Gorgeous Gorges

Left Tinerhir for a spin up to see the famous Todra Gorge. The walls of rock rise 160m vertically and at its narrowest, I guess it is about 30 feet wide. Only a little trickle of water runs through it at the moment but when it rains hard, it is a very different story. Outside winter, you can ride north through the gorge and come back down the Dades gorge but sadly all we could manage was about 5k beyond the narrowest point where frozen mud sent us back down the valley. I leaned later that there are 3x 2800m passes to cross on that route and all had lying snow on them so that is a non-starter on these bikes at this time of year. I got my first puncture on the way down and I got to actually use one of those bits of kit I have been hauling round for the past week. At least it worked and we got underway reasonable quickly. The very small bicycle pump I brought had me in a bit of a sweaty lather to get the wheel back to the correct pressure so I might have to think about that one again.


50 Km down the valley we turned right up to the Dades Gorge. The rock in this area is really not much more than compacted clay and is easily eroded so even small rivers cut deep. The last 1k up to the summit is spectacular. Serious switch backs with a 1 in 4 gradient in places. I saw a truck with a herd of sheep on the roof ( plus shepherd) come down it. Took the obligatory photo and fended off the friendly hawkers and started down the 'Street of the Kasbahs'. Kasbahs are fortified houses, some ancient and very crumbly, some relatively well preserved. All seem to be built of mud and stones and dont seem to weather that well.


We are now holed up in Ouarzazate in an excellent auberge (www.Bikershome.net) run by a Dutchman and his Moroccan wife. Some hotels pride themselves on their swimming pools, casinos etc. This place has a fully equipped workshop and a garage, a real luxury here. This place is dedicated to motorcycle touring in an area with some amazing terrain. A fantastic meal and great company. Going to search for a sheepskin in the souk tomorrow to put on the saddle to pamper my behind.