I made a phone call and booked it. Meet up Sunday at 3:30 PM. I head to Locaquad, at the foot of the Kasbah Le Mirage, two kilometers of rocks from the big stadium in Marrakech. Arriving on time, I briefly meet the team who shows me my vehicle and explains what's about to happen. Minutes later, my fellow adventurers arrive. A mother and her son, about twelve years old, ready for the adventure. Our guide, Saïd, tells us how to proceed safely. After putting on balaclavas and helmets, we start getting acquainted with the quads. The team starts the engines. Off we go! We start with a few laps on the circuit to really understand the size and potential of these beasts. After about fifteen minutes, everyone lines up at the gate. Most of us are not very comfortable with the controls (and for added safety), Saïd and another leader join the little family. On the road again!
My city is beautiful. We start by briefly skirting a dried-up stream, then assault the desert expanse lined with palm trees. We take off in single file, as the instructor showed us earlier, keeping some distance between each quad to avoid swallowing too much dust. Being in second position during this experience, I highly recommend you follow this guidance! Let the leader get ahead, and treat yourself to a few bursts of speed here and there. It avoids some inconveniences and lets you enjoy the scenery.
As our journey progresses, the Middle Atlas, which seemed only a distant mirage, emerges from nowhere. Hills now stand before us, and the task intensifies a bit. Very stable on my quad and not lacking confidence, I want to climb this terrain, if only to enjoy the view. On this steep climb, the guides decide to take over the control of the quads of my new friends. Just as well, since I lose myself for a moment imagining what my fall onto the sharp rocks might be like. Suddenly, a wheel hits a large stone, waking me up and almost causing me to lose balance. Once at the summit, we take a few minutes to enjoy the panoramic view. A small village below, thousands of palm trees, and Marrakech barely visible in the distance. It's worth it just for this.
On our way down, we head towards the house of Abd Errahman, where a snack awaits us. At his traditional home, he welcomes us with his family. It fits perfectly with the excursion into these arid valleys. Our host first offers us something to drink. Without running water, he suggests we wash our hands under his large teapot filled with water (which turns out to be necessary after an hour of driving), then invites us into a living room where he serves us tea and msmens. We rest a bit until Saïd calls us.
The return seems to fly by. The path is pleasant and allows for some powerful ascents. Gradually, the village appears and the end of my adventure is supported by children's smiles along the way. We arrive back at Locaquad. The engines stop, but their rumbling continues to echo in my legs. As a sort of first cooldown, Saïd runs us under the high-pressure inflator to remove the part of the desert that got ingrained during the trip... An explosive afternoon, extraordinary sensations, and a stunningly beautiful region. In three words, it was fantastic! I recommend it, and my two companions agree!
Last tip to avoid the same mistakes I made, steer clear of flip-flops and light colors.