Episode 8 Part 1 - on a BMW R1250GS through Morocco - What was I thinking? The Desert is too tough

It was a very unusual feeling for a solo traveler to be on the road in a group, but I really enjoyed not having to plan anything but just following along. One thing is for sure, I would have never seen so many places in Morocco if I had explored it alone. Apart from many off-road passages that I wouldn't have driven alone, we had 3 people in the group who spoke Arabic, which makes a big difference.
I was extremely insecure on the track and I am very grateful to Pierre that he took the time to ride the track in Chefchaouen with me.
The list of costs comes at the end of the second part, but I can't name individual items as we used Tricount in the group and I therefore don't know many of the individual prices. (Of course I paid for the tour in full, but I don't share tour prices because I don't want to get in the way of possible price adjustments by the providers).

[@sailaway4559]

Brilliant video, you are very good, well done. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@waynegargan8468]

Amazing…. Not sure I would be any better. Keep doing the hard stuff. One day it will be easy (and maybe even fun😂)

[@travelwithevora]

If you look back it was always fun 😂 .. maybe not in that moment but you keep only good memories if they are not really bad

[@raystewart365]

Your handling the big GS like a pro, well done, great video

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 😃

[@patrickmcmanus1125]

This is great. The honesty of the situation is good to see. So many of us don't acknowledge our limitations. But we can learn.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 😊

[@Gogo_Grandad1962]

What can we say. Your doing it and we are sat watching. So good on you. Keep going.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 😊

[@BlackThor15]

Well done Nicole! You’re doing great and the way is forward! Keep it up! 👍👍

[@travelwithevora]

@@BlackThor15 thank you very much 😊

[@robertmcmillan8536]

Ah, the hard part is to not quit. So you did well,all of life is a learning experience. Thanks for sharing your video

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you :)

[@MichèleHenrigues]

Wow, just great, I'm deeply impressed, good job!! 👍

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks 😊

[@clivewarren5404]

I'm just so impressed how easily you lift the GS, you are cetainly learning new skills the hard way !

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks 😊 well I'm strong and tall.. that is advantageous 😅 I used to be a truck and tank mechanic in the army and I did some CrossFit .. but I'm not as fit as I would like to be 😂

[@jessherbst810]

I love that you paused to let the woman cross the road at the beginning of the video. Says good things about you.

[@travelwithevora]

@@jessherbst810 thank you 😊

[@patriciuspad]

INSPIRING. There is pnly one way to this. That is your way. Congratulations..

[@travelwithevora]

@@patriciuspad thank you ☺️

[@gasman6163]

you are going from strength to strength, bravo!

[@travelwithevora]

@@gasman6163 thanks 😊

[@keesverhagen9227]

Next journey try AX41 tires. Perfect for such a trip and that bike. Thanks for another beautifull video.🙏 So much respect for you.👊👊

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 🙏🏼 😊 let's see when I'll be in this situation next time

[@Angel_EU34]

1:21 that's not dropping the bike, that's warming up the back muscles for the trail ahead :D This episode comes to show how hard is to offroad with big and heavy adventure bikes. Most people i know with those will do as you did or worse. They require lots of training to ride without continuously running into trouble. Don't feel bad about it. There are very good reasons for Noraly (Itchyboots) to ride a small Honda CRF 300 that is, wait for it, almost A HUNDRED kg less than your bike. I love the voice over. Is way, way better than subtitles and it feels like a documentary :D

[@donewhiskey]

I also ride a CRF300L and it is much easier in sand or difficult terrain, BUT it's not fun at all on the highway or fast tarmac. It's an absolute weapon in the city, though. That works for Noraly, because she avoids those roads if at all possible. I think a lot of the issues with the GS will be solved with more throttle and more off-road experience. That said, I will personally never ride anything over 750. After 800, everything becomes just too cumbersome.

[@travelwithevora]

😅 yeah that was the actual reason for dropping the bike in the beginning 😇 That's true, it makes sense, especially for big stretches of sand. The Voice over is only possible if I stay at a place on my own 🥲 If I stay in a hostel or on a campsite it's most of the time too loud to record anything.

[@travelwithevora]

@@donewhiskey yes absolutely 👍🏻 but mastering sand takes a lot of time

[@donewhiskey]

@@travelwithevora A lot of time. I survive sand, but I'm not looking forward to it 😄 You did great!

