Back to Morocco for some Springtime cycling in the Atlas Mountains. I had a taster last year in 2024, on an organised tour, which was fine, but this year I want to be a bit more independent and do my own thing. However, not alone. I am too old and risk averse these days to go completely solo, so have teamed up with a cycling companion, Richard, who will cycle with me. We are both of a similar age, retired, but want the assurance of some company when out and about in Morocco. We found each other on one of the various touring cyclist websites, and connected, and I visited him near Cadiz earlier in the year so we could both have a look/ see of each other. Must have worked because we agreed to cycle together in Morocco and give each other the assurance of some company on our travels. Richard lives in Spain with his wife, so he flew from Malaga, while I flew from Birmingham, and we met in Marrakesh, staying two nights in a small Riad in the old part of the city as we got ourselves organised and prepared for the off. Marrakesh is busy, bustling, noisy, chaotic, and mildly interesting, although I think it is overhyped on the travel shows. The main square can be fun, but I very quickly tire of people selling trinkets, and performing - fire eaters, pet monkeys doing tricks etc. The food isn't that great, lots of tagines or cousous, and then more tagines or couscous. We are here during Ramadam, so the place is busy in the evenings when the locals break their fast - presumably with tagines and cousous ! - and, of course, there is no alcohol on offer, which doesn't bother me, and will - some will no doubt say ! - do me good !