11/14/2023 Bikepacking Morocco Day 98 : International D Day

by Brian · Published November 14, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024

No, it’s not International Dave Day (Dave Scheel’s birthday), today is international Diabetes Awareness Day. I’ve been patiently waiting to share a little nugget with you: Thanks to the tentacles of the internet, I had a “rare find.” Lukas Preiter is a young Type 1 diabetic. This alone isn’t TOO special because 1 in 300 people will get Type 1 diabetes (as opposed to 1 in 3 or even 1 in 2 who will get the usually reversible and completely unrelated type 2 diabetes). What is special, is that Lukas is bikepacking. Right Now. In West Africa. To Togo. He is ~80 days ahead of me, and although we have different routes, some sections are very similar. What are the chances of two type 1 diabetics cycling Western Africa?

Lukas is on an ambitious project to cycle to Togo, and when he arrives, he wants to test people there for type 1 diabetes by stabbing their fingers and making them bleed. He’s probably not going to win the popularity contest, but he is doing something good. He is raising money to help get people treatment, because in countries like Togo, Type 1 isn’t usually diagnosed; more often, the afflicted simply die of unknown causes from a condition that is 100% treatable. It’s an ambitious project for sure. Daily, I think about how a tiny raindrop of liquid means the difference between life or death for T1s. This is a link to his Instagram if you are curious about his project:

I really hope to meet Lukas in real life and I admire what he is doing. Hopefully he will still be in Togo when I arrive.

Rather than pummel you with stories about the hardships of being stoned, I’ll tell you about my emergency beacon saga. I arranged with the manufacturer to express ship a replacement 8 days ago. The device arrived in Morocco, but it has been stuck in customs for 4 days. I called Morocco UPS today, and the problem is that my name was not put on the package, and so I cannot pay the customs. This means that I need to have the shipper pay a fee to put my name on the package and then I can pay the fees. “This process should take just a few weeks,” the kind man said. At the moment, I’m at the place where the package was supposed to arrive.

I thought hard about this today. In 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, even the Queen (let alone his poor mum) didn’t know his position. Fast forward to today, and if the King of Morocco (Sidi Mohammed bin Hassan al-Alawi) felt so inclined, even he could flip on Strava to see where I have been galavanting around his country. Actually, I hope he does so he can tell Baba Nwel (Arabic Santa Claus) to give the rock throwing kids lumps of coal this Christmas. On second thought, make that soft coal. Strava would be a good fit for the king with the crowns and all.

Anyway, you have probably gathered: I have decided to push on without the emergency beacon. I have already spent enough money on shipping* to buy an entire village copies of “How to improve your aim.” Cellular reception has been good so far, and I’ll keep laying breadcrumbs on my tracker page from my phone when it has reception. I am aware that reception won’t be guaranteed due to frequent power outages in future countries on my list, but I’ll try to let you know ahead-of-time before I go into remote zones… like maybe tomorrow?

*update: I was not charged for shipping. Thanks, Bivy.

Photos:

Good riding today. Kids are in school and I found a place with maybe no people.

I always like “the trades.” People who work and make things. Making stuff is as real as it gets.

I found a bike shop! Too bad I didn’t find it sooner - looks like there is a trailer back there for Mila. Wonder how she is. 😞 🐶

People often sell stuff out of their vehicles here. One cool sight: I have many times seen vans with full-on barista espresso machines set up in the back. Perhaps this is the Moroccan version of a tailgate party because alcohol isn’t allowed? I LIKE!!

I saw women sitting by side of the track with what looked like clear plastic water bottles that looked like they had been filled with milk. I would have liked to buy this! But given that I’m just getting over my stomach problem, I decided to play it safe.

Like we have trash day at home, it looks like today was propane tank exchange day out here in this very rural area. It leads me to believe that people have a decent standard of living. I want to emphasize that the kids who ask me for stuff all look healthy and well fed (just so you don’t think people are starving here; it’s not like that).

Camp tonight.

Hot off the press (after I made this post). The satellite communication device will be abandoned in Morocco. But Bivy made good on the fees. So, they are a good company, I think.

Strava Comments:

Glenn O.

Always an epic adventure!!

Paula G.

How could your name have been left off the package??? That makes no sense to me. Now I'm going to worry about you. Good thing you didn't tell all of us about your journey ahead of time. I do love that the people are so friendly.

Mark G.

Thanks for the link Brian. I actually checking out Lucas's Insta earlier today:

Chris N.

That welder’s eye screen is pretty sketch, but not unusual given the locale.

Carol D.

That was a big ride today.

Gary M.

No shit Chris Neary, long term eye health is most likely not in that guys favor. Also that container looks like it has a galvanized type of coating on it (hard to tell) which is highly poisonous without proper ventilation.

Janti of the J.

Chris Neary Gary Madgett at least his hair is short, so it will only catch a little bit on fire. 🔥

Chris N.

Gary Madgett, yep it’s galvanized. Good practice is to grind the coating off where welding will occur (improves weld quality, too). Excessive inhalation of zinc fumes will cause a temporary condition called “zinc shakes” Not fun

Braden L.

I’m picturing you in a full face helmet and chest protector. Maybe a bullseye on your back…good thing they are mostly off target 😜

Dave S.

Who needs a beacon? The stone throwers know where you are! Thanks for the shout out. BTW, I gave up getting stoned 25 year ago and I'm a better man for it. You should give it a try 🤣

Janet W.

We talk almost every day all about our days and I love it. When I look at your photos I feel like I can barely imagine what it's like to travel in Morocco. It's so different that California, which is why you are exploring and enjoying it! I always love the tent and road detour photos!