Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Conquring the uphills! Not many of them but they definatley make the downs more worthwhile! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't of been better. We had Liz who is the most patient person i've met. Incredible knowledge of the tour and each individual trail. A great leader. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lip Balm and anti chaffing cream! Thank me later! 

Suggestions

If your reading this you might be umming and arrring about the trip....  Just BOOK it! You won't reget it...... 

Most Inspirational Moment

Towards the end of the trip we were riding back to the hotel as the sun was setting. The big red sky, rocky terrain and the sun setting over the moutnains was just awesome. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader worked hard to keep us all together, both during the days out cycling and in the evenings. An accomplished mountain biker, guide, first aider and all round fixer. Top job. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you take your own bike, you might need some spares. There aren't many bike shops out in the Morocco countryside. Oh, and tyres. There are lots of sharp rocks so if you're going tubeless, get some puncture resistant tyres. If you're a regular mountain biker you may be waiting around a lot, since the group always rides together. One thing the guide said that helped me was "it's a holiday, not a training camp". That attitude really helped me to enjoy the riding. When you're stopped, it's a time to relax and enjoy the sunshine rather time waiting to get riding again.  

Suggestions

I would definitely recommend this trip to somebody wanting to go mountain biking somewhere new. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were far too many, each day seemed to provide different challenges and different scenery.The best part for me was the final swim in the Atlantic at the end of the trip having achieved the daily challenges throughout the week.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Group leader, Richard, was brilliant. He was experienced in the trip so knew it well. He had a lot of organisation to do with regards to the bikes, transport, accomdation and meals but it was all done so professionally that the whole week ran seemlessly smoothly. He had a good sense of humour that helped gel the group together and he was aspirational (by showing us how to do it) and inspirational (by encouraging us giving us belief in our abilities) with a kind caring side for those that were struggling for one reason or another (e.g. too many punctures).He was also very confident in being able to fix most bike issues that we came across.For me, he was an essential ingredient of the trip that made it a great trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days are tough as are the tracks in many cases. Make sure you take some well padded gloves as my hands and forearms were aching on the last day.

Suggestions

The bikes are good bikes but the terrain is dusty and tough. It may be worth upgrading them a little just to improve comfort level (The front forks gave my hands and arms a pounding - but then, what I know about bikes wouldn't take long to write down!)

Most Inspirational Moment

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Thoughts on Group Leader

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Advice for Potential Travellers

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Suggestions

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Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the climbs on the bike, and also the short technical parts of the riding (as this was something I had not done much of before). However, my favourite riding was on the high pistes around Tafroute, on the first few days of the week, as we were blessed with incredible views of the red mountains with stunning blue skies and warm sunshine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was great. She managed to keep a large group of cyclists in order and showed interest in everyone in the party so people didn't feel left out. She was very supportive to all riders and their various abilities and encouraged everyone to enjoy the riding, without putting pressure on to speed up or 'take the van'. In what is undoubtably a stressful situation at times for a leader, Liz always managed to keep her cool and got the group through the days with a minimum of fuss.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would certainly agree that everyone needs some off road biking experience, as some of the sections are quite technical and rocky in places. The bikes that are provided are very good and do take some battering, so I would not particularly recommend taking your own bike from home. I was glad to have taken my own saddle though!!

Suggestions

As mentioned above, the support team was great and deserve a lot of praise for their friendliness, good humour and technical assistance with punctures, bike repairs and sandwich making! The accommodation was good, especially the one in Tafroute, but food was a bit limiting (especially for vegetarians) outside of Agadir, although my expectations were not particularly high. The group was large but in general everyone got on fine especially as the week went on. This was my first group cycling trip so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am already trying to sort out the next one! Go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Flying down the long descents and hairpin bends....ace!! Building up my strength on the climbs which I think I did by the end of the week. Spending time with a great bunch of people having a laugh and doing something I love. Getting to see the real Morocco cycling through the berber villages and palmeries.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders were fantastic, we had 2 guides Liz and Rich and 1 local guide Iddiah (hope thats spelt correctly)  All 3 of them looked after us totally and made sure we were safe at all times. Liz’s knowledge of the trails was exceptional giving us information of what to expect on each day especially the undulations we were to undertake :) They made sure all the bikes were in good working order which was no mean feat with all the punctures etc..  Although I was always last in the climbs someone was always behind me to make sure everyone was safe.  Thanks to Rich for his company on the big climbs and words of encouragement to help me make it to the top and also to my fellow cyclists for the lovely welcome party for when I reached the top, no balloons or banners but a big smile on very happy faces and a round of applause and also a nice sugary drink and snack to boost my energy for the next stage. Thanks to the drivers Moustach, Mohammed & Ali for making our lunches and driving us safely around the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you’ve had some off road experience and are pretty reasonably fit to complete the climbs as well as enjoying the descents.  There were some great technical challenges for the most experienced riders but also some easier bits for the others.

