Devon TRF Group Forum

crumbles · Expert

Two bloke's,Two T 7's Overland too Africa..

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Sounds like quite a trip Mike, take loads of pictures keep a journal and tell us all about it when you get back News letter, month meeting, Trail magazine etc.

Just out of interest for me, what tyres are you using.

Hope it all goes ok

Trevor

crumbles · Expert

Motoz Tractionator Adv..
Was going too be Dunlop trailmax Adv.but none my size in the country till April

Trevor Foxon · Expert

crumbles wrote:
Motoz Tractionator Adv..
Was going too be Dunlop trailmax Adv.but none my size in the country till April

Cheers

wackyracer · Elite

Take it easy Mike, enjoy mate, good to see ya Friday smile

Safe and wonderful journey smile

crumbles · Expert

Kwaka Geoff · Clubman A

Awesome. Looking forward to hearing all about this adventure, and how the T7 fairs having recently bought one myself.
All the best and safe riding to you and your fellow rider.

crumbles · Expert

In a pub outside the port...

Kwaka Geoff · Clubman A

Mike, please check your PM

crumbles · Expert

Kwaka Geoff wrote:
Mike, please check your PM

Replied too..

crumbles · Expert

Well it has been a few uneventful full days.
Off the boat Wednesday morning at Santander and away we went over the mountains on our way down,temp went down to a minus I would think as it stopped measuring.
Not chuffing warm either but bearable..a few spots of rain but nowt else..
M-way across Spain in a direct,ish route at a steady 70,ish...Nice hotel found for the night...
Thursday,a shall we get too Algeciras port day..yep we will as we have made good progress at the port ticket touts dismissed and too the port authority building..bought tickets,Tangier Med,boat leaves at 13.30...line up behind said boat with the rest off them,then at 13.30..we are moved too another boat leaves at 15.00 hrs...!!
Bikes strapped down and when we return too get off they have moved.....
We are chomping too get off first but a wheelchair and 2 blokes beat us too it..anyways straight forward exit in too Morroco 30 minutes or so for customs and such like..
My friend has the plotted route and I stick too him..
Overnight a whoolie gale stricks up and not looking good in the morning but abates for 9am start..head in land road work but two off road tracks for good measure..
Now in an Auberge near Arzou for the night..
T7 is good too ride,stock seat with a cool cover over it..
Puig slightly taller screen
Tyres are Motoz Adventure Tractionator, holding good but a bit slippery, noisy aswell..

-- Edited by crumbles on Friday 17th of February 2023 07:49:02 PM

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Thanks for posting Mike, sounds like the adventure has just begun. Itchy Boots from You tube frame is in North Africa at the moment, say hello if you see her biggrin

crumbles · Expert

Yea I know,saw it posted up,she travelled the same route across as us and we don't think she was too far away..its a big place but you never know..
She stayed at Hotel Lomo..

Prices are on a par with UK now aswell

Carrefour is Tesco pricing..not cheap..

-- Edited by crumbles on Saturday 18th of February 2023 06:45:09 AM

crumbles · Expert

Devon Green lanes it's not....!!!
Satnav shows it as an unpaved road...!!!

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Welcome to Mars!

Have you got the place to your self.

crumbles · Expert

You would think so...but...
People just pop up from nowhere..
Or..i
U see a person.you look around and there is not a village or house too be seen ...!

crumbles · Expert

From a gravel track too a brand new dual carriage way...

they are road building all over the place.we even saw a Motorway style bridge being built in the arid desert.just too cross a river,normally its the concrete scrape they use and river flows over it..

-- Edited by crumbles on Monday 20th of February 2023 06:28:10 PM

-- Edited by crumbles on Monday 20th of February 2023 06:29:48 PM

-- Edited by crumbles on Monday 20th of February 2023 06:31:36 PM

Trevor Foxon · Expert

The weather looks great Mike, where are you now.

Where are you staying in the evening, is it easy to find.

Do they sell beer or are you having to make do with hubba bubba pipes.

so many questions......

looks a great trip.

