Most Inspirational Moment
Inspiration
The variety of terrain and weather, the companiionship and resilience of the group, Hicham, Addul and the team, it sure was a challenge but NO ONE spent any time in the bus, we supported each other through it.
Part of 1 days cycling had to be cancelled due to blizzards, Hicham managed to arrange an afternoon at the Berber museum with lovely food, music, tour by the resident, stories and total joy.
To see all the mechanics singing and playing instruments in total happines sharing their culture with us after the difficulities of th day was very touching.
A Hamamm was also an expeirence I wont forget and would recommend.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hicham
I could not fault Hicham.
He responded professionally and with charm to the many unforeseen circumstances that are part and parcel of such a trip in the mountains, the vagaries of climate change and the altituude and isolation meaning we had snow blizzards, high winds ....and covid to add.
There was a mix up with my transfer from the airport and after discussing the next day with him, he ensured I would be recompensed and ensured this did not reoccur.
His knowledge and insight into the many cultures of Morocco and of his beloved Beber tradition gave a depth to the holiday, the cycling was great but was augmented by his rich, genuine insight. His knowledge of food and restaurants similarly so.
He was a leader to his team and worked effortlessly with them to provide us with bikes each day even given the toughest of workouts.
He was instrumental in ensuring the fitting of tubeless tryres to all bikes, this is vital to such tough / hard terrain / the rock fall..... without theses, we would havfe had numerous punctures and the trip may have been badly affected.
Such a trip requires adaptability by all and snow blizzards but it also needs an experienced leader
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip will vary greatly depending on the tiime of year..... however the altitude and nature of the mountains will always provide a challenge.
I was inexperienced in mountain biking and struggled at 1st given rock falls, tyre pressures and saddle a little high and set off too quickly, i had falls. However by the end of the holiday, I was loving it, at 1 with my bike, tyre pressures and saddle raised.
I would advise taking a little time to get used to the bike, fork, tyres....saddle height etc and to check each day whetehr they need changing.
You need to be quite fit to enjoy the many climbs and descents and the pounding the body does take, the extremes of temperature and terrain on our trip meant we had snow blizzards and high winds, changeable rain / but a lovely last 2 days of low 70 degree cycing.
You truly need to come prepared for ANY weather.