[@davidz8]

This is your best video so far, I almost felt like I was there, I am running late watching as I was at the ABR Festival, you should come next year it is fantastic.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 🙏🏼 I'll see 😊 this time I was to late.. I just reached Ireland today.

[@fransbr92]

Hello Evora, I envy your adventurous ride in Morocco but I also know how tough it is sometimes. During my trip through Morocco with my Guzzi V85tt I also had great difficulty with loose sand. Driving in sand becomes easier if you have more speed and steer loosely. But that's easier said than done. Your videos have gotten better and better and so will your off-road skills if you can practice more. Please continue with your beautiful journey and enjoy it. Greetings, Frans from the Netherlands.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 yes, I tried to keep up the speed with constant throttle but you become slower and slower.. You really do have to keep giving throttle jolts.. I really want to try it again, but it was a bit better in Part 2 which will be online on Tuesday :) There are still so many things to learn 😃 I do my best

[@alansavage3549]

The GS is such a capable bike it makes us believe we could climb Mount Everest on it 😎

[@travelwithevora]

😅 that could be difficult

[@stefanmargraf7878]

Respect! I feel you. Its brutal. I did my first trails that weekend on Monte Grappa Italy. My breath was like yours, heatstroke was near. One of my mistakes was to wear a regular integral helmet. I jumped fully closed in a river to cool down. Fortunately i drove a DRZ400 (150kg).

[@travelwithevora]

😅 at a certain Point the River is the only way 👌🏼

[@CeeDeeLight]

It's great watching you in all these places. Thanks for representing the female riders in a male dominated activity! #WomenSupportingWomenRiders

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 🙏🏼😊

[@Jitusvision]

YOU ARE AMAZING JUST AMAZING. GREAT RIDE, YOU ARE MAKING PROPER USE OF GSA🙂

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 🥹

[@SlipperyJack60]

0:57 You changed 'ruts'. I've done that with exactly the same result. In fact, my shoulder is nearly ok again after doing this exactly a year ago. However, I did mine on less forgiving terrain than sand. We live and learn, and the hardest lessons are the most successful ones, so I haven't done it since!

[@travelwithevora]

Yes exactly 😅 sometimes it's better to stay Oh damn .. that's bad :/ such a long recovery

[@goranjankovic5690]

Can’t wait to see part two 🤩

[@esrider7765]

Too hot and rugged for me, glad you are enjoying.

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks :)

[@jean-luclamouche65]

I have a GS too, I wouldn't ride it in the sand, too heavy. You are brave.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 😃 at least the bike falls soft

[@virgilio1355]

You are doing well. I ride a 1200 gs and know exactly how heavy that bike is .

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you 😊

[@davidmatthews3093]

It makes an entertaining video but like in an earlier episode you are on the wrong bike with the wrong tyres for the conditions. It all becomes hard work and tiring. At least you’re not trying to cross the sand on your own. 🙂 10/10 for endurance.

[@travelwithevora]

:) will there ever be the perfect (travel) bike to cross big stretches of sand? I tried the Royal enfield and it wasn't that much better :'D it's a lack of skill.. but I have to start somewhere.

[@davidmatthews3093]

@@travelwithevoraI know but you’re starting with a bike that will always be difficult. When you have time I recommend that you watch Itchy Boots’ South Africa series where she came to terms with sand on a small light CRF 250.

[@travelwithevora]

@@davidmatthews3093 I saw some of her videos in sand :) don't know if that specific part but I'll check

[@barebonesmc]

Sand is a hard one on a heavy bike. 😊 however good you are. I found you 😊 last overnight before the run home for me now. Talk soon 😊

[@davefearon1620]

Momentum is the key Just lean backwards on the back wheel Don’t slow down just gun it Great vids

[@travelwithevora]

@@davefearon1620 thanks 😄 yeah.. I tried but the sand slows you down. Need more throttle but I couldn't get it right 🥲

[@davefearon1620]

@@travelwithevora it’s all a learning curve Enjoy the travels look forward to seeing more Safe travels

[@aukdudedude2634]

I don't think what you're doing there in thr desert in particular is easy for anyone the first time. It can't be easy to hand over your bike to someone else either. But you appear to have still enjoyed the challenge. I missed you for a while but I'm binge catching up....really enjoying your journey.

[@travelwithevora]

Thank you very much :) it wasn't easy but it was great :D

[@oldmanvlogger9259]

GS is a good bike for going miles and using tarmac and rough roads, but, it's too heavy, especially when laden to do sand of any type. (Watch 'Long way round' etc.) However, you coped admirably, well done, (stay away from sand). Ride and Stay safe.

