Scram Africa 2019
Writing by Karles Vives (founder of Fuel Motorcycles) // Photos by Gotz Goppert
For the first time, Scram Africa has had two rounds. The first from the 4th to 11th and the second round from the 11th to 18th of May. In total, there were 35 riders from all over the world, (Europe, Canada, USA, Costa Rica, Republica Dominicana, etc..) with all kinds of motorcycles; Triumph Scramblers, Royal Enfields, Ducati Scramblers, BMW, customized Harleys, and even a sidecar. They all performed great and thanks to our mechanic and the medical team, almost all the bikes and riders made it to the end of the trip.
The trip started in Marrakech and the first stage ended at Zagora, the gateway of the Sahara Desert. From there, the next 3 days were spent crossing the Sahara Desert, riding near the Argelia border and passing by the small villages of Tafraoute, Merzouga, and Alnif at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The incredible landscapes and tracks where the sand rivers and the high temperatures meet, make these stages the most difficult part of the trip.
We leave the desert behind and head towards Marrakesh through the Atlas passing by several mountain passes at more than 3.000 meters high. The contrast in temperature and landscapes were shocking, but this makes the country so attractive.
The tracks were difficult and very challenging for heavy bikes in some parts as the Triumph, Ducati, and Harley, but this is what Scram Africa is all about. A unique adventure where the point is to ride off-road tracks with non-proper bikes.
Each day we start the stage early morning together after a short briefing. We give every rider a bag with food and water for the whole day, so they can go at their own rhythm and make stops wherever they want. Thanks to a digital roadbook, they always know the route and the direction to take in case you get lost.
The staff follows behind by 4x4 vehicles in case you need any medical or mechanical help. This is then accompanied by a truck with everyone's luggage for the end of each stage.
After some days the riders start to experience some fatigue from the passage of kilometers, heat, and effort of riding through broken roads, stone, and sand. Some riders have fallen and the doctors have had to intervene but nothing serious. Same goes for the bikes. Some broken shocks, footpegs, tanks, wheels, burned electrical cables, even a broken clutch. Luckily most of them could continue to ride thanks to the skills of the mechanics and help from the locals.
But even with the difficulties, the Scram Africa offered priceless moments like drinking a cold beer in the middle of the star lit desert or sleeping in a "Haima", tents for the nomads of the desert, with only the sound of camels hanging around.
Scram Africa is a very unique motorcycle experience with unforgettable memories that will remain in your heart and soul… In fact, most riders just finishing the last stage were already thinking about how to plan for the next Scram Africa in 2020!