Trevor

russell11031967 · Devon's Best

crumbles wrote:

You criticised us for drinking , and now you post this!!!!!

crumbles · Expert

The trip has ended abruptly...
Basically I have a blood hemorrhage on the brain
And fractured vertebrae,
All from lifting the bike the correct way with your back too it,..went too take a picture bike fell over..
Yes I did unload the luggage..
Back cracked or banged,I fell too my hands and knees unable too move,other ppl picked it up,I was on the N1 Laayoune bound.
Got just outside, stopped by a police check and realised I was shaking with pain.they got me off the bike and called an ambulance..
Been in there ever since...Tuesday 21st..morning time.

I have another brain scan tonight too make sure I am fit too be repatriated by plane too a UK hospital..

The Morrocan ppl are soo kind too me,getting me food/water,and top up on the phone..this one does not feed or water u..your parents/siblings do..don't know if its the same elsewhere..

I CANT REITERATE ENOUGH HOW MUCH YOU NEED A GOOD INSURANCE PROVIDER..even if it is expensive as it is in my case but glad I did get all the bells and whistles..
Apparently they will fly the bike home too...

Home Thursday hopefully.

crumbles · Expert

When you can't stand and need two blokes too hold you up so you can pee into a waterbottle. Think Evian bottle..!! Type..
All dignity is lost as its a mixed ward and ppl just wander in and day and night..
And passed...

Pete · Expert

Oh dear, sad to hear it was such a short trip.
I had been looking forward to being kept up to date with your wanderings during my convalescance. Know how important help is when you can't do anything.
Glad your insurance means that isn't another worry on top. I would have had to abandon my bike in France once but for the recovery clause.
Hope your recovery is swift

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Flipping heck Mike, what a disaster. At least you are getting some proper treatment and the locals are looking after you.

Mike, if there is anything we as a group, or I as an individual can do to help, please ask.

Keep us updated with your progress.

Trevor

crumbles · Expert

Cheers Trevor,I will need two strong chaps at least 3 times a day for pee duty....cake will be supplied...lol..

Cat patrol.
Nobody bats an eyelid..

wackyracer · Elite

"Pussy on Tap" wink biggrin

Bloody hell Mike you don't do things by half......Gutted for ya, as Trevor said anything we can do just shout, I'm not into holding willies though

Good example of full insurance needs, bet your glad you done that one!

Get well soon chap smile

delvey91 · Devon's Best

Sorry to Hear Mike. Gutted for you as sounded as if it was going to be an amazing trip! Hope you get sorted fast and back to the UK. Best of luck

Schoe000 · Expert

Only just picked up this thread, shocked at what has happened. I hope all from here on, goes better and goes well. Keep safe and get well soon.

-- Edited by Schoe000 on Friday 24th of February 2023 08:01:43 AM

youaintseenme · Clubman B

Bloody hell Mike, its a massive setback for you. And a good decision to have got the medical /medivac insurance in place.

I recall listening to Sam Manicoms adventures and setbacks and came to the conclusion that it is not possible to prepare for every eventuality and in the end you had to simply trust that things would sort themselves.

Hopefully you get back to Blighty soon and can relax a bit more and look forward to those bigger jars, for weeing into whilst laying down.

And lifting a bike, whether its a fully laden adventure bike or a 250 deep in a Welsh bog is always going to bring the risk of a back injury.

Get well soon and make it a full recovery including adventure riding !

John Leah · Clubman A

Mike, so very sorry to hear this and I sincerely hope you get home safely, make a full recovery and in time are able to restart the adventure.

As Noel said, it really doesn't take much to injure a back. One morning, while getting ready for the ride to work, I bent down to zip up my boots and the next I know I'm on the floor looking up at a very confused and concerned wife. I'd pulled something in my back and was off work for four months.

Proper cast iron medical/repatriation insurance is essential when travelling anywhere abroad so I'm glad that you are well covered.

Get well soon.

Cheers,
John

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Has anyone heard any update on Mikes plight.

wackyracer · Elite

smile in contact via FB and offering our help to a fellow trail rider of the Devon group

always there for us on lane clearing duties

the following text is from Jo

The most stressful 5 days of my life. My dad left for Morocco on his bike, but is medevac back home. He has a fractured back, and small bleed on the brain.

