Cross Egypt Challenge is a series of endurance scooter rides aiming to promote tourism, alternative sports, and alternative means of transportations in Egypt.

I was accepted a ride for this years Challenge. I am honored and thrilled at this opportunity.

The 2012 season of Cross Egypt Challenge will start from Egypt's capital and the home of the famous Tahrir square, then heads north to the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria at the shores of the Mediterranean before heading west towards the city of Marsa Matrouh. The challenge will then heads down towards the fascinating Sahara desert where the challenge team will ride between Egypt's 5 famous oases, Siwa, Bahareya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga before reaching the legendary city of Luxor; the world largest open-air museum, where they will ride down the avenue of the sphinxes to end their long and tiring journey in front of the magnificent temple of Karnak.



View Larger Map

Pages

A WONDERFUL RIDE

WHAT A WONDERFUL RIDE!!

 The mission statement for the Cross Egypt Challenge is:
Cross Egypt Challenge is a series of endurance scooter rides aiming to promote tourism, alternative sports, and alternative means of transportation in Egypt.

It did all of this and more. We rode through all kinds of challenges and riding conditions (except rain or snow). We had smooth roads, rough roads, sand roads, and no roads.
It demonstrated that scooters are a viable means to travel the country.

It showed us the vast tourist opportunities that Egypt offers. We rode through beautiful deserts that were varied and changed in appearance as the sun moved across the sky. We were introduced to areas that most people would never think of when they came to Egypt. There is much more to see than pyramids and tombs.  There is great eco and adventure travels to be had.  This is also a great time to come to Egypt as a tourist.  Because of the recent events travel is at a bargain price.  The Cross Egypt Challenge was 8 days all inclusive, including the scooter and all support, for $1,600. While I was scootering my wife, Vicki, cruised the Nile for 8 days, all inclusive including domestic airfare and a personal 24 hour a day guide, for the same price.

We started our ride in Tahrir Square, Cairo where the news reports always say there is turmoil and protests, and ended in Luxor. Not at any time during this entire 8 day event did we see any signs of unrest or animosity against us. In fact we saw just the opposite: friendly, caring and kind people.  In the city and in the desert Oasis we heard time after time "welcome". People wanted to have their picture taken with us or us to take their picture. 

Most importantly to me, was the chance to meet people from all over the world.  They came from Singapore, to Nigeria, to Argentina to be part of this event. We rode with and met Egyptians that we would have never interacted with as a regular tourist. They are all considered friends now and are wonderful people.

I look forward to my next Cross Egypt Challenge.




Posted by