Entry 7: Tangier, Morocco

I have arrived to the Kingdom of Morocco on the African Continent, the fourth continent that my bike and I have seen together.  I will be spending time in Tangiers for a couple of days before I head down the coast to Casablanca and points further south.  The country itself is predominately Arabic and Sunni Muslim (95%), but clearly a much more relaxed society than the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the hub of the Sunni religion. The dress code here is not near as strict as Saudi, with females working, both in and out of Abaya and Hajib. All in all, the people have been warm and receiving, even more so once they learn I am from the US.  Moroccans seem to possess allot of national pride, and we were the first country to recognize their break from France as a territory, and establish themselves as a country in their own right, I guess there is some gratitude remianing.  

Drove the coastline and saw thousands of people at the beach, but not one surfboard, kite surfer, or other ocean toy that we are so fond of in the US and Europe.  Tangiers seems to have some money, I rode past quite a few palatial estates located on the cliffs over looking the Atlantic.  The cost of living here is rather cheap, with most everything costing about a third of what it would cost in the western world.

Stage Distance: 4 mi

Total Trip Distance: 1,683 mi
Total Odometer Distance: 2,430 mi

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Morocco
Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 6: Tarifa, Spain

Rolled into Tarifa, Spain.  The City has come a long way in the past 15 years.  I was in Spain for work back in 2002, and had the opportunity to stop by Tarifa. Back then it was a much smaller sleepier town with a near vacant beach, and what few beach goers there were, were hiding behind make shift walls from the wind.  Now, since kite surfing has become popular, there are hundreds of kite surfers, wanna be kite surfers, and never will be kite surfers littered across the beaches.  The kite surfing boom has brought in hipster millennials, and the infrastructure required to support them.  I must admit, the place looks like allot more fun now.  

Spain, Looking Out on Africa

One Small Section of Kite Surfer Beach

Stage Distance: 72 mi

Total Trip Distance: 1,679 mi
Total Odometer Distance: 2,410 mi

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain
Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 5: Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz is another beachfront community that City dwellers use to escape the heat of summer.  I had previously been in Cadiz about 15 years ago, back when I was doing work in Madrid and Seville.  The roadway infrastructure has been built up considerably since then, with small two-way roads making way for large 6 lane (three in either direction) major highways.  The beaches here, even though off peak season, were quite packed with people fighting for towel space.  I have spent quite a bit of time in Spain, I truly love this country and its people, but I would pass on Cadiz in the future.



After all my years of riding, I had a first today.  I took a bird to the helmet at 75 mph.  The bird was roughly the size of a Blue Jay and hit where the top of my face shield joins my helmet.  The damage to the bird was devastating, the injuries to myself were limited to ringing in my ears resulting from the tremendous whack of the bird strike.  I am afraid to think of the injuries that would of occurred if I were not wearing my helmet, and even more so, the very possible accident that would of resulted.

It is time to replace the front tire (almost 20,000 miles on a Heidenau K60 Scout) and then head off to Morocco.

Stage Distance:   204 mi

Total Trip Distance: 1,607 mi
Total Odometer Distance: 2,290 mi

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain
Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 4: Porches, Portugal

Porches is a beautiful little seaside community up the coast from a much less attractive beachfront tourist town.  The coast line in this part of Portugal is absolutely stunning, with natural rock outcroppings and natural bridges abound. The road layout inhibits the casual driver, which in turn leaves the areas private and serene.  There are a couple of high end resorts tucked away in this area, but not enough to spoil the ambiance.  All in all, an area Conde Naste would have no regrets to put on their cover.

Most everything in Portugal is very reasonably priced, food, lodging, etc. The one exception is anything to do with the roadway system.  The drive to Porches was almost $25 USD from Lisbon to about 20km north of my destination in tolls alone, and no break for a motorcycle.  Gas in Portugal is over $6 USD a gallon. Not to bad for a motorcycle, but purchasing gas for my SUV would be annoying.


Off to Cadiz after this stay.

Stage Distance:   164 mi

Total Distance: 1,403 mi
Total Odometer Distance: 2,050 mi

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA, Canada, Portugal
Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 3: Lisbon, Portugal

This is my first time to Portugal, so I am looking forward to it. Lisbon is a very beautiful city with very friendly people, which is unusual for a large metropolitan city.  The typical conversation starts with their greeting in Portuguese, I respond in Spanish, and they break into perfect English, which I have found out that the vast majority of inhabitants speak fluently.   The City has been going through a heat wave as of late, with temperatures in the upper 90's when they are normally in the upper 70's.

The bike has cleared customs, and I have it in my possession now.  Looking forward to getting back on and heading down the coast to southern Portugal. There is supposed to be some gorgeous beaches and shorelines.  

Not The Golden Gate Bridge

    

Stage Distance: 0 mi

Total Distance: 1,239 mi

Countries Visited Since Start: USA, Canada, Portugal

North, Central & South America Blog:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 2: North Carolina, USA to Niagara Falls, CAN to Toronto, CAN

The ride up to Niagara Falls was uneventful.  Ran into some pretty serious storms, and the new Jacket and pants worked admirably.  Arrived in Niagara late afternoon, walked down to the falls, checked them out.  I soon head up to Toronto to drop the bike off at the cargo building, tour Toronto a bit, and fly over to Europe.  The "get ready" part of the trip almost done.  

Stage Distance: 635 mi

Total Distance: 1,239 mi

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA, Canada
Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com

Entry 1: Florida, USA to North Carolina, USA

This entry is the first entry for the final leg of my of my six continent journey (the blog for the first leg is https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com).  This leg will take me though Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Unlike leg 1, this leg will not have a daily entry, rather an entry when the urge comes over me.  As always, I am writing this blog so that I can have the memories of my trip (I recently reread Leg 1 and I must admit it brought bake some very good memories), and you are welcome to come along if you like.  

Tavares, FL

Blue Ridge Parkway

Daytona Beach, FL

Riding and Hiking the Carolinas

Starting Odometer: 39,850

Stage Distance: 604

Total Distance: 604

Countries Visited (Leg 2): USA

Leg 1:  https://dualsportamericas.blogspot.com