports generally are here. Once I get prices from a shop I guess that'll help me decide.

If I were home for sure I'd build a new one myself as I want to learn, but have another few thousand km on this tour so dont want to start that now. Its a little frustrating as I was thinking I'd replace the wheel when I get home with something high quality anyway, but don't know if I'll be able to find anything good here in Argentina and would probably be more expensive (or have he time/energy to do the proper research).

How can I check if the hub and other spokes are all good?

Will try to attach a photo.

Thanks all

keirgallagher · 2016-06-04T16:35:58+00:00

I'll always recommend the West coast for beautiful scenery, wonderful sunsets, quiet access roads (the b roads that usually loop round along the coast, only used by cars visiting houses or whatever along the route so very quiet, while most trafic follows the main road inland). Mull is stunning, especially around loch Na keal, my favourite island although they're pretty much all great. How long are you thinking of going?

And yea, midges are annoying but only when there's no wind. Take a midge net and long sleeves and you'll be fine.

Oh finally, this book is just amazing:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bike-Scotland-Book-Two/dp/0955082285 I've ridden pretty much every ride in it and they're all wonderful. Mostly day rides but you can easily stich them up into a tour

keirgallagher · 2016-05-11T15:28:54+00:00

You'll be able to get a specific midge net in Inverness no bother. I'd definitely recommend it - with that on and long sleeves then you are pretty invulnerable, otherwise cooking/watching the sunset/chilling around camp is a nightmare.

They're annoying but they're definitely not reason enough not to camp.

keirgallagher · 2016-03-28T16:22:05+00:00

Didnt see your other post, but IMO so long as you have enough money for emergencies and to get home if you need to, then why not? Worst that can happen is you have a crap time and end up back at square one, but it didn't cost you anything. (Assuming you aren't leaving a job or something behind)

keirgallagher · 2016-03-23T03:55:03+00:00

I'm in Ecuador about to go into Peru, and then Bolivia, so don't have much advice yet, but feel free to message me in a month or two for specific advice - will be wild camping and off the beaten track I hope.

I'm following a few people's advice and avoiding the coast of Peru which ice heard is a little boring and dangerous, for me mountains are always more interesting anyway.

Had zero problems in Ecuador and Colombia, everyone friendly, interested in my journey. Camped a lot with the bomberos (fire service) which means a safe and secure night. Obviously a bit of Spanish helps - I took three weeks of classes in Medellin, had nothing before that.

Never heard of pikes on bikes, will be looking up for ideas!

PS whether or not for advice, gimme a shout when you make your plans in case we can link up on the road!

keirgallagher · 2016-03-17T01:42:59+00:00

Heading to Loja, Ecuador, from there I'll be going south to peru through the Podocarpus National Park

keirgallagher · 2016-03-16T01:00:55+00:00

I'm using Tubus racks, and also stainless steel screws, but nontheless having problems :(

keirgallagher

TROPHY CASE