a collision of cultures, somewhere in Morocco this week...

have we told you lately that Morocco is unreal? it's true. think Sedona but transported to North Africa - centuries-old singletrack used by nomadic Berber tribes, towns straight out of Nat Geo, cities straight out of an Indian Jones flick...and a whole lot more. It's exotic yet European. And the riding...is very good.
Our current Dirt Merchant trip in Morocco is XC but if you're looking for an all-mountain or even DH trip just let us know, we can set it up for you. Best time to go is September through mid-November...grab some friend, get in touch with us and book your flights!

Check out these sweet photos from photographer Jaroslav Soukup, of pro rider Richard "Gaspi" Gasperotti from Jirkov, Czech Republic. By the way, Gaspi was clocked going 218 km being towed behind a speed bike recently, the world speed record...ballsy!

 

Life Cycles and Vanderham

The brainchild of photographer Derek Frankowski and Ryan Gibb, the highly anticipated Life Cycles film sheds some light on filming a segment at the Whistler Bike Park last fall with Thomas Vanderham. This movie has been in the works for a few years now and every so often a whisper of a rumour is heard, a photo surfaces of McCaul boosting an air in the Prairies, of something very different that is being created. I predict that we're all going to be blown away and the bar will be raised, not only for mountain biking films, but for action sports films...

Speaking of Vanderham, I couldn't help but think back to the trip we did together in Morocco back in '05 with Andrew Shandro, Matt Hunter and The Collective. Has it been that long?

Vanderham and Hunter navigating the souk in Marrakech.

Thomas stepped up to the plate and was the first to hit this air. It was truly in the middle of nowhere.

"...i lost count of the times i was whooping loudly..."

"The three Big Mountain trips I have been on have been incredible and the best trails I have ever ridden anywhere, I lost count of the times I was whooping loudly on this one and I look forward to doing more next year, I'm already dreaming of the Swiss DH trip." Daveid Phillips, UK.
 
View photos from Daveid's recent trip to Maroc....great photos Daveid, thanks!

2010 Dirt Merchant Morocco dates have been confirmed, Sept 19-28. See you in Marrakech!