Atlas Mountain Race 2024 | Pushing Beyond My Limits

[@CycleXplorer]

I hope you enjoyed sharing my adventure. If you have any questions about the race feel free to ask.

[@CycleXplorer]

Who is planning on riding the Atlas Mountain Race in 2025?

[@Al_Fresco]

Me! Any advice on where to stay before the race? The race hotel doesn't seem to be great value for money....

[@CycleXplorer]

@@Al_Fresco there are quite a few air bnb apartments around the area of the race hotel. Offer a bit more space and privacy, along with some cooking facilities! There are lots of amazing Riads, but a bit further away. Or if you're feeling very posh, the Four Seasons hotel 😂 if I went again I think I'd stick with the air bnb option. We stayed at Riad Garden.

[@globaljobber]

Well done Tom. Great video. Fantastic achievement. Memories for life.

[@CycleXplorer]

Lots of memories. One of the reason I made a film was to be able to remember it. When you're very tired you tend to forget things.... Thank you

[@davidtilly2142]

Congratulations Tom I met your friend Louis at the end of the 100k stretch loved his solar panel. I had a fall and broke my collar bone on the end of the piest. Recovering well and back on the turbo. Thanks for the great videos and congratulations for finishing Dave Tilly.

[@CycleXplorer]

O man that is a shame, did you manage to get home okay or did you have to stay there a while? He loved his solar panel, it was quite cool how well it charged his phone etc.

[@lydiagould3090]

Glad to hear you're recovering David. I was following your dot, and saw you'd had to scratch.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Congrats to you both. And thanks for sharing your journey Tom, it wets my appetite. 😅

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, I'm sure you'd love it!

[@CycleXplorer]

Dave, did you recover okay? Are you planning a return to Atlas Mountain Race in 2025?

[@davidedwards4676]

Massive welldone and awesome film thanks

[@CycleXplorer]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for taking the time to watch me complain my way through Morocco!

[@stevehayes6455]

Loved this. You covered all the bits I did at night in the daytime so nice to see what I missed. Thank you

[@CycleXplorer]

Haha yes, that's what I've liked about the other videos and photos. I have now seen what the beaches looked like 😂 how did you find the event? Thanks for watching 😊

[@clovioushoofus3928]

very impressive, well done, you are a warrior!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, I like that!

[@littletownie4008]

Thank you. That was a great video of a awesome race.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks for the kind works 😊

[@HScutt-xk6ov]

Amazing video of your incredible adventure.I just can’t imagine how exhausting it must be,to ride so far in such tough terrain.I would be terrified of the dogs! How you do it I just don’t know but we are in awe of you.Congratulations Tom xxx

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for watching it and cheering my dot on the way round!

[@JMNicholson]

Congrats, not an easy thing to accomplish! Thanks for sharing your experience with us all

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, it was certainly tough. But the more I look back the less I remember about the hard bits. Which is dangerous 🤣 have you done it?

[@lizzycampbell3665]

Whaaaat! That’s an epic ride! Well done! I hope you are doing okay and your bum and legs are okay.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, it was an epic adventure. Legs are getting there but the hunger levels remain high 🤣

[@Laura-dv6cb]

🥹 wow just watching is a emotional . You are ever so incredible and courageous . What a fantastic achievement you have done Tom . You looked relatively fresh all the way through . How you kept going I don’t know . I wonder what your next adventure will be ? Xx

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, it was hard but rewarding. The cycling was one of the easier bits of the whole thing, it was everything else that went with it. I'm hoping to do the Dales Divide in a few weeks time.

[@jamesherd9132]

Well Done loved your video many thanks

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it, makes the work to make it worthwhile!

[@sblake393]

This was amazing to watch and see you tackle this epic event! I was the guy who shouted KZbin at you a few months back on the heathland near Picket Post!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, that made me and (mainly) my wife laugh when you shouted. Seems a while ago now, I was preparing for this event. Things are very wet in the forest at the mo, have you been getting out?

[@sblake393]

Are you going to do a follow up vid reflecting on the trip? I’ve just been commuting in the rain at the moment. Using the Castleman when it’s been dry enough. Going to start some longer distance bits ready for my first Chase the Sun later in the year. Great effort again! Chapeau

[@CycleXplorer]

Hopefully have a follow up later this week! Getting fed up with the rain and general greyness now 🫣

[@GrantLundberg]

Amazing adventure. A great accomplishment! Thank you for sharing.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for watching the video, it was a proper adventure into the unknow!

