Morocco Off-road Adventure: Day 5 from Foum Zguid to Zagora
Editor Danny Hermans registered for the Morocco Adventure 2023 to finally experience that “Dakar feeling”. He has plenty of motorcycle experience as an ex-motocross rider, but ten days on an enduro with stages of an average of 270 km every day is a completely different story. Follow his adventures on an enduro motorcycle through the south of Morocco for 10 days.
From Foum Zguid to Zagora
Each ride is preceded by a briefing. It is held after dinner the night before. Just like in the Dakar Rally, the drivers are informed about what awaits them. Some people know the ins and outs, but for many it is unknown territory. That's it for me too. Once again we are warned not to underestimate the desert.
Temperatures can reach 40 degrees, even though it is already mid-October. I quickly check the app on my phone and see that it shows 36 degrees for today. Swallow! It is important not to destroy yourself in the sand. One of the riders suggested that we train for 8 hours today on the Lommel motocross circuit, the toughest sand circuit in the world. It seemed like a good comparison, but once we actually drove into the desert the experience was different.
The desert drive from Foum Zguid to Zagora is fantastic in all its aspects. It is certainly a unique experience. So today I'm back on the motorcycle and opt for a group with all-road motorcycles. I had ticked this stage and I am very happy that I can swing my leg over the GasGas again. It looks quite dusty but I don't mind that. Unfortunately, there is no proper solution to mount the GoPro on the motorcycle, the support broke off due to the crash, so I just take pictures with my smartphone.
Donkeys and solar panels
On a trip through Morocco you come across the strangest things. At a gas station we came across a Toyota Hi-Lux with a camel in the back. On the way I saw a donkey equipped with a solar panel. I am completely confused by the function of the solar panel, whether it should be to be able to charge the Berber's phone next to the donkey.
In the desert there are stretches that show ripples due to the influence of the wind. It is important to choose the right speed so that as few vibrations as possible are caused. The essential nuts and bolts of the engines are best secured with a threadlocker. I do this as a preventive measure anyway, the jar of blue Loctite is always ready to grab in my workshop.
One of the highlights of this stage is an almost mandatory visit to Garage Sahara Zagora. It is the garage that every Dakar driver knows from the period when the famous rally was still held in the north of Africa. This garage has experience with all vehicles that participate in desert tours and rally raids. Two of our engines gave up the ghost today and were towed out of the desert by this garage and repaired.
The manager came to welcome me with an exuberantly shouted GasGasGasGasGasGasGas! Soon another very friendly Moroccan came up to me to ask what country we were from. A little later, he said, we were good friends and I had a gem bought for my wife. I tell myself that I have made a good deal because the starting price was 950 Dirham. I bought the thing for 250.
Garage Sahara Zagora
I took a moment to enjoy a royally poured mint tea in the shade across the garage. The higher the tea is poured, the more honor the pourer gives to his guests. Abdul, the manager of Garage Sahara Zagora, almost stands on the roof to serve my tea. Pardon this exaggeration, but it is clear that the garage owner would like to see us come.
The spectacle I saw from across the street is worth it and I would like to describe it briefly. Next to Abdul's garage there is a competitor who fishes in the same pond. Those two competitors have a very well-trained ear because every time a motorcycle or a 4×4 turns into the street, those men sprint outside to lure the potential customer in.
When a motorcyclist from our group wanted to present his motorcycle for repairs, Abdul's staff lost the sprint and we had to intervene so that he could still present his damaged machine at the right garage. After some shouting back and forth between the two competitors, the street became quiet again and smiles appeared on everyone's faces again. We got an extra glass of Berber whisky. The teapot is kept hot all day in Morocco to serve unexpected guests.
Stephane Peterhansel
Abdul offered to wash my motorcycle and placed a sticker of the famous garage on the GasGas for promotion. The next day, Mister Dakar himself, Stéphane Peterhansel, would visit the garage. The Frenchman won 14 Dakar Rallies and is still active in this competition. Since 2022 he has been competing with an electric Audi RS Q e-tron. The goal is a first victory with an electrically powered car.
After the ride we drive to the regally beautiful hotel just outside Zagora. Palace Asmaa is almost literally a palace and one of the most beautiful stays of this ten-day event. The King of Morocco once stayed there and that says something. It may have been a while since his visit, because the hotel deserves a lick of paint here and there. The staff are very friendly and helpful and carry my heavy bags up to the room.
The motorcycles are parked along the street in front of the hotel and are once again monitored. I take a breather at the pool while enjoying a cool beer. Afterwards I help change the oil on a KTM and lubricate the chain of my motorcycle and check whether all bolts are still tight. Delicious sandwiches with sausage are served at the truck.
Tomorrow: From Zagora to Merzouga
Missed the previous article about this adventure? This is the link: https://nl.motocrossmag.be/index.php/2023/11/marokko-off-road-adventure-dag-4-van-tafraout-naar-foum-zguid
Participated in our Morocco Adventure Project:
- Bhr Parts
- Smets Screen Printing Sticker set GasGas
- Galfer Performance Brakes Remmen
- Dam Racing Parts
- Dapa Design Clothes
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