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.



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ALEXANDRIA TO MERSA MATRUH DAY 2

OCTOBER 13  2012


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 Our morning brief was scheduled for 7:30 but postponed to 8:30 for scooter repairs. The mechanics had worked all night but some parts were needed from a shop.  At the brief they pointed out a sentence in our briefing book that would be very true for the rest of the trip, "As a visitor you have to learn how to accommodate Egypt and not hope that Egypt, with 5,000 years of momentum behind it, will accommodate you."

 We were finally under way about 9 and went for a ride along the Alexandria waterfront passing the Montazah and stopping at the Fort Quiet Bay for a photo-op. We learned that photo-ops would be the name of the game for the whole trip.
 our support vehicles 




 the fort

 shade, any shade

 facebook photo op

From the Fort we went to City Center Mall to meet up with the Alexandria scooter club. Once gathered up we headed west along the Med to Mersa Matruh.
 the scooter club on the left and challenge riders on the right

 water break

 a smokin' good time


a forty scooter fuel stop.  when we fueled we got in two lines and fueled one after the other.

 To emphasize the line "...and not hope Egypt will accommodate you" we pulled up to the gate at Marina 3, a very luxurious housing and shopping complex on the Med, planning on having lunch at Chili's, the sponsor of our lunch today. We waited, and we waited, and we waited.  Finally after over an hour in the sun, I walked down to the gate, where I saw money being counted out and exchanging hands.  I know that one gentlemen in this crowd was from the Alexandria Scooter Club.  I have know idea if this had anything to do with it, but as soon as this transaction was finished the gates opened and we drove in.  The lunch was good, but this whole complex is closed for the season and I think they just opened for us. So, with over 40 meals to serve, it took forever.

 Dimitrios catching a nap as usual

 shade, any shade

 the "meeting"


We are now way behind schedule and take off for Matruh.  The sun was setting and riding in the dark is not a good thing in Egypt.  Simon, #20, was the first rider of the trip to fall with damage.  Just a scratched knee, but it took a while to get him up and going again, making it later in the night.  We arrived at the hotel a 9 PM with a grand meeting from the Mayor and other dignitaries.  After checking in, everyone else rode to dinner except me, as it was far to late to eat and I took a pass.  It would later be reported as the best meal of the trip.

 we were given tourist information at the hotel

 the hotel sat on a small bay on the med

 i think simon enjoyed the attention



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