[@rodjason9397]

Amazing ride, those paths looked well sketchy. Glad you're back in one piece. 👍

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, a tad more sketchy than the New Forest - but a lot (by a long way) drier!

[@SIRMBO_]

I watched the whole Race and i enjoyed it....Well done

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for watching it and for taking time to comment.

[@Jimoto]

Absolutely badass effort! Congratulations. I hope I can do the Atlas some day.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you! It's an epic race/route and an amazing country

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Well done Tom. Its a great feeling finishing an ultra, and counting down those final endless kilometres 😅

[@CycleXplorer]

Cheers! Those last 40 odd km felt like they took about a day on their own...

[@lydiagould3090]

Thankyou for sharing your adventure. I was a Dot Watcher on the race website, so ,amazing to see just how hard it was.Those hike-a-bike sections must have been a nightmare with a fully loaded bike. I think I would take pepper spray for those pesky dogs. They sounded a real pain, apart from being dangerous. The cats looked cute though🤣

[@CycleXplorer]

The hike-a-bike was a weird combo. At first it was a nice change to be off the bike then it was very hot with no breeze 🥵 Pepper spray may have been good, but I've seen people have had success with whistles and alarms that just irritate and don't hurt the dogs. I'd probably chose the wrong frequency and make them even more enraged 🤣 Thanks for doing the Dot Watching. You've a pretty inspirational story, I've listed to you on the Successful Athletes Podcast.

[@SusanLonghurst-x6s]

What an experience Tom you are amazing such an excellent and interesting video.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for taking the time to watch it. I hope it provided some entertainment to David and yourself x

[@ryanforrest8674]

Amazing achievement and inspiring to watch!

[@CycleXplorer]

Cheers Ryan, maybe another ride in the Forest somewhen?

[@chrismoody8777]

Great vid, Tom, nice mix of scenery and your suffering! :D Chapeau!

[@CycleXplorer]

Cheers Chris, it was a great (I think I've mentally recovered enough to say that) event - maybe one for you?

[@stevenmoatt4736]

I enjoyed watching your ride.The head wind on the last section is a real test of will.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, yeah the last section was ridiculous. Never has 40km felt so long 😂

[@solway17carlisle]

Fantastic achievement - enjoyed every minute of that. Impressive that you managed to film as well as complete the race ….Great stuff. What a tough course but amazing scenery

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for the kind words. It was a very tough event, but the scenery and the night skies were incredible. The more time that passes since the finish, the less I'm remembering the hard bits 😂 are you interested in trying the Atlas Mountain Race?

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - I think you did incredibly well, though for me the endurance/stamina aspect would be a bit too much I think. I have a cycling video of bikepacking across the Atlas if you’re interested - very hot even for early March. Like you I found the experience a bit of a culture shock at first until I settled into the ride. All the best..👍😊

[@CycleXplorer]

@@solway17carlisle I will have to watch - there was so much to take in that a more relaxed bikepacking trip may have been more enjoyable. Would have been nice to not have to rush through some of the really beautiful sections and pass through many in the darkness of night.

[@davidcorless9567]

I've done a few unsupported tours on my bike Tom, but nothing like this! An amazing challenge and great that you managed to complete it.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks David, you'll have to tell me more about those tours in a few weeks!

[@Forest_velo]

Amazing achievement, Tom. Your persistence is impressive! 👏

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you Forest Velo. Hopefully you'll get out on an overnighter at some point 😉

[@jadeellis388]

Congratulations Tom, a fantastic achievement! I see what you mean about all the dogs now. I think you and Lizzie should have enjoyed a week in the resort to celebrate! Hope your legs have recovered now 😅

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, Jade. Yes, lots of dogs and not the cute little spaniel kind... I think my recovery is nearly there, tiredness is subsiding and legs coming back! Maybe there is an Atlas Mountain run event for you...

