Naturaid Morocco 2017: a travelogue

Enrico Azzolini at Naturaid Morocco 2017

My journey as a cycle-tourist began on the Camino de Santiago with my son—an adventure rather than a holiday for us, as we weren’t exactly athletes—and that’s where it all started. It is precisely through cycle-touring that you learn to leave the superfluous behind; I realized that the more I let go of things, the freer I felt mentally. Leaving items at home is, in a way, about leaving behind problems and worries too—completely detaching yourself from the usual things that weigh you down, both mentally and physically.

The fact is, for my subsequent trips, I was looking for something better than standard panniers and backpacks—and what could be better than bikepacking? In doing so, I discovered not just a new world, but a whole new lifestyle! These are accessories that become an integral part of your journey, giving you the confidence that you can rely on them whether you’re caught in the rain or riding through the desert.

It was precisely here that the majority of the 2017 Naturaid Morocco adventure took place. The Moroccan landscape—and the desert valleys of the High Atlas range in particular—is defined not only by its altitude but also by a climate that is hot and dry during the day yet cold at night.

I had to adapt to a very harsh and demanding environment; the wind, in particular, is etched in my memory—a wind that dries you out from the inside with every breath…

It is a hostile environment, yet one inhabited by a people you can count on—the Berbers—who have almost nothing (no electricity or running water) but live by herding and are always ready to help anyone who knocks on their door.

Watch the video of the Naturaid Morocco 2017 adventure.