I left the mountains at the right time, temperatures were dropping to 0 C as I road south. I am just amazed at the number of castles that still exist. Seems that every city has a castle on the hill. Made in over half way across Spain then turned west into Portugal for a quick loop south before getting to Algerciras where I will take the ferry to Morocco.

Saturday I took the bike into the BMW dealer which was within walking distance of the hotel I found last night. I wanted to have it serviced before heading into Morocco. Also changed the rear brake pads as they were getting thin. I do have a set of front and rear pads with me but will keep them for spares.

Made a quick run to Gibraltar so I could say I was there once. Too many people in a small place. Tried to find a route up to the old castle and I made it to the castle wall but by that time I need to get back down and run to make my appointment to have bike serviced. They did a great job servicing the bike and making adjustments with me sitting on it so everything was right.

Sunday was a bit slow as the ferry did not leave till 12:30 and I was to be there by 12:00. Got in line about 11:30 and waited. Very good ferry system and very easy entry to Morocco. Got out of the city and headed to Chefchaouen.

On the ferry

Today we, (now riding with a Spanish rider Unai) headed south east on the back roads with 35 K on gravel ending at Taza.

Lunch stop, found very good food here.

From Taza we headed east a bit then cut south on back roads into the RIF mountains, was a day for adventure. Heavy rain has washed rock, mud and assorted stuff into the road. At first not to much, then up to six inches of mud. But on we went. Roads are narrow oil mat to gravel and everything in-between. Had to run through some minor water then we came to a river with the road washed out. But we were saved by Massy Fergison and a trailer that got us across the river.

The road is gone

Loading on trailer for trip across river

Things were getting a bit nasty here and there, but we persisted until we came to another swollen river. At this one we did not think we could make it. Water was up to my knees and moving fast for part of it. Then a local indicated we needed to cross upstream a bit and this looked maybe doable with no water over 18 inches and moving slower. So I carried my gear and coat to other side, came back and took the moto across, actually made it with out dropping the bike in the water. Then we brought Unai’s bike over. Reloaded and on our way.

At the second river

Across and reloading, we made it!

The roads and damage from heavy rain became bad in spots. The worst was 18 inches of rock washed over the road. At that point Unai noticed his rear tire was low on air, the rocks are very sharp. Good it was his tire not mine as he is running tubeless and we could plug it. That done we are on the move again.

tire repair

The road damaged by washing rock over it

As we finished the tire repair the local police drove up to the slide I think to check it out. Did not try to cross it. Said that the road should be open and fuel in 100 K

These are great mountains to ride in. Part has been in heavy fog that makes it hard to see 30 meters to the next bike. Kind of a magical, mythical feeling to the whole place. Somewhere we took the wrong turn and fuel was getting short in Unia’s bike but we made it burning fumes to El Menzel and fuel.

As we entered El Menzel the clouds opened up. Amazing how much water can come down in a short time. Street were flooding and the ditches over flowing. With fuel we moved on to Sefrou for the night.

The fog in the mountains

Easy day of good roads heading south to Moyen Atlas Mountains. Next day Unai was wanting to ride some roads to the south and I decided to turn back north as I wanted to check out a couple of recommended spots and I need to make my way to Rabat to get a Mauritanian Visa for going south

Normal breakfast bread, I call it "square pancake", but more like fried bread, very thin and flaky.

On the road

Local kids in a small mountain village

Hotel in the mountains

Have another hundred pictures but it is getting late....