[@stuartcaughlin2788]

Top ride Tom, you are without a doubt level 18.64 Legend

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank mate! A few more and maybe I'll reach level 19 🏅

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Well done Tom a great achievement accompanied by a great video, Thankfully I am an old man who thinks 20 miles is far enough but even if I was younger I doubt whether I would have the ability or inclination to ride so far. As for dogs how you coped with so many is unbelievable. Why we can't carry pepper spray I don't know. You've definitely got another Sub now.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

I bet there's more dog chases giving Tom nightmares that never made it to camera.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you very much. 20 miles is 20 miles, as long as you enjoy it! I really hadn't thought about dogs but if/when I do another event further afield I'll be doing some extra research beforehand 🐕

[@TheCoeliacCyclist]

Well done great effort. Looks especially tough this year after all the rain.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, have you done it? I have not done it before so can only compare to the other events and races I've done and it was by far the hardest!

[@stuartcaughlin2788]

13:30 "Finally a little bit of shade" - in the style of Mick Jagger. Nice

[@CycleXplorer]

Just one of many moans

[@stuartcaughlin2788]

@@CycleXplorer high quality and understandable moaning

[@alanhanley9515]

You still havent seen a Turtle, that was a Tortoise....

[@CycleXplorer]

😂 thanks, maybe I need to do a race near the sea to get that experience. To be honest I thought I was hallucinating when I first saw it...

[@RichardGate-UK]

Your schedule seemed almost identical to mine in 2023! Congratulations on the finish, it was the hardest thing I have ever done!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, I'd agree that it was very hard! I think you had some colder weather? We got quite lucky at night as it didn't get super cold - perhaps 0 on the first day and then 3/4 degrees other days.

[@RichardGate-UK]

@@CycleXplorer did you manage to ride the sandy desert section? It was just too soft and took me well over 2 hours walking.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

​@@RichardGate-UKI don't know how anyone can ride sand - looks exhausting

[@RichardGate-UK]

@@BikepackingAdventures I think this year there was damp and a 4WD had left compacted tracks.

[@CycleXplorer]

Yes I managed to ride it, I let a lot of air out my tyres. There were still some patches where it was proper soft. Maybe the rain before did help, albeit I was there about 5 days later. It was a bit like riding in the new forest in the summer, so maybe I have some unknown skills 😂

[@omare_biketonature]

Congratulations on finishing, thanks for documenting and sharing! Can you share your stats, time to finish?

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, a few stats: 80th Place 6d 7h 49m 15s Elapsed Time 87 hours 53 mins moving time (albeit the Garmin was pausing whilst hiking and manoeuvring the bike over rocks) 1,354km (maybe a few more with the Garmin pauses) 2 Tagines 2 tubs of chocolate spread Unknown quantity of biscuits consumed....

[@huntos83]

This was awesome, well done! What would you change about your setup if you did it again? It seems like with quite a lot of tough climbs and hike a bike a lighter weight setup might make it easier? Maybe a good subject for a video, a lot of people make videos of their setup before an event, but rarely see a proper breakdown after the event of what did and didn’t work, what you would change, whether you would use a different bike, tyres etc etc.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you and thanks for the idea. I've started to do a video about what went well etc and it does include a bit on my kit. I could have got away with less, oh the power of hindsight. There were quite a few places that even without any kit riding would have been very challenging or slow. The hiking does break things slightly and provides a change for the body and mind. Hopefully have the video up next week

[@RachelLamb-d5g]

Great video Stocker! I really want some coca cola now.....they should've sponsored you

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks, I'll look forward to Pete and yourself doing it as a pair in 2025

[@stephenhammond3656]

Well done Mate! - really enjoyed watching this :) I have a few questions for you : - Did the Photochromatic lens in your Jawbreakers work well? Would you use them again? What width were your Mezcals? Possible to ride this route on a rigid setup (not a gravel Bike, but a hardtail with carbon fork) Do they change the route each year or is it generally the same with each edition? Power bank or Dynamo hub? What's next for you?? perhaps The Silk Road Mountain Race??