What we didn't know was that the law in Morroco, states if you enter with a bike you must leave with that bike. Even if you have been in an accident and unable to stand.

But this was hard as dad was travelling alone.

There was little pain relief, and little care, and very aggressive police.

But after asking for help through Facebook, someone came to help him, Yazid Sedki EL Idrissi we can't thank you enough for everything you have done to help dad sort his bike, we wouldn't have got him out if it wasn't for you, and thank you to your wife for cooking for him.

There has been alot of calls to the insurance and embassy, day and night, and alot of stress and tears!

So a huge sigh of relief that his plane is now in the air and on his way home to Exeter.

Thanks Phil Ramsden again you have been my rock!

Trevor Foxon · Expert

This is good news of sorts, keep us updated if you can Ian

wackyracer · Elite

Mikes back in Blighty & currently in Exeter hospital having scans & X rays..

We wished him well smile

crumbles · Expert

both retired but doing two week rotation as and when required...citation type jet..

Hoo and Yazid has a friend who now has the bike in a locked garage for my collection when I return...I have been granted till the 27th August too remove from the country...
It has been a very very emotional time for all concerned,..( it still is )...........SO I SAY AGIAN..GET THE BLOODY INSURANCE SORTED OUT....
Mike...
An update..
Just been informed,although my back has a fracture it appears stable and after a week in hospital for observations I can go home for the weekend...
I thank the Good old NHS for there work and care for me..

crumbles · Expert

There's more but can't paste the text over it looks like..

wackyracer · Elite

Thats good news Mike smile

Speedy recovery mate and glad that bike is secure with plenty of time to return to collect

Thanks for the update

Wacky

Mike Wright · Clubman A

Sorry to read of your misfortune and wishing you a speedy recovery back to 100% health. Glad you are back safely and everyone looked after you when you really needed it which shows there are some great people out there.

crumbles · Expert

An update from my RD&E Hospital Devon..........................................This is the missing part from above posting...

From the start there was allot off miss communication which materialised later in the week ending in a cancelled flight home at 04.30 hrs on Saturday morning on due date departure..( 05.00 was the cut off time.)... Maroc Customs block it...because of the Bike...
Because off where I was ( unable too walk ) and phone signal my daughter Jo & her partner Phil dealt with all off it..( in Uk )..which was easier as a focal point and some who could remember stuff..
But a message onto a Facebook group dealing with North and West Africa overlanding group,( I am a member) for help was a turning point..
( Ringing the British Embassy a waste off time,after 16.30 they go home weekend,don't even bother)

Customs was a big stumbling block..you imported it so you take it out with you.....!!! Accident not our problem.....
Insurance company we now belive had not a clue but kept reassuring us all OK.. it was not..

In steps the overlanding group..!
After 3 steps off people saying this person's name passing me onto another down the line I finally reach Yazid Sedki El Idrissi a Laayoune bike rider and part off the biking group in the town who knows allot of people.( his wife happens to work in customs too !!! )

So the Saturday 25th was a lot off organising day between him,daughter, insurance company,Medical team Customs,police.i was unaware at the time as most off it was kept from me...
Paper work was sorted money paid,cash too the hospital.bike transport from police pound cash again.
Bike and luggage now at the hospital,Saturday late afternoon,Yazid took some photos and all appears OK...even my Montana 700i still there...

Sunday.
Planes on its way from Munich...Flightrader24 shows it has left and arrival time..
Morphine administered and onto the plane in an air bag type stretcher..did I want more...!!! Er no...
Off we go then 4 1/2 ltr into Exeter airport,Blue light into hospital.now on another hospital bed........
Scans and more scans taken but no results yet...as off Monday 27th...

On a side note I casually ask the crew are you home tonight..No..
We are off to the canarys Monday for a pick-up too go to Norway......!!!
Two crew...one Anaesthetist and a Doctor.. both retired but doing two week rotation as and when required...citation type jet..

Hoo and Yazid has a friend who now has the bike in a locked garage for my collection when I return...I have been granted till the 27th August too remove from the country...
It has been a very very emotional time for all concerned,..( it still is )...........SO I SAY AGIAN..GET THE BLOODY INSURANCE SORTED OUT....
Mike...
An update..
Just been informed,although my back has a fracture it appears stable and after a week in hospital for observations I can go home for the weekend...
I thank the Good old NHS for there work and care for me.....

