REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Riding in Wadi Degla, Egypt

2082 Views 18 Replies 14 Participants Last post by hmorsi, Jul 2, 2009

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

11

Just thought I'd share with you a few pictures from our home trail, Wadi Degla just outside Cairo, Egypt:

From MTB

Wadi Degla is an ancient (millions of years old) water-carved valley located in the Egypt's Eastern Desert, on the south eastern fringe of Cairo. The area was declared a national protectorate in the 1990s.

From MTB

From MTB

The area has a massive trail network that makes for a wide spectrum of excellent riding opportunities. From beginner-friendly wide and forgiving jeep trails, to rolling serpentine singletrack heaven on the valley's southern and northern shoulders, to ultra-technical cliffside goat trails further south. Killer climbs, hair-raising descents..it's all there!

The wadi (wadi is arabic for "valley") bottom...

From MTB

A narrow pass with a tricky rock step...

From MTB

Descending into one of the ravines...

From MTB

Riding a rocky spine...

From MTB

Singletrack heaven on the south wall of the valley...

From MTB

The trails are harsh and very rocky. Some times the fall penalty is just too high to risk a steep technical descent...

From MTB

The desert fauna is elusive to spot, but we are always shutter-happy when we do spot any of the area's wildlife forms (the Wadi is home to a large variety of desert wildlife, including red fox and nubian ibex)

From MTB

Sunset rides are always my favorite. This picture was taken on one of my favorite rides, known as The Balcony, 8+ KMs of zigzaging technical cliffside singletrack on a hill overlooking limestone quarries to the north of the valley.

From MTB

Happy riding!
--Hani

Edit: I just realized I posted this thread twice (it wasn't showing initially, so I hit back and submit again). My apologies.

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

jollybeggar

· #2 · Jul 1, 2009

Thanks, we don't get much info on Middle East riding. Very interesting terrain, what kind of temprature range do you ride in, looks like it is cold but I bet it can get hot.

Camshaft213

· #3 · Jul 1, 2009

very cool, thanks for sharing

Divo25

· #4 · Jul 1, 2009

MASR YA OM AL BILAD!! great riding pics Hani, ima have to check that out sometime during a vacation to the homeland! looks intense, how technical is it ?

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 1, 2009

jollybeggar said:
Thanks, we don't get much info on Middle East riding. Very interesting terrain, what kind of temprature range do you ride in, looks like it is cold but I bet it can get hot.

Winter and Spring (November-May) riding temperatures are perfect for riding with an average of 14°-25° C (57-75 F) in a very dry climate (we get no rainfall to speak of except on the North Coast). Summers are hot, with temperatures averaging 26°-30° (75-86 F) or so during June-September.

Our "regular" rides are 2.5-3 hours. I carry at least 3.5 liters of water + a couple gel bottles on summer rides, which usually either start at 7:00 a.m. or just before sunset to avoid the worst of the summer heat.

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 1, 2009

Divo25 said:
MASR YA OM AL BILAD!! great riding pics Hani, ima have to check that out sometime during a vacation to the homeland! looks intense, how technical is it ?

You should! The beauty of riding in Wadi Degla is that there is a wide range of trail difficulty. As a general rule, it gets more technical as you venture further to the south. For example, there is Wadi Hof, where the riding is often extremely technical and sometimes downright dangerous, considering the rocky nature of the terrain and distance from the city.

Another great thing about this area is the relatively low trail traffic. There are hikers, off-roaders and trail runners, but sometimes you feel like you have the whole place for yourself! Unfortunately, the area sustainability is threatened from nearby irresponsible quarrying activities.

JimmyC

· #7 · Jul 1, 2009

Great photos--thanks for sharing!!!

adamantane

· #8 · Jul 1, 2009

desert riding rules...i would love to ride in egypt..excellent photos and write up

nc_pinz

· #9 · Jul 1, 2009

Great pics! I'm going to be in Eygpt in a couple of weeks...too bad it will only be for a couple of days.

jgsatl

· #10 · Jul 1, 2009

that looks really cool.

snakes ever an issue out there?

Warp

· #11 · Jul 1, 2009

Coool!!!!!

Congrats!!!

brankulo

· #12 · Jul 1, 2009

wow, the trail look rather depressing

umarth

· #13 · Jul 1, 2009

Liked the lizard...

glenzx

· #14 · Jul 1, 2009

Wow! It never occured to me to bring my bike when I go visit my sisters family in the Zamalek neighborhood of Cairo. Thanks for the report from a far away place.... FWIW, it looks a bit like a HUGE version of White Mesa, NM (where I used to live - now back on the east coast).

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 1, 2009

jgsatl said:
that looks really cool.

snakes ever an issue out there?

I've never encountered one myself nor did any of my fellow riders report seeing one. I would not be surprised to see one though, it's the desert after all. I guess they might be just shy

One the other hand, snakebite flats are a big issue with all the big rocks out there

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 1, 2009

brankulo said:
wow, the trail look rather depressing

That's an interesting impression :skep: . The terrain is pretty barren and alien-like, but the feelings those trails invoke in me are anything but depressing :thumbsup:

What might indeed be depressing is the industrial and quarrying activity not so far from the trails.

Jlar

· #17 · Jul 1, 2009

Wow...I need to get outa my cocoon. I never realized how deep mtb has penetrated into the ME. How is the bike culture out there. Any good shops and clubs?

Chopsuey

· #18 · Jul 2, 2009

cool pic's, and very interesting. You probably don't see too much wild life until the sun goes down. I'm not sure though sense extreme heat is around 85 F. Anywho make sure to keep posting pics because its always good to see different riding conditions!

hmorsi

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 2, 2009

Jlar said:
Wow...I need to get outa my cocoon. I never realized how deep mtb has penetrated into the ME. How is the bike culture out there. Any good shops and clubs?

We have a nascent but active mountain bike culture in Egypt. Unfortunately, its growth is being hindered by an extreme dearth of bike shops that carry quality cycling equipment and accessories. Last February we organized the first amateur mtb race.

There is a relatively big roadie culture (we have a national squad and regular junior level competitions nationwide). Aside from enthusiast/competitive groups, there is also a whole bunch of active cycling advocacy/urban cycling groups.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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