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks for watching and the questions, I have a follow-up video later this week that may answer some of them. However: 1) The lens worked really well and I'd use them again. It may have been better if the tint in the day was slightly darker for the bright sun but it saved changing lenses or glasses. 2) I used 2.25 Mezcals - I may have been slightly better with a slightly wider rear but I wasn't ever that uncomfortable. 3) People have done it on a gravel bike, I'd still prefer some suspension but you may be fine with some big tyres. It's probably personal preference albeit most people were on MTBs. I think the people that returned went from gravel bikes to hard tails to full sus over the years. 4) The route has evolved a bit over time, it was made slightly longer last year for a better finish location and this year it was the same with a couple of tweaks and weather diversions. But who knows, Nelson could decide to change it next time. 5) I used a powerbank - that will be in my video ;-) 6) This was probably my big event of the year due to costs and annual leave etc. But I have a number of UK based ones coming up over the summer albeit ranging between 500 and 1000km. Just need some of that Moroccan sunshine... What are your plans for the year?

[@stephenhammond3656]

@CycleXplorer thanks for the great reply! I appreciate the effort. OK, I'll look out for your follow up video :) I'm off to ride Tour Divide from Banff in June, but thinking about AMR next year?? I have a Ti hardtail with rigid carbon fork (Sonder) so I'm hoping that will do the trick in Morocco. I run Mezcal 2.35 or 2.6 depending on location and powerbanks rather than dynamo. Exposure lights as well. Cheers, Steve (New Zealand)

[@CycleXplorer]

@@stephenhammond3656 Tour Divide, wow! I expect the atlas will be a quick trip compared to that! For reference the guy who won AMR was on a FS and did the Divide on a HT.

[@-Steve-01]

Have watched a few videos of riders in the top 10-20, but honestly somehow your footage and commentary gives more of an idea of the ride for this of us that aren't pros but would still like to try. Nice work, well done for filming and thanks for sharing. What was your finishing time, and did you see many other riders? On the latter days you seemed completely by yourself. Will check out some other videos for sure.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, that was sort of my idea, tell it from the perspective of a more 'average' rider. I finished in 80th place in 6 days 8 hours. If I did it again I think I could perhaps knock off a day by knowing the course, Morocco in general, better kit choices and less faff. I saw people every day, less so towards the end. But I often bumped into people at cafes or shops. You sort of end up seeing the same people, sometimes ahead sometimes behind. I rode with people here and there but it's hard to ride at the same pace. In the remote section I rode with someone for a good few hours but he carried on when I went to bed. Sadly he didn't finish but I saw him at the end at the hotel and we had a good chat which was nice. It's so interesting hearing people's stories as everyone saw or experienced something different. I've enjoyed some of the videos where I was riding at night and not seeing the scenery.

[@NabilRobiati]

@@CycleXplorer what bivy/tent did you use? im to doing this in 2025 and im not sure what small/portable bivy tent i should get, so that i dont have dogs on my face during the night. im thinking of the Outdoor Research Helium bivy bag

[@CycleXplorer]

@@NabilRobiati hi. It was the helium bivy that I used. I used it with a thermarest and an alpkit sleeping bag. In general I slept with the end of it open as it was dry. One or 2 nights I slept on top of it as it was lovely and warm! I'd probably take the same again. I did see one person asleep on the floor in just a down jacket and it didn't look too much fun. If you have any other questions as you begin your prep I'm happy to help.

[@NabilRobiati]

@@CycleXplorer thank you so much that would be awesome I have lots of questions even after all the videos I watched. Did you have 2 gps systems? How do you find food in the towns if you arrive at night are there places open? What about the dogs ? Every video I watch people complaining about dogs should I take a dog repellent ? Also, is there cell reception on most of the route ? Did you buy a local sim?

[@CycleXplorer]

@@NabilRobiati hi. I used one gps (Garmin 530) and had to recharge it a few times. Most places were closed late at night, but not sure what time they closed or open. I'd try and make sure you have enough stuff to see you through the night/to the next resupply point. Maybe I got a bit unlucky with dogs, but if I did it again I'd read up more on how to handle an encounter - perhaps getting off my bike and shouting at it as opposed to cycling off at full speed! Some sort of dog repelling device may make you feel more comfortable but I wouldn't want to use anything that hurt the dogs. There was good cell reception, a few places where there was none but in general good coverage. I brought a SIM card at the airport when I arrived, I think that's the best way to do it and they set it up for you. Think I brought a €20 one with a load of data on it.

[@ferruccio4531]

hi Tom, I watched your video from start to finish and I loved it. I like your attitude, always calm and collected even when the events seem to conspire against you but very much determined to achieve your objective. If I may ask, what was you position in the standigs in the end? subscribed. ciao from Venice (Italy)

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not sure I was totally calm when the dogs appeared when I was getting into my sleeping bag. There were points that really tested me so I was pleased to get to the end. I finished in 80th position. If I did it again I feel I could save a lot just through what I learnt. I'm thinking about doing some sort of video about what went well, what I learnt etc.

