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Which route to follow from Aswan to Cairo? Which route to follow from Aswan to Cairo?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 8 Apr 2012
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Which route to follow from Aswan to Cairo?
Due to tyre problem our option to visit the Black and White desert is no more an option. What is the pro and cons on the main road next to the Nile and maybe as alternative the road next to the Red sea up along the coast?

Is the main road littered with police eager to harass every traveller or is it a more scenic route than the coastal road?
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  #2  
Old 8 Apr 2012
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Coast road is a lot safer and at times more scenic
Along the Nile River, you'll end up doing stop and go, lots of trucks and minibus, donkeys, bicycles, pedestrians, local motorbikes, and lots of idiot drivers. Nice if you drive up to Luxor, stopping to enjoy absolutely fascinating archeology, but then head a bit North and cross the desert to the Red Sea coast. You'll most likely find petrol (called benzene in Egypt, 90 and 92 more likely), and being smart and discrete, you should be able to head out to the desert to put up a tent. The desert area is militarized. You'll find cheep accommodations in cities on your way up to Cairo. From the coast to Cairo, it is mostly highway, easy. Not super fun, but so much safer! What's your tire problem, is there anyway anyone can help you with that, maybe? The western deserts are a must. Drive safely in Egypt, this is one crazy place. /C
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  #3  
Old 8 Apr 2012
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Agree the Nile Road is a big pain. In 2011 we picked up a tourist police escort which meant stopping and waiting every 20 mins or so whilst they handed us over to the next lot of police. Very busy road - mostly though towns, not very enjoyable.

What sort of tyre problem? You can drive the desert loop entirely on excellent tar if you want. You can still see the deserts from the main road. In fact in the White Desert the main tracks (helpfully colour coded) were very easy going - compacted sand - and some of the loops are just off the road. It is an incredible place to camp and the oases towns are so laid back I'd go that way even with car trouble. One of the highlights of a three year trip for us.
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Old 9 Apr 2012
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thank you very much for the replies.

We had extreme heat in Sudan the last couple of days. I think it might have taken it's toll on my rear tyre. The blocks are starting to de laminate from the tyre carcass. I have made sure to keep the speed low and the tyre pumped hard so it can run cool.
I might be able to make Luxor with the tyre, but as I do not know the desert road I am hesitant to venture that side with a dodgy tyre.

What is petrol availability like on the coastal road?
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Old 9 Apr 2012
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Michnus,

Sorry to hear about the tire issues. One suggestion I might make is to look around Aswan for leave behinds by other bikers. The occasional biker is known to lug their extra tires down to Aswan and then do the swap there prior to heading south. (I left a set of Tourances there about 4 years ago as one example).

This was more common in years past when the road from Aswan to Dongola was unpaved and folks swapped from highway tires to 50/50 tires for that section. You'd be getting a used tire, but sounds like your current tire is in tough shape so even a used tire with low tread would be better than that. Check the campsite, traveller hotels where dirt bag bikers might stay. Also doesn't hurt to try