Stage 36 of 60, day 43 of 71: 63.4 km, 925m, 2:55, 125 shifts, ave speed 21.7, max speed 53.2
It was nice to have a relaxed easy morning and a shorter ride. We only took one rest day in Marrakech so now have three days to do what was originally planned as two. We dropped our bags in the truck at 7:45, then had breakfast outside by the pool. Others were staying in the hotel another night, taking our route, taking busses and taxis to the official campsite, or riding some or all of the official stage. We said goodbye and took off in our mini-group of four.
We headed out of town on a pretty straight and boring road. It drizzled a tiny bit but generally was a bit hot and sweaty. We were carrying small backpacks. We rode to the first town, 30 km, and stopped at a nice hotel for drinks on the shaded lawn. We were already almost halfway through with the day’s ride. We headed another 15 km up to the town of Asni for lunch just after 1. The riding was much more interesting, curving around, up a gorge.
Checking ratings on Google is almost cheating but we do it because it works. Lunch was just excellent, tajine with fresh bread and lots of drinks.
After lunch we continued up and down along to Ouirgane. We were passing destroyed buildings from the 6.8 earthquake just over a month ago. I won’t post photos but it was pretty shocking. Tents for temporary living were everywhere. The epicenter was not far away.
The guesthouse we had booked was damaged but had a second building that seemed undamaged where we could stay. We were warmly welcomed and the rooms were nice. Right outside we spied bikes belonging to Andre, Joan and Kris, who had decided on the spur of the moment last night/this morning to take this route and just wing it, no reservations. Coincidentally they ended up in the same place.
I skipped the (cold) shower in favor of a swim in the nice clean pool. But it sure felt weird swimming within a few meters of destroyed houses. We had tea, and a walk around town and Wow! Some places were totally destroyed, others not. People were working on clean up. There is an official refugee camp in town, lots of tents. People seemed surprisingly normal, smiled, said bon jour. We even bought some snacks and drinks in the shop.
We had arranged to eat at the guesthouse and enjoyed a large feast, starting with rice and various salads, then tajine with fresh, hot, homemade bread and grapes and apples for dessert. It was long, loud, tasty and fun.
We’re all looking forward to riding up to the famous Tizi n’Test pass tomorrow.
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