[@Steven-gf1ns]

Fantastic video, terrific achievement. When you were training what did you eat? Did you stick to the foods you thought you would eat on the course?

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for the comment. No I didn't really anticipate what the food situation would really be like. I eat quite a lot of eggs anyway so the omelettes were fine. I also took some of the sports nutrition that I normally use and some dehydrated porridges, providing me with some fuel but not nearly enough. There is a racer called Gail Brown, she's written some blogs. She takes Tupperware and orders 2 meals and saves one for later. She did this on her Atlas Mountain Race last year. Maybe should have paid more attention 😂 With these long races I find you just eat anything you fancy and a lot of rubbish. So long as it's going down and fuelling I don't think it matters. If I was somewhere more developed, say in France, it'd be much easier to get proper meals. Albeit on the Pan Celtic it was quite a struggle in Brittany. When you could get food tho it was a lot better eg pizzas, good bakeries, McDonalds!

[@Steven-gf1ns]

Thank you.

[@francisco2400]

Great video. What gopro you use here? Thanks

[@CycleXplorer]

Hi. Thank you, glad you liked it. I filmed it using my GoPro Hero 10 Black and a Pro Standard mount. I also took a couple of shots/clips on my iPhone.

[@dominickregan2766]

Congratulations, Great Video, are your gpx files online ?

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. You can get the route from Komoot via the AMR website: www.atlasmountainrace.com Are you thinking of doing it?

[@timmcdowell3097]

Great vid biscuit boy,,,, mega effort and inspirational journey 💪👍 Glad you knew not to trust the Moroccan farts!

[@CycleXplorer]

Haha thanks Tim. Yes no trusting them. Got back on the biscuits this week so it didn't put me off too long!

[@colingoulding3227]

Well done! Do you think this is possible for someone who has not rode an ultra before. I train 5x a week and do 200mile hilly rides now and then. I have a front suspension gravel bike with 40mm travel and 50mm tyres. Do you think this is sufficient? Thanks

[@CycleXplorer]

Anything is possible. Probably more a matter of how 'enjoyable' it'll be. It is a seriously tough event, the hardest I've done (so far...). The riding probably isn't actually the hard part, it's all the bits around it like getting food, managing sleep, looking after aches and pains, keeping the bike working etc. some experience of bikepacking would help a lot and there's still time to do that. For reference I'm interested in the Silk Road Mountain Race but I think I need another year or two of learning and failing so that I can make the most of what will probably be a once in a lifetime trip. With regards to the bike, people have done it on gravel bikes. It isn't a 'gravel' specific event. A mountain bike would be much better in terms of comfort. But with some suspension you may be okay. Again, depends on what you're used to. Ultimately people make all sorts of bikes work on these events, there was even a tandem!!! Would you be thinking of doing it in 2025

[@colingoulding3227]

Yes Tom, that’s the plan. I think the gravel bike will be fine now looking at the terrain on various videos but need the Redshift seat suspension for additional comfort. Atlas looks relentless & that is the attraction strangely. My coach says I’m fit enough but this event is way more than that like you said, which is why I’m in two minds! At some point it’s going to be all mental, probably from CP1, which I hear is a mission to get too😂 You planning for it in 2025? Silk Road is surely the toughest event in the world - very remote!

[@CycleXplorer]

@@colingoulding3227 when I entered, when I started it and through much of it I didn't know if I would get to the finish. That's also part of the attraction and shows it is testing your abilities. So if you're tempted I would say go for it, you've got lots of time to test kit etc. one of the nice things is the desert environment, it's dry and when you wake up your not covered in condensation like the uk. I'm not doing it next year, I don't have the benefit of unlimited time and funds so will looks to do something I've not done yet. Albeit not decided which.

[@colingoulding3227]

Thanks for the info Tom - appreciated

[@CycleXplorer]

@@colingoulding3227 no worries. Happy to try and answer the questions people have!

