Day Nine Pics - Asilah, MO to Lisbon, PT

For all the pics of Day Nine, click HERE

Day Eight Pics - Marrakech, MO to Asilah, MO

For all the pics of Day Eight, click HERE

Day Seven Pics - Foum Zguid, MO to Marrakech, MO

For all the pics of Day Seven, click HERE

Day Six Pics - Mhamid, MO to Foum Zguid, MO

For all the pics of Day Six, click HERE

Day Five Pics - Trafraoud Sidi Ali, MO to Mhamid, MO

For all the pics of Day Five, click HERE

Day Four Pics - Erfoud, MO to Trafraoud Sidi Ali, MO

For all the pics of Day Four, click HERE

Day Three Pics - Midelt, MO to Erfoud, MO

For all the pics of Day Three, click HERE

Day Two Pics - Algeciras, SP to Midelt, MO

For all the pics of Day Two, click HERE

Ferry boat from Tarifa, SP to Tangier, MO

We woke early in Algeciras, SP and left our hotel as we had to still travel to Tarifa, SP to catch the ferry.

Unfortunately we were doing this crossing one day later as we were not able to cross yesterday due to high winds (up to 100 knots) on the straight of Gibraltar. The boat was very full and it took them more than two hours to load it so we left one hour later than expected.

As we waited, we had the opportunity to start knowing better the participants in our trip.

Going up the ramp was not easy as there had been lots of traffic and it was damp. I did not see it but heard that one of the bikes of a previous group went down. Our group made it fine but there were some white knuckles.

The bikes were packed like sardines on the boat.

Some pictures of the Spanish side

Picture of the crossing

Some pictures of the Moroccan side. It was now starting to feel real.

Immigration in the boat was bit crazy as there was a line that took over one and half hours to get through. The crossing was 45 minutes so people had to be on the boat way after it had docked. Moroccans do not like standing in line and towards the end of the trip we had a number of them literally pushing in towards the front of the line. Some pushing a shoving for morning exercise was in order.

We then lined up for customs which took a very long time. Lucky for us it was great weather, sunny but not hot.

We finally made it out of customs and started our trip south. We had over 400 kms to do and it was already past 1pm. It was going to be a long day (at that stage we had no idea though how long).

Day One Pics - Beja, PT to Algeciras, SP

For all the pics of Day One, click HERE

Our hotel in Algeciras, SP

As we could not get across to Morocco we had to find a last minute hotel.

We found one in Algeciras, SP and we are extremely happy with the outcome.

Great view of the Mediterranean !

Beja, PT to Algeciras, SP

Good 400 (250 miles) kms of riding today.

Very windy towards the tip of Spain.

Unfortunately ferries were not operating from Tarifa and there were no hotels with enough space for our group so we had to stay an extra night in Algeciras.

Lost somewhere in south Spain

Took a couple of wrong turns and then decided to spend time on smaller roads.

Having lunch at Arcos de la Frontera ...

Getting food for the day

Just before leaving Beja, Paulo Miranda and I get our food. Paulo was the instructor on the ride. Paulo was a veteran national enduro champion and great to have along on the ride for tips and help during the tougher stages.

Leaving Beja, PT

This was our first day out on the road and we listened to our first briefing (we had each day a briefing that spoke about the day´s stage, lots of safety tips and more)

pick up our food (we were given a sack lunch and 1.5l of water every day) and prepare our bike.

Day Zero Pics - Lisbon, PT to Beja, PT

For all the pics of Day Zero, click HERE

Dinner in Beja

Group getting bigger ...

Had Frango da Guia (small barbecue chicken).

This was Ivan the cook with the food he had just done.

Arrived in Beja

Organization and some participants were already here but more to come.

On the way to Beja

Tonight we are going to be sleeping in Beja.

A group of 6 of us took the side roads and had some fun on the twisties.

Stopped at Torrão for refreshments.

Fully packed

Ready to go ...

Bike is ready

Today went to test the bike and show her the sea. She enjoyed the cool breeze ...

Program for the trip

STAGE 1 - 22/04/2017
BEJA - TARIFA - TANGER - ASILAH
555 km (345 miles)

STAGE 2 - 23/04/2017
ASILAH - MEKNÉS - IFRANE - MIDELT
430 km (267 miles)

STAGE 3 - 24/04/2017
MIDELT - GOURRAMA - BOUDNIB- MERZOUGA
345 km (214 miles)

STAGE 4 - 25/04/2017
MERZOUGA - REMLIA - TRAFRAOUD SIDI ALI
200 km (124 miles)

STAGE 5 - 26/04/2017
TRAFRAOUD SIDI ALI - ZGUILMA - MHAMID
170 km (106 miles)

STAGE 6 - 27/04/2017
MHAMID - OÁSIS SACRÉE- LAC IRIKI - FOUM ZGUID
155 km (96 miles)

STAGE 7 - 28/04/2017
FOUM ZGUID - OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH
395 km (245 miles)

STAGE 8 - 29/04/2017
MARRAKECH - FORÊT DE MAÂMORA - ASILAH
560 km (348 miles)

STAGE 9 - 30/04/2017
ASILAH - TARIFA - BEJA
555 km (345 miles)


   

What is the Big Trail Challenge ?

The Big Trail Challenge is an event put together by a group of Portuguese people and 2017 is the second year that it will take place.

Attached please find information about the Big Trail Challenge (it is in English):

http://www.bigtrailchallenge.pt/index_en.html

There is also a Facebook page (mainly in Portuguese):

https://www.facebook.com/bigtrailchallenge/

Here are some videos from last year´s event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs8tooqlDbY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABLsYbxlomc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enijxwOBYpY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG87sLY1jrU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHqWw5ncq5c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQgvAARn3Mk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwF6E2g-BoQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caaQShj_trI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW9RMbYPrsM