-- Edited by crumbles on Tuesday 28th of February 2023 11:09:11 AM

RichT4 · Champion

Hope you recover quickly Crumbles.

What happened to the other bloke on this trip?

Pete · Expert

Not quite the adventure you were hoping for but an epic nonetheless.
Never been a Facebook fan myself but it certainly turned up trumps for you.
The people who are quick to criticise the NHS and label it broken probably haven't been at the mercy of the Moroccan version.
Glad to hear you made it home to Devon, and even better home by the weekend.

crumbles · Expert

I home now and recuperating.
Many thanks for the get well message's.

Just too reiterate again ...make sure your
HEALTH INSURANCE IS ADEQUATE..
Last photo is of L2R
sister of Nadjlae
Nadjlae my Nurse who looked after my well being,speaking very good English.
Yazid,a M/cycle club rider,who was a saviour,in knowing people too get things up and running,liaising with Jo my daughter,medical team,customs and police,and storage off the bike..

crumbles · Expert

If you ever get too Laayoune, seek this person out onF/book..

crumbles · Expert

An update.
I am currently in Gran Canaria Airport,with several hours too kill.before flying into Laayoune too collect my bike too ride home.
I am in not too much hurry and will leave either
Sunday or monday..
A progress on my health,
It's not been a speedy recovery.
I have just started back part time working ( a few hours at a time ).,being a gardener its all back work so am very careful in what I do but needless too say I won't be doing as much as before..
The ride home will be leisurely and have my back brace packed just incase...

cee-b · Clubman A

Good that you're fit enough to go and recover the bike Mike; take it easy and I hope yopu get to enjoy the trip home.

Trevor Foxon · Expert

that's great news Mike, hope you have a steady and uneventful trip home.

Did you remember the keys biggrin

-- Edited by Trevor Foxon on Wednesday 14th of June 2023 02:51:02 PM

crumbles · Expert

Yes too the keys....made sure they were packed..
Driving licence in my wallet sat in the kitchen..
Hmm...
Will a photo sent via wattsap be sufficient...

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Never mind your licence what about your wallet.

crumbles · Expert

Trevor Foxon wrote:
Never mind your licence what about your wallet.

I take multiple wallets.....

crumbles · Expert

Too conclude this sorry episode in my life...
It was a chuffing nightmare..!!!
Ryanair from Bristol..too Gran Canaria..1 bloke whinging...why can't my family sit together,Stewardesses reassured the bloke it would be possible later but after takeoff..." Did you book so you can sit together " No...they did later.....

Air marroc too Laayoune ...Jesus what is it with people...plane is likely oven on board...I am in full bike gear,boots aswell as I only have hand luggage booked..another chuffing bloke full on arguing with flight staff..he still went through...any other airline it would have police on board...
Laayoune border control..
Pulled too one side and questioned,,,but all OK allowed in....After some explaining about accident and them looking on computer about my exit..

Nightmare begins...
All OK on the first day, 2nd evening...I get a full on nose bleed for no apparent reason...( can't even remember the last time I had one.)
Blood thinning tablets don't help..
Every day I am in Morroco I get nose bleeds...even upto a point when I was in a hotel and it started at 21.00 hrs.next morning after a very broken sleep its into Marrakesh hospital for them too sort out courtesy off hotel calling an ambulance.....( sorry about the blood stained place but they were OK with it..)
Now have blood clotting gauze for my nose after I was sent too a pharmacy too buy it,and a private clinic for blood test for them too make sure I am OK too travel home...
Into Spain it still continues,then get a break 2 days with no nose bleed..whoop whoop...
Hostel in Bilbao Saturday morning for the boat home,,,just started a yogurt,,,out it comes....in goes the gauze and a retire too the bedroom..for a lay down again..
Onto the Galicia ferry that morning (lovely boat.) And home with no more nose bleeds...
Booked into Hospital EnT department for investigation,being seen within a week..
A few random pictures below....food related and my helpers in Laayoune....whom I can't thank enough...
After nearly 4 months it started immediately..

crumbles · Expert