Cycle Morocco's Great South

Traveler Reviews

• LB

  Luzeni5.0•November 2019
  Excellent tour. We had the opportunity to see the beauty of the country and its people.
  Traveled in November 2019
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  John5.0•November 2013
  This was my first ever group trip so i was nervous about almost every aspect of the whole event. Would anyone speak...
  This was my first ever group trip so i was nervous about almost every aspect of the whole event. Would anyone speak to me?, would I be the worse cyclist?, would the meal times be awkard?, would the accommodation live up to expectations? There was no need to worry! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? When on a 22Klm climb a few inspirational moments pass by. Was it the fox, the views, the hairpin bends, the quiet? Probably all of them and many more. But mainly it was simply being there and doing it. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader was Andy. His passion for the location and his love of cycling helped to make him a great leader. He also was always ready to go that extra step to ensure that we all had plenty to do and nothing to worry about.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? There is plenty of advice about bringing torches, ear bungs, currency etc to be found on the site. However, none of this is of any use unless you actually GO. So the advice would simply be, if you're an OK cyclist, have a taste for a little adventure; just book it. Is there anything else you would like to add? There is a romantic appeal about Morocco that must come from old movies and story books. Much of this comes from the the city of Marrakech. However, all the locations we stopped at had their own charm, and all were worthy of a little more time there. My particular favourite was Essaouira - even though the ice-cream parlour had sold out.Show more
  Traveled in October 2013
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  James5.0•April 2013
  A great trip taking in some fantastic and ever changing scenery along largely very quiet roads. Not only do you get...
  A great trip taking in some fantastic and ever changing scenery along largely very quiet roads. Not only do you get to experience the hustle and bustle of Marrakech's bazaars but you get to cycle the through towns and villages that few tourists ever see. A great leader and a great group. Jim (Exodus Sales Manager) What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Riding What did you think of your group leader? A great leader Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go for it! Is there anything else you would like to add? Nope!Show more
  Traveled in March 2013
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  Simon5.0•March 2012
  A great chance to see spectacular mountain and coastal landscapes, away from the crowds of the big towns, and...
  A great chance to see spectacular mountain and coastal landscapes, away from the crowds of the big towns, and generally on quiet roads with little traffic apart from the occasional donkey!The trip gave us a good taster for Morocco, and left us wanting to come back again to discover more of the country. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? We had the chance to talk to members of a womens' cooperative near Essaouira, who were producing products from Argan oil.  This provided them with a level of independence unusual in the traditionally male dominated Moroccan society. What did you think of your group leader? Andy, our leader, made sure that at all times, all members of the group were ok, and quickly sorted out any issues relating to bikes or accommodation.   Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This was my second trip with Exodus, and both times my expectations have been exceeded-if you have not used Exodus before, do so soon-you will have a great time, and many memories to treasure. Is there anything else you would like to add? This was a great way to discover a new country, enjoy a week of sunshine in the middle of the British winter, and get a bit fitter too! (not to mention the sheer pleasure of that final dismount after a long day in the saddle!)Show more
  Traveled in February 2012
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  Sarah4.0•February 2012
  First time to Morocco and what a fabulous way to expeirence this beautiful country. The Mountains (Atlas and...
  First time to Morocco and what a fabulous way to expeirence this beautiful country. The Mountains (Atlas and anit-Atlas) are breathtaking in more ways that one and it was a real treat to be able to ride up them and down them for a week! A really tough ride for me personally - so many relentless climbs but great to get really fit to prepare for it What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Mountains and panoramic views were the memory I will keep with me for a lifetime What did you think of your group leader? Andy McKee was a very effiicent, friendly and capable leader. He ensured everyone was looked after and acted as an excellent motivation to get us all up the hills. Well done Andy! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes! If you are going on the February trip prepare to be cold ! I needed fingered gloves, body warmers, ear covers, neck covers and full length warm leggings are essential. Its cold in the mountains and some mornings we were riding over frozen puddles which can illustrate the starting out temperature. Also the hotel on Day 2 has no heating at all so ensure you have hats and gloves and a warm coat for that one. Hotels after Day 2 improve immensley, including a palace and the most stunning central hotel in Essouria. Also be prepared for lack of alcohol (most nights this is not available at all) and very healthy eating - fantastic way to get fit! Is there anything else you would like to add? Mountain roads are about 80% ok with tarmac but some stretches are very gravelly and badly maintianed. I was considering taking my carbon fibre road bike and was not advised against this when speaking to the UK office but it would have been snapped on the first day if I had taken it. Glad I didnt. I would really recommend this trip if you want to see the best of Morocco.Show more
  Traveled in January 2012
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  Paul4.0•November 2011
  Beautiful Atlas mountain scenary. Hard cycling ascents rewarded with exhilarating descents. Comfortable Riads....
