Distance:   45 km     Total Ascent:   638 metres

Battled a constant desert headwind and after 17kms of a fairly mundane flattish road and scenery I decided that the shuttle was a good option and might alleviate a looming knee problems.  Excellent decision as when we stopped for coffee at Alnif the wind really kicked up a sandstorm for about 30 minutes.

At Merzouga we transferred into 4WDs and were driven even further into the desert to our overnight camp. I think the local Berber drivers were trying to recreate the excitement of the Dakar rally as every car took a different route through the sand dunes at breakneck pace.

Then a camel ride! Sitting astride our 4 legged steeds instead of our 2 wheeled bikes it was a treat to weave in between the huge sand dunes to our sunset viewing point.

The strong gusting wind gave us an instant lesson in why the Berber head coverings are so useful.  Simply unwind a bit of the cloth and you are protected from the sand whipping into your eyes and mouth.  

Scrambling up to the top of the high dune was somewhat more energetic than anticipated. Unfortunately the cloud cover made the sunset somewhat underwhelming but the local Berber boys who guided our camels gave us a wonderful show of backflips and somersaults down the dunes – making us all laugh – but hesitant to copy them.