Mostly desert, sparsely populated, and cut through by muddy rivers, the Pamir is not what we usually call “beautiful”. These mountains are better described as raw, imposing, remote - definitely massive. And there are probably better words than “holidays” to sum up the last four weeks. Fighting off food poisoning, fainting above 4,000 meters, and constantly being slowed down by diarrhea doesn’t exactly match my idea of a vacation. Gourmet cuisine and charming villages are not good reasons to come here. The Pamir is a tough and unique place, best appreciated by true fans of remote gas stations, ghost towns, and old Soviet cars.
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📸 #sonyalpha 7Cii + fe 28-60mm
Daniela had unfinished business on the Atlas Mountains, so we went back to where she left the AMR route and went all the way to Essaouira. Many thanks to @nelsontrees for making the track available and for scouting such epic trails. “Off the beaten track” has never been taken so seriously:) After hearing all the tales about Nelson’s ‘evil-genius,’ I was prepared for the worst and definitely overkilled it with 2.6” tyres. The terrain can be rocky or sandy, but the climbs are totally manageable, and small villages are never too far away. I was surprised to often find water fountains even in those desert areas.
Morocco will be remembered for its endless double tracks, majestic mountains, and some of the most beautiful souls we ever met.
First snow is falling, larches are turning yellow and fat marmots are going to sleep.
Last days riding sublime double tracks in Mercantour alps scouting the next campout adventure for @outerdetours
The Seven Cols are Izoard, Agnel, Sampeyre, Fauniera, Lombarde, Bonette and Vars. Seven legendary cols in the Western Alps between France and Italy, some of the highest paved roads in Europe, and still somewhat unknown to the crowds.
This epic loop is here available as a CampOut Supported Route, planned in a relaxed paced 5-days ride and 6-nights camps out in the mountains. At the end of the day, you’ll find the next campsite ready with pitched tents and a dining canopy with a freshly made healthy meal. Beers and cold drinks are on us!
Check the website for a nice gallery, the day-by-day itinerary and all the information.
I had a dream. All natural parks were closed to motor vehicles and only accessible on foot or by bike. No cars, no tourist buses, no quad tours, no jeep safaris… Timanfaya volcanoes, Jandía beaches, Anaga forests, and Teide lava fields were untamed, silent, and finally far from the masses. Just a few hikers and cyclists took the long climb to wander in the wild nature.
Then I woke up on Mt. Teide to find that our politicians had some more commercial dreams and decided to greenwash their dirty faces with some new cycling prohibitions. Apparently, one of the most beautiful double tracks of the archipelago is now forbidden to cyclists. On the same double track, hunters are still allowed to drive pickup trucks and shoot their rifles.
When I see a cycling prohibition, I am sure we are going exactly the opposite direction we should be headed! While the powerful ones are still allowed to build massive eco-hotels on the beach, the rest of us are not allowed to ride our bikes on public land.
The route remains unchanged, but now includes about 3 km of the most stupid hike-a-bike you’ve ever hiked.