[@NabilRobiati]

Bro. How’s the actual navigation aspect at Atlas? Is it easy to get lost? Was it hard to navigate with lack of sleep or is it pretty straightforward? Did you just load sections on your gps? Did you have climb pro on to see how long the climbs were etc ? I’d appreciate some guidance and thoughts on navigation.

[@CycleXplorer]

Yo. It wasn't too difficult. I obtained an OpenStreetMap so I had a Moroccan base map on my Garmin Edge 530. Google will tell you how. The route is then provided, broken down into chunks. I followed it on my Garmin without too many problems. A couple of areas are harder but literally followed the line and always got to a clearer trail. Didn't use climb pro as I don't like it 😂 in addition to the garmin I used the Komoot app and ride with gps map to check things or work out where I am in relation to stuff. The ride with gps has points of interest etc and the organiser marked some shops and key bits of info. I'm pretty sure I had auto reroute turned off so it bleeped if I went off course but didn't then make up some ridiculous detour back to the route. I don't find it too hard when tired as I'm literally following the line and don't have to think too much 😂 Some people did get lost, one guy rode about 50 miles in the wrong directing but not sure how that happened. Are you entering?

[@NabilRobiati]

@@CycleXplorer thanks for your message bro. Of course I’m doing it!!!!! Well,,,,, as soon as Nelson confirms the date. U doing it again? Better? Faster ?

[@CycleXplorer]

@@NabilRobiati lovely, I hope it goes well! I won't be next year as there are over events I'd like to do and like most people have limited holiday and cash!

[@Laura-dv6cb]

What was the costs of your adventure flight hotels food etc ?

[@CycleXplorer]

This is something I don't really want to add up.... Probably quite a lot!

[@NabilRobiati]

Tom, how do we find you on Strava?

[@CycleXplorer]

I may set one up for my events/videos. My own one feels a tad personal to share widely, but I'll think about it 😊

[@NabilRobiati]

@@CycleXplorer respect bro! ok but at least share with us, how long was ur riding time, vs your elapsed time on atlas?

[@CycleXplorer]

@ sure, my elapsed time was 145 hours and my moving time was 88 hours. The moving time probably isn't 100% as when I was hike a biking my Garmin paused at times.

[@Steven-gf1ns]

How long were your long rides in training leading up to the event, did you train by hours or distance?

[@Steven-gf1ns]

Whoops just seen one of your other videos, how you train 😊

[@CycleXplorer]

Hi, I didn't do any huge rides, before the race. One of my longest was a 100 mile mtb ride on the road: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKLEfJ9ngrSVosksi=KLcfvGbdtRGQP2oz I work full-time and the UK winter (for me) doesn't lend itself to spending hours upon hours riding outside. I would much rather have 12 consistent weeks of training than a massive ride followed by the need for an extended period of recovery. Due to the work aspect I have to utilise the turbo trainer and intensity to build my fitness and supplement that with some longer rides at weekends/days off. In a way the AMR has been a bit of a winter training camp for the next events I am hoping to do! I did do a video on one of my longer weeks of winter training, which was circa 16 hours including some time in the gym: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKLEfJ9ngrSVosksi=KLcfvGbdtRGQP2oz With these types of races there is much more to it than just riding, there is a lot of strategy involved such as knowing what to take, how to eat, when and how much to sleep etc. Most of that comes via experience and practice, I have been building this over the last few years and still learning as I go. But having a good level of fitness gives you one less thing to worry about.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

So lets get the most importantenest question asked - what kind of biscuits? Custard creams, bourbons or maybe hobknobs?

[@CycleXplorer]

😂 if I were to give a general description it would be a dust biscuit. The common one was a poor quality Oreo knockoff. They all tasted pretty much the same, although maybe that's just because I had so many...

[@BikepackingAdventures]

@@CycleXplorer "dust biscuit" 😃

[@RonnyChopper-oz5jl]

""Some very nice buildings and architecture to look at ... "" where? I am looking into a strangers face.

[@CycleXplorer]

Sorry about the views of my face Ronny. They were nice buildings, maybe Google Streetview?

[@RonnyChopper-oz5jl]

@@CycleXplorer have been the first time in Morocco 1997 and from then on another 8x , know the place. ;)

[@CycleXplorer]

@@RonnyChopper-oz5jl nice, I really want to go back for a non-cycle (or less cycling) holiday type experience. Saw a lot but it was all a bit of a delirious blur!