Reviews

Thoughts on Group Leader

First rate

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are wrapped up well against winter cold in the mountains; both on and off the bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, this was doing the Tizi n Test pass..20k ascent on roads bending in and around the mountains, and to reach the top and see the road back down from where we came on one side..and an awesome view across the next valley, where we were to decend, on the other. Absolutely incredible - a great reward for the mornings climb!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andy was great as our group leader - very calm and organised, and put up with our constant questions on the routes. It added to our holiday that he is so taken with Morocco and was keen to pass this on to us. The trip to the women's group, and also the morning walk around Marrakech on the day off really made us see and appreciate the more hidden side to the country more. He was also a good motivator in terms of the cycling..never would I have thought I would be racing up mountains!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in Feb take warm clothes

Most Inspirational Moment

We had the chance to talk to members of a womens' cooperative near Essaouira, who were producing products from Argan oil.  This provided them with a level of independence unusual in the traditionally male dominated Moroccan society.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andy, our leader, made sure that at all times, all members of the group were ok, and quickly sorted out any issues relating to bikes or accommodation.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was my second trip with Exodus, and both times my expectations have been exceeded-if you have not used Exodus before, do so soon-you will have a great time, and many memories to treasure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mountains and panoramic views were the memory I will keep with me for a lifetime

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andy McKee was a very effiicent, friendly and capable leader. He ensured everyone was looked after and acted as an excellent motivation to get us all up the hills. Well done Andy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes! If you are going on the February trip prepare to be cold ! I needed fingered gloves, body warmers, ear covers, neck covers and full length warm leggings are essential. Its cold in the mountains and some mornings we were riding over frozen puddles which can illustrate the starting out temperature. Also the hotel on Day 2 has no heating at all so ensure you have hats and gloves and a warm coat for that one. Hotels after Day 2 improve immensley, including a palace and the most stunning central hotel in Essouria. Also be prepared for lack of alcohol (most nights this is not available at all) and very healthy eating - fantastic way to get fit!

Most Inspirational Moment

Day three and an ascent up to Tizi n'Test Pass at 2100m. A seemingly never-ending series of switchback climbs to our goal. Hard work at the challenging end of the 'moderate to challenging' trip tag. It was worth it though, views over the anti-atlas mountains and across a stunning decent that literally went on for miles with barely a car in sight. All topped off by an evening in a luxourious Riad complete with swimming pool and peacocks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Richard, was a key part of the success of the trip. He clearly identified goals for each stage of the cycle and personally ensured that eveyone excelled their expectations as to how hard they could push themselves cycling enjoyably.  This ensured everyone could get through the trip and that the group remained cohesive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't put your inside peddle down when you go around a fast corner. What goes down must go up. Taking your own cleats for the bikes certainly helps.   

Most Inspirational Moment

On day 2 we had a 26 kilometer climb followed by a 30 kilometer decent, tbh I was a bit worried about the climb as I had never done anything like that before, I didn't need to be worried, the way I felt standing next to the tizi n test pass sign is unexplainable, a true highlight of my life so far, and the realization that I am cabable of that was off the chart. This is just one inspirational moment, there were lots. :)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Ritchie was ace, he loves cycling and bikes so this wasn't just a job to him, he was very passionate about cycling, would spend his lunch breaks doing running repairs to keep the bikes in ship shape condition. He was also very good at inspiring you to get the best out of yourself, if you were happy taking in the scenery, he would leave you to it but if you like to push yourself out of your comfort zone and work on your technique and fitness he would see this and give you endless hints and tips and get you to challenge yourself. he even had a few of us having a little drafting race with each other that left us all buzzing like never before :) I would also like to add that we met the atlas decent leader Liz one night and her enthusiasm matched Ritchie's, it is very clear these guys just love what they do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say just do it. I took my own shoes and pedals but don't feel this is necessary, it was my personal preference but plenty of people did it with trainers just the same. There's not to much I can say about the required fitness for the trip, it is a cycling holiday after all but peice of mind can be had with the knowledge that you can sit in a backup vehicle any time, but, and this is a big but, the fitter you are then you are more likely to get to the checkpoint first which gives you the first choice of the ace Moroccan chocolate bars.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the fourth day of cycling when thinking there was no gas left in the tank by mid afternnon  being encouraged by the leader to carry on and experience what was further on up the road on bike rather than in support vehicle. Gave greater sense of achievement once finished

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader. Organised, efficient and didnt bulls**t you if there were changes to plan. Always kept group informed and provided the encouragement to keep going when necessary. Ensured health and safety adhered to by all and  definitely made trip more enjoyable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont go unless you have a decent standard of fitness for your own enjoyment's sake and that of the group. It would help to have some bike experience too

Most Inspirational Moment

Some of the descents were awesome, but I also enjoyed the challenge of some of the climbs and the sense of achievement

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought Richie was a very good group leader - he was very professional and took things like health and safety and bike maintenance seriously but at the same time he was good fun and always upbeat and encouraging.    He had good local knowledge and was always keen to share tips to help the group improve their cycling.   He was very organised so we always knew exactly what was happening each day, what time we had to meet and where etc so the trip ran very smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It’s a holiday and not the Tour de France, but you definitely do need a good base level of fitness to complete this trip as there are several climbs.  Being confident that you can control a bike is also important as there are some fast descents with sharp corners. You don't have to be an expert cyclist to enjoy this trip but for your own enjoyment and that of others on the trip I would definitely advise doing some training for this trip and make sure you are realistically fit enough to cycle 70km per day for 6 days otherwise you might struggle or hold other people in the group back. Overall I would say the trip is most suitable for intermediate level cyclists, ie those who cycle a bit at home but are not too serious about it.  I think beginners might struggle (unless they are very fit and confident, in which case they would be ok) and advanced cyclists might find the pace of the group too slow (although they could still enjoy the trip as a relaxing way to explore a new country)  Take some warm clothes as its cold in the mountains, especially at night. If you want to read at night, take a torch as most of the hotels you stay in don't have very powerful lights and its hard to read. The hotel in Marrakech is quite noisy so take ear plugs!