Distance: 88.9 km
Ride time: 5:25:30
Average: 16.4 km/h
Max speed: 43.6 km/h
Total: 53970 km
Once again the day started on some rather remote roads of varying quality after attempting a short cut. Well, everything worked out fine – in fact I much preferred those small roads compared to the highway we had to follow at the end of the day.
Most of the Atlantic coast of Morocco is very dry, but then you suddenly see those fertile valleys where water is pumped into the fields from a nearby river.
Unfortunately Manon’s knee was acting up again resulting in a rather painful ride into Asilah. We need get this sorted out, but I guess we are both somehow hoping it will be possible to make up to Spain. Without knowing the health care system of Morocco, it just seems like a better idea to wait a few more days.
I made a short visit to Asilah in the summer of 2010, a few months before I left Copenhagen on this bicycle odyssey. I was trying to recall the streets and places as we cycled into town – without much success. I remembered Asilah as being much more photogenic than the somehow anonymous streets we were passing through. That was until we made a sharp left turn and entered the beautiful medina! Amazing Morocco was suddenly right there in front of us again, just as impressive as I remembered.
A number of touts pretty much attacked us as we entered the medina, trying to sell us a room for the night. We opted for a place that was actually a whole apartment for a price we managed to bargain down to something manageable. We paid the owner of the room, only to have the tout return 20 minutes later, demanding a rather high tip for finding the room for us.
Normally I think it’s fair enough to give a tip to a taxi driver or a guide, but I really didn’t like the aggressive way the tout was now demanding money. He seemed pretty angry as I told him to go away, and I made sure the door and our bikes were properly locked before going to bed. I’m kind of looking forward to enter Spain where these things won’t happen anymore.
We are only 50 km away from Tanger and the end of Africa now!
Oh my word, so glad you were able to get out of there and to safely arrive in Spain!! I know this part of your adventure is over and done with but I still worry about your and Manon’s safety.
I’ve heard a lot about Morocco’s wonderful architecture. Obviously it’s very true!