The Cross Egypt Challenge: A Biker’s Desert Dream
Riding along roads that wind their way around some of the most dramatic backdrops in the world, shadows of wavering wisps of hair on caramel-toned sand, a forgiving camel as we whizz past almost whimsically on our scooter — or motorcycle for the wild at heart. Luckily, only scooters above 150cc are allowed to participate in this spectacular event or we may be beaten by the camel himself, even worse, we may not be able to indulge in our ‘leave ’em in the dirt’ moment.
This is just one of the many scenarios to expect at the yearly Cross Egypt Challenge, a motorcycle and scooter rally that began in 2011, with the aim to promote tourism and alternative transportation in Egypt. And it has been a success: every year the number of participants has grown, along with the kilometres they travel.
The 2017 event, which begins on October 12, will last 10 days with participants riding a total distance of 2700 kilometres — one of the longest routes in the history of the challenge. Beginning in the Mediterranean’s largest seaport city, Alexandria, riders will head south to the capital Cairo en route to ride the Nile Valley. The journey will take them through Minya, Kharga Oasis, Luxor, Aswan, the Egyptian eastern desert, Marsa Alam, Hurghada, Ain Sokhna and back through Cairo to end the challenge in the most sacred place in Egypt — under the Great Pyramids of Giza.
WORDS OF WISDOM
- Give the Cross Egypt Challenge Group Riding Tips a good read. It can certainly help make the ride a lot safer and easier.
- This event is for seasoned riders and for those who enjoy adventure tourism and extreme sports. The roads are very rough, with a long track but the reward of seeing the best sightseeing spots in Egypt on a bike makes it all worthwhile.
- Accompanying persons are welcome and can register alongside a rider at a lower rate.
Visit Cross Egypt Challenge