  Beautiful Atlas mountain scenary. Hard cycling ascents rewarded with exhilarating descents. Comfortable Riads. Tajine. Tajine. Tajine. Beer. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Day three and an ascent up to Tizi n'Test Pass at 2100m. A seemingly never-ending series of switchback climbs to our goal. Hard work at the challenging end of the 'moderate to challenging' trip tag. It was worth it though, views over the anti-atlas mountains and across a stunning decent that literally went on for miles with barely a car in sight. All topped off by an evening in a luxourious Riad complete with swimming pool and peacocks. What did you think of your group leader? The group leader, Richard, was a key part of the success of the trip. He clearly identified goals for each stage of the cycle and personally ensured that eveyone excelled their expectations as to how hard they could push themselves cycling enjoyably.  This ensured everyone could get through the trip and that the group remained cohesive. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't put your inside peddle down when you go around a fast corner. What goes down must go up. Taking your own cleats for the bikes certainly helps.    Is there anything else you would like to add? There can't be a more fun way to see the mountains than on a bike. It was a lot less scary on the bikes than in the support vans!Show more
  Traveled in October 2011
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  Robert5.0•November 2011
  I was going to give this trip 4 stars but to be honest I couldn't think of any reason why it doesn't deserve 5 stars...
  I was going to give this trip 4 stars but to be honest I couldn't think of any reason why it doesn't deserve 5 stars as it was an amazing holiday. This was my first holiday of this type and it really was ace, I was lucky enough to be there with 7 other guests that were pretty awesome, we all got on pretty well and had a bit of friendly banter between us all. I basiically put this down as a holiday of a lifetime and I will be doing more exodus trips based on how much fun I had on this one. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? On day 2 we had a 26 kilometer climb followed by a 30 kilometer decent, tbh I was a bit worried about the climb as I had never done anything like that before, I didn't need to be worried, the way I felt standing next to the tizi n test pass sign is unexplainable, a true highlight of my life so far, and the realization that I am cabable of that was off the chart. This is just one inspirational moment, there were lots. :) What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader, Ritchie was ace, he loves cycling and bikes so this wasn't just a job to him, he was very passionate about cycling, would spend his lunch breaks doing running repairs to keep the bikes in ship shape condition. He was also very good at inspiring you to get the best out of yourself, if you were happy taking in the scenery, he would leave you to it but if you like to push yourself out of your comfort zone and work on your technique and fitness he would see this and give you endless hints and tips and get you to challenge yourself. he even had a few of us having a little drafting race with each other that left us all buzzing like never before :) I would also like to add that we met the atlas decent leader Liz one night and her enthusiasm matched Ritchie's, it is very clear these guys just love what they do. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I would say just do it. I took my own shoes and pedals but don't feel this is necessary, it was my personal preference but plenty of people did it with trainers just the same. There's not to much I can say about the required fitness for the trip, it is a cycling holiday after all but peice of mind can be had with the knowledge that you can sit in a backup vehicle any time, but, and this is a big but, the fitter you are then you are more likely to get to the checkpoint first which gives you the first choice of the ace Moroccan chocolate bars. Is there anything else you would like to add? I agree with the other reviews about making Essauira the rest day, this is an intriguing walled city with alot of character, it's a bit off the standard tourist trail so it's a more unusual place to say you have stayed. (I loved the hotel here) It also has great waves and loads of watersports available at local hire, a couple of us did some body boarding there. I have to mention the 2 back up vehicle drivers, those guys were great, they were responsible for lunch, which was very tasty. They would also go out of there way to help you any way they could, from helping with bags to topping up water bottles. They both deserve alot more credit than I can put into words.Show more
  Traveled in October 2011
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  Michelle4.0•November 2011
  A well organised and enjoyable trip for cyclists with a good base level of fitness. What was the most inspirational...
  A well organised and enjoyable trip for cyclists with a good base level of fitness. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Some of the descents were awesome, but I also enjoyed the challenge of some of the climbs and the sense of achievement What did you think of your group leader? I thought Richie was a very good group leader - he was very professional and took things like health and safety and bike maintenance seriously but at the same time he was good fun and always upbeat and encouraging.    He had good local knowledge and was always keen to share tips to help the group improve their cycling.   He was very organised so we always knew exactly what was happening each day, what time we had to meet and where etc so the trip ran very smoothly. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It’s a holiday and not the Tour de France, but you definitely do need a good base level of fitness to complete this trip as there are several climbs.  Being confident that you can control a bike is also important as there are some fast descents with sharp corners. You don't have to be an expert cyclist to enjoy this trip but for your own enjoyment and that of others on the trip I would definitely advise doing some training for this trip and make sure you are realistically fit enough to cycle 70km per day for 6 days otherwise you might struggle or hold other people in the group back. Overall I would say the trip is most suitable for intermediate level cyclists, ie those who cycle a bit at home but are not too serious about it.  I think beginners might struggle (unless they are very fit and confident, in which case they would be ok) and advanced cyclists might find the pace of the group too slow (although they could still enjoy the trip as a relaxing way to explore a new country)  Take some warm clothes as its cold in the mountains, especially at night. If you want to read at night, take a torch as most of the hotels you stay in don't have very powerful lights and its hard to read. The hotel in Marrakech is quite noisy so take ear plugs! Is there anything else you would like to add? The free day (ie day off cycling) should be spent in Essaouira not Marrakech, because it is a much more relaxing place than Marrakech and also there is the beach which people can relax on if the weather is good or go surfing or do other water sports.   People will probably have time to explore Marrakech a bit on their arrival or departure day. Exodus should definitely have the free day in Essaouira.Show more
  Traveled in October 2011
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  Justin4.0•November 2011
  Overrall a well run and efficiently organised trip. Experience of cycling and/or good level of fitness is a must as...
  Overrall a well run and efficiently organised trip. Experience of cycling and/or good level of fitness is a must as some of the climbs and descents ar not or the faint hearted What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? On the fourth day of cycling when thinking there was no gas left in the tank by mid afternnon  being encouraged by the leader to carry on and experience what was further on up the road on bike rather than in support vehicle. Gave greater sense of achievement once finished What did you think of your group leader? Excellent leader. Organised, efficient and didnt bulls**t you if there were changes to plan. Always kept group informed and provided the encouragement to keep going when necessary. Ensured health and safety adhered to by all and  definitely made trip more enjoyable.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Dont go unless you have a decent standard of fitness for your own enjoyment's sake and that of the group. It would help to have some bike experience too Is there anything else you would like to add? The 'free day' should be spent in Essouira and not Maarrakech. It is infinitely better place to relax and wander around than Marrakech. The beach is nearby and its an added bonus of course. To make the trip more attractive this has to be considered by Exodus planners .Show more
  Traveled in October 2011
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  James5.0•April 2013
  A great trip taking in some fantastic and ever changing scenery along largely very quiet roads. Not only do you get...
  A great trip taking in some fantastic and ever changing scenery along largely very quiet roads. Not only do you get to experience the hustle and bustle of Marrakech's bazaars but you get to cycle the through towns and villages that few tourists ever see. A great leader and a great group. Jim (Exodus Sales Manager)Show more
  Traveled in March 2013