Suggestions

This trip was completely amazing but totally for cycling enthusiasts as it’s all about the biking and amazing scenery of course, I thoroughly enjoyed every day even the hard bits, where I did need to use my head a little as well as my feet. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots, including:- some flying descents on max adrenaline;- reaching the top of the longest climb in a respectable state;- doing something I really enjoy with a thoroughly nice group of likeminded people; - playing drums with a group of Morrocans;- a cool beer on the hotel terrace in Immouzzer watching the sun set over endless folds of mountains; - the final descent to the sea and a refreshing dip in it. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 leaders on this trip: Liz and Richie. Both excellent. They worked very hard (and successfully) to keep the bikes running smoothly during the week - no easy task as the bikes take a fearful battering. They dispensed a number of tips on technique, gave us a good idea of what to expect each day, pointed out cultural and topographical features of interest and were concerned for safety without wrapping us in cotton wool. I would be happy to go on another trip with either of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As a number of previous reviewers have pointed out, you have to go up before hurtling down: try and do some hill climb training before you go (on and off tarmac). Also if you're not a regular off road rider, try and ride some rocky trails (e.g. Coed y Brenin in Wales) before you go as this will probably help to get the most out of trip right from the start. (Having said which, those in our group with little or no mountain bike experience did brilliantly.) I am a veggie and, while this was no gourmet extravganza, I survived perfectly adequately. 

Suggestions

Although it may sound a little trite, this trip is really all about the biking. There ain't a whole busting lot to do of an evening in small Morrocan towns. (Agadir's a bit different.) But if off road biking's your thing, this is a really good trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a couple of downhill rides on the tarmac which for someone with my pretty low technical ability were just superb in terms of speed and the views.  But I think like many others the best part of the ride for me is the last 10K on the last day down to the Beach.  From this point the Atlantic glistens and dances off your sunglasses, the road runs smooth, fast and sinuously down hill at a pace hugging the hill side before levelling out onto the coast road and then onto the beach.  A quick pause for end of trip photographs with friends then a sprint into the ocean.  Simply a great way to end a trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz Proctor - this trip takes me into double figures of experience with Exodus and so I feel I'm in a good position to say Liz was one of the finest guides I have come across so far. Liz understands keenly the fact that it is an adventure holiday and their is some risk involved, but never crossed the line into smothering you with health and safety vernacular, she explained how it was each day, what to look out for and what to do if got into trouble - then it was over to you.  She was always there should you need help but never pushing it in your face.  This plus her general aura of amiability, bonhomie and excellent knowledge/experience made her an excellent guide.  She does however go like a greased whippet on the pistes so I wouldn't try racing her too much!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I undertrained for this trip, I neglected any climbing training, there are a number of ascents (fear not these are more than counteracted by the number of descents) so I would prepare for the uphills a little more before arriving.  Also some of the descents can be a little technical and hair raising, a little practice of the basics (more than I had) would I feel be invaluable before arriving.

Suggestions

The entire week was well planned and organised, the hotels in general were great, the support staff really good - brush up on your French though as their English was as good as my Arabic! It provides a happy medium. I did this trip as I usually trek and wanted to try something different. I am glad I did. Worth every bump, scrape, bruise and ignominious faux pas. A great adrenaline rush of a trip tempered by the sobering uphills. Would strongly recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved riding through the small berber villages and Christmas day with the carpet makers in Tiznit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was really hard working and really put the effort in to make sure our bikes were able to cope with the terrain.  She had knowledge of the area and the routes and encouraged people when necessary.  She was also very accommodating for different levels of experience and confidence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this trip pretty fit to get the most out of it.  It really is all about the biking, not so much the culture.  However our guide Liz had good knowledge and of course the local support crew.

Suggestions

Food on the trip was basic,especially on the rides. It was great to have fresh fruit everyday.  The hotel food was quite flavourless and there wasn't much opportunity to see the town. I'll visit Morocco again for those reasons.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long descent to the coast on the last day and a swim in the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OUr leader took great care of us and worked hard to make it a good trip