Day 1 - Aglou Plage
There are two roads to Aglou and we cycled the ancien route which is west to the main road. Just before Aglou Plage is the small port area and above it a small restaurant where fish are grilled on an open fire. The manager took me to his freezer to show the fresh caught fish from the day before, so we mostly chose fresh sardines washed down with milnt tea.
Below us was the small port and small wooden fishing boats, used to catch our dinner along with numerous houses pushed into the cliffs where fisherman still live of keep their gear.
Returning to the main road, we descend further into Aglou which is undergoing quite a lot of developement. There is a wide promenade at the sea front and 5 cafes (all owned by the same person) Most checked out the beach whilst I body surfed on this sandy beach.

Day 2 - Gourizm and Aglou
Heading to the south west of Tiznit this route took an inland route parallel to the coast along a good road.
The first part has a steep climb through switchbacks followed by 2 smaller climbs but it does afford good views all around. We stopped at the small town of Souk El Arba Du Sahal where there are shops and basic cafe, more mint tea and biscuits from the shop. We drew the usual help from the locals who enthusiastically practiced their English (most spoke French) whilst taking our orders. Heading towards the coast was mostly downhill as we descended to Gourizm. There is nothing at the coast when you arrive except a beach, before you head along the Atlantic Coast. This was a lovely ride with hills falling to the sea on the right and the site and sound of breakers on the left. This area of the coast is developing with blocks of housing heading towards the coast. It is worth looking at the small port on the left accessed by a track marked by 2 fishing boats by the road. The coast road finishes at Aglou, however we stopped at the pizza restaurant situated at Les Rochers Rouges. Multiple pizzas and juices consumed on a terrace overlooking the sea
Into Aglou where we skirted the northern edge before returning to Tiznit along the Ancien Route.

Day 3 - Mountains
Through the hussle and bussle of the centre of Tiznit, passing a large water feature, narrow streets and the phnetic heart of Tiznit. The route then took us out via the suburbs rather than the main road. Arriving at the main road we headed south with wide views all around. The road wasn't overly busy but after a while you head along a quieter road towards Bounnamane. This runs along a wide valley and although we were climbing it hardly feels like it.
Taking a break we diverted via the town (the route takes you that way) where there are shops and several cafes all serving tea and coffee. Few Westeners come this way.
Returning to the road the cycling became steeper passing water wells and cacti. Local ladies manually hawled water out, loading into containers to be carried back down the hil by donkeys. The top is close to a junction where we bore right, then suddenly an amazing view appears across the plain below; quite a sight. A switch-backed descent took us onto the plain before heading right and north again. Passing through El Had N'Belforne much of this village was closed, but there is a basic teashop on the right that was open. A few of us stopped tucking into more tea and long life cakes in bags and boxes strapped to the counter through which our tea was served. After this there was a long and quite steep climb, the hardest of the day. A swift descent that levels a bit for an extensive easy run towards Souk El Arba Du Sahel where we revisited the cafe and treated as long lost friends, before the final section back to Tiznit, roller coastering through the scenery. A final swift descent with expansive views towards Tiznit brought us back to the city and the Riad

Day 4 - Tiznit
Aby, our incredibly helpful host at the Riad, took us on a walking tour of Tiznit. The youngest walled city in Morocco, it has a very Moroccan vibe as few tourists come here. We explored the Kasbah, a local museum and ate lunch in the shade of a fig tree in a courtyard

Day 5 - Barrage Youssef Ben Tachfine and Massa
Starting from Tiznit, this route heads quickly out of the town to take the westerly road towards Tafroute. The road was reasonably flat with little to see. Heading north, the route gets a lot quieter as we headed through and past small villages finishing in a cafe at the far end of the small village of Arbaa Rasmouka. For one so remote this was the poshest so far, it even had glass doors.
Heading out, we followed the signs for La Barrage and there was a climb towards a right hand bend in the road where there is a wide pull of area for cars. Over the brow of the hill in this pull of is a purpose built viewing platform over the barrage and the expanse of water. Well I say a wide expanse as it looked pretty dry, indicative of the lack of rainfall in this area.
The route descended quite quickly, bearing left to pass across the dam. Lunch was under a shay tree at the side of the road after which we continued to the main N1. We were only on this for a few kilometres but the road was wide and traffic courteous.
Massa is quite big and there are various places to stop, but we were ready for a stop, so chose Café Restaurant Timitar which was the first one on the right as you descend into Massa. The more impoverished place over the road had a proprieter who had an issue with this imploring me to take the group to his place as it was cheaper and he needed the money even though we were seated and had ordered. Carrying on, we passed through the centre of Massa to pass a large area of green pasture, which is quite a difference to the majority of roads in Morocco, which are dry. It was quite a contrast, especially as the generally area used to be the bread basket of Morocco until things started to heat up.
The section to Anglou is a long uphill climb, not that steep but long. The road is pretty barren and you can't see the coast, the area is full of cactus, pretty maybe, but this was a dull section
Descending towards Aglou, we headed to the north crossing the Tiznit to Aglou road to take the Ancien Route back to Tiznit

Day 6 - Sidi Ifni
We transfered to Lakhsass where the ride started. The road has been recently tarmacced and is predominantly downhill, so the cycling was quick, the average was 17mph.
Passing through Tioughza, there are several small cafes (on the left in the centre) Continuing onwards the road continues to descend. There is though a sting in the tail to this ride as there is a gradual climb then a steep descent. To our left high above you can see another tarmacced road and it is up this road that you need to climb over to get to Sidi Ifni.
We'd started as 2 groups as the previous day had been quite hard. By the climb the first group had caught the second group dropped further along the road, so we were now all together.
Once over the climb there was a steep descent to the road that parallels the coast. However we chose to explore Sidi Ifni, so headed left along the wide dual carriageway which leads to a good view of the town and a descent over the roundabout. There are 3 choices here, right to the beach, left to a cheaper restaurant, or straight over to climb into the old town built by the Spanish. In the end we lunched at a restaurant and took a fascinating walking tour led by Aby arounfd the Spanish built centre where the Foreign Legion once roamed leaving some fine old buildings in their wake
The day finished at Plage de Lagzirai to the sound of the waves and the sight of the sea fog.

The Riad
We stayed in an extraordinary Riad, with a fantastic host and staff. Nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast was bread and patisseries, yoghurt, fresh orange juice and a selection of eggs. Dinners were varied and delicious and not too many tagines. We could relax by the pool, much the tangerines on the tree and drink tea in the evening, what a place