MY CROSS EGYPT CHALLENGE 2012

CAIRO TO ALEXANDER DAY 1

OCTOBER 10, 2012

WOW! WHAT A RIDE!!!! We went to Tahrir square in front of the palace to have the official start. Like all start things there had to be a dignitary and like most dignitaries he was late. The really good news is today is the holy day here, so there is not much traffic. But the traffic was still fierce. Despite a police escort it was bumper cars. After the big event we were off to the the pyramids. A short visit there for photos....there are lots of photo people....our four and lots of newspaper and TV people. A stop for prayers and we were off for Alexandria. This was not for timid riders. Alexandria was worse than Cairo. We arrived at the City Center Mall one of the sponsors of the ride. It was a big event with fireworks, cheerleaders, and dancing. Bumper cars again in night traffic to the hotel. And the horns.....every one works and they test it every 30 seconds!

There are no pictures while riding. I was just hanging on!!!!!!!!

Sorry for no labels but it has been a long hectic day.

our ride leader

at the square

there are always red bull girls.

the guy on my right is our escort. he has a nice big gun under that coat

go pro mona

jon has a big mac in every country he visits

alexandria

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

MERSA MATROUH TO SIWA OASIS DAY 3

OCTOBER 14 2012

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(day 2 well be updated when time and internet permits)

Todays leg, from Marsa Matrough to Siwa Oasis, was a great ride. The morning briefing was on the lawn of the hotel sitting on the Mediterranean sea. The briefing covers problems from yesterday, what happens today, and information from the picture people. There are a lot of pictures of this trip. So far we have left about an hour late and today was no exception. We were waiting on a tire and as soon as it arrived our mechanic quickly installed it and we are on the road. Three hundred kilometers to our distention. We turned south away from the med and headed across the desert. We arrived at our hotel about two hours late....right on schedule. You will understand this more when I do day 2. All it was a great day. Each day we bond more and more with the other riders. Since most of the riders are from Egypt we are getting to know a lot about the culture and the history of this country. I wish I had the energy to write more but these are long hot days.

Be sure and check out the Challenges Facebook page for continues update and more information. http://www.facebook.com/CrossEgyptChallenge

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