[@travelwithevora]

I know long way round 😊 great Series. Yeah for this sand it was really heavy 😅 thanks 😊

[@philwall5315]

A good rider draws on experience, and WHAT an experience you had there! Great patience! Hey from Wales!

[@travelwithevora]

That's true 😊 thank you very much 😃

[@andrewewan624]

Good entertainment as usual Glad no injuries with your "offs ".. Should l take a big bike or would a smaller one be better? A question most adventure riders must ask themselves Take care

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks :) well, the GS is a great bike, but of course a smaller bike has its advantages when travelling alone.

[@brucecurtis6281]

Hmm, is it like skiing? Weight on the upper, hill side edge (peg) controls the balance?

[@travelwithevora]

I was skiing once in my life as a kid.. so I can't tell 😅 but I would say normal of road feels like sliding around sometimes, sand is more like walking getting slower and stuck.. you need to somehow stay at your speed

[@barebonesmc]

Hiya just back, aching and ready to go again already lol, are there any specific videos you want me to link to? hope you are having fun 🙂ride free sister 🙂

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks 😊 no, nothing specific

[@barebonesmc]

@@travelwithevora ok, ill have a look around when i get chance and see what i come up with 🙂

[@barebonesmc]

@@travelwithevora ive just linked back to this video on my community page for now. i am doing a restructure though and moving all the tour videos to the backup channel to try and seperate things better#. If you are up for it i can maybe do a video telling your story at some point. that will get more traction im sure. chat soon and good luck

[@travelwithevora]

@@barebonesmc thank you 🙏🏼😃 yeah I thought I'll do that when I'm back home, but I'll see, maybe I find a good place for it on the road :)

[@barebonesmc]

@@travelwithevora as and when you get chance if you put something in writing ill happily record a script to try and get your story out to my subs. do it however you like. happy to help where i can, have fun

[@CeeDeeLight]

Did the royal enfields have less problems in the sand because they were lighter?

[@travelwithevora]

This is mainly a skill issue 😇 some "royal enfields" had problems, some had no problems 🙂 In most cases it's the 'one' on top of the bike and not the bike 😂

[@esrider7765]

The BMW is a very heavy bike, the RE are much lighter and more forgiving.

[@brucecurtis6281]

Higher revs in sand.

[@esrider7765]

Not my type of riding at all. Lots of gravel and sand not good for me. Brave of you to try it at least. Especially the heat as well.

[@travelwithevora]

Well if I want to leave Europe at some point I should be able to ride on these kind of surfaces. :)

[@esrider7765]

@@travelwithevora millions of miles of paved roads out there.

[@travelwithevora]

@@esrider7765 I was in Bosnia Herzegovina and the paved road ended spontaneously, I was in Tunisia and the paved road ended spontaneously.. and these country's are not even that remote

[@esrider7765]

@@travelwithevora Maybe so, but no desire for those countries.

[@coobye]

A typical European ( and other countries ) mistake. Falling for the marketing hype and buying a bike that is too big for an inexperienced offroad rider. Most people have done it at some time. I can see a smaller bike in your future for more offroad exploring and an easier more enjoyable time doing it. I'm enjoying your videos though. Cheers from Australia.

[@travelwithevora]

Thanks 😊 yes it is possible that I change the bike some day

[@coobye]

@@travelwithevora A smaller bike will let you get to and enjoy a lot more "out of the way" places. Your journey will be much more fruitful for you. It's all a learning experience that we all have been through it and don't think you have reached your own limits. You will be surprised out how much better you are with more experience and the right bike. Cheers❤.

[@travelwithevora]

@@coobye I will leave Europe Next year and I guess I'll take a smaller bike and maybe less luggage.. but that will be considered during the Winter. A new bike must also be financed ;)

[@coobye]

@@travelwithevora By the way, I have an 1150 GSA but also have a fully set up Suzuki DR650. I love my 1150 and have owned it since 2003 but the DR is my go to bike when ever I want to do some off road "adventure" touring. It's not as comfortable but takes me places that I couldn't get to on a bigger bike. Finance is always a problem unfortunately but I'm positive it'll work out for you if you really want it too. Stay safe👍.

[@howardmann5634]

Gs ha ha ha dinosaur

[@travelwithevora]

😅 the earlier models were called cow in Germany..