Hi,
Is there anyone else on here who is entered for the AMR in February?

I thought about it long and hard but with all the travel uncertainty I decided 2022 might be better. A few on here did it this year (lucky so and so’s)

I'm a bit surprised it's running.

Would love to do it again, but not in current climate.

Wanted to enter but as above didn't think it was right for a few hundred people to go into those villages/towns in the current climate. Plus the possibility of having to self isolate on return makes it a long holiday from work needed.

a few hundred people to go into those villages/towns in the current climate.

Unless the riders are quarantined before the race it does seem questionable? I expect they'd cancel if that was a risk and I can't see it not being a risk then.

Yeah I can see it being questionable...

Nether the less I've entered. There is back up dates set for October 2021.. I would probably guess it will get moved. But we shall see...


Any kit suggestions or tips from anyone who has done it?

Ledburyjosh wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:22 am Yeah I can see it being questionable...

Nether the less I've entered. There is back up dates set for October 2021.. I would probably guess it will get moved. But we shall see...


Any kit suggestions or tips from anyone who has done it?

Not done it but from what I've read I'd be taking a mtb not a gravel bike And the capacity to carry plenty water.

Any kit suggestions or tips from anyone who has done it?

Kind of.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.c ... -rich.html

Ledburyjosh wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:22 am Yeah I can see it being questionable...

Nether the less I've entered. There is back up dates set for October 2021.. I would probably guess it will get moved. But we shall see...


Any kit suggestions or tips from anyone who has done it?

Like the chap above says, deffo a hardtail/MTB route rather than a gravel bike one. I was on a Cutthroat and would have preferred my hatdtail.

Lots of Water is a good idea, I don't recall seeing anything "natural" that was worth the risk, even with a filter. Bring the filter and tabs for a village source though.

Food can be limited, not just in sources but variety. Theres a carrefour in Marakesh so stock up on on favourites. Of you find somewhere good, stock up!

The route was easy to follow on my wahoo, with occasional references to komoot 'for the bigger picture' on my phone.

Luckily for me GCSE French served me quote well.

Assuming the weather will be kind again my Lamina Spark and Hunka bivi bag were perfect.

I hope this reply doesn't get misinterpreted or seen as scaremongering.

I have been to Morocco 4 times. 2 of which were month long cycle trips in desert areas. Camping out most nights with an interest in wild living/bushcraft. See my trip report.

I saw some videos of the last race which showed riders riding/pushing through rocky desert terrain at night time.

If I wanted to find a puff adder (to eat), this is the perfect terrain and time.

Goog - puff adder Morocco - videos.

More I can say but I think I will be shot down.

I'm glad I didn't learn about the Puff Adders until now.

Rasta wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:30 pm
More I can say but I think I will be shot down.

By all means say more - this is the perfect place. I remember your trip report being a good read.

I entered, but wasn't successful, i don't think my cycling CV was strong enough, but i used to take people on 5 week trips round Morocco and 3 months down into West Africa, so know the area well.

As to snakes above, i remember rock climbing in Todra Gorge in the Atlas, pulled myself up so my eyes were level with a ledge, only to find a snake basking on the ledge and looking right at me, it is was then a combination of moving as fast as i could without falling.. i think my buttocks unclenched about a week later.

Scorpions always used to like under your tent as well, so always had to warn people to shake their boots first!

So that's another stat I need to consider before the 2022 event:

- how many metres of climbing
- possible food and water stops
- terrain difficulty etc
- riders lost to snakebites and scorpion stings.......

I kind of hope that these are seasonal problems - less of an issue in Feb than in July....?

slarge wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:26 pm So that's another stat I need to consider before the 2022 event:

- how many metres of climbing
- possible food and water stops
- terrain difficulty etc
- riders lost to snakebites and scorpion stings.......

I kind of hope that these are seasonal problems - less of an issue in Feb than in July....?

I bivvied with an Israeli chap, he said it was the right time of year as the relative cold would keep the nasties at bay. I certainly didn't see anything bitey/stingy/slithery while I was there.

On a general note, my write up on the AMR:

https://originaladventure.cc/my-atlas-mountain-race/

I was offered a place and really would love to do it, but I just couldn't justify it given the current circumstances. I've told Nelson I will reapply next year.

I did it this year and found it easier than other races I've done, it's the first time I've managed to average over 200km a day.
I had the opportunity for water & food at least once a day, as long as you wanted omeletts!!!
Hardtail mtb with tubeless set up is the right choice for sure and I was plenty warm enough in a bivy with 250 qulit.

Maybe 2022. I've taken a risk and entered a gravel race in the US in March and that is a big enough risk. Morocco in Feb is just a bit too soon for me.

johnnystorm wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:00 pm
On a general note, my write up on the AMR:

https://originaladventure.cc/my-atlas-mountain-race/

I enjoyed reading that, thanks. Would you take the same bike again?

Scud wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:07 pm I entered, but wasn't successful, i don't think my cycling CV was strong enough,

I didn’t realise there were entry criteria, what sort of thing do they require/look for? Presumably a TD finish would be desirable?

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:58 pm I'm a bit surprised it's running.

Ermmm....

shutuplegs wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:03 pm

johnnystorm wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:00 pm
On a general note, my write up on the AMR:

https://originaladventure.cc/my-atlas-mountain-race/

I enjoyed reading that, thanks. Would you take the same bike again?

Nope, I'd take my Ti hardtail instead.

Far too many rubble strewn climbs that are awful on relatively narrow drop bars.

Ermmm....

What Nige?

jameso wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:02 am

a few hundred people to go into those villages/towns in the current climate.

Unless the riders are quarantined before the race it does seem questionable? I expect they'd cancel if that was a risk and I can't see it not being a risk then.

I'd agree. More responsible IMO to stay local

I guess there are a lot of event organisers hoping that the pandemic will subside, vaccines will be available etc. The feeling seems to be "plan now, don't be surprised if we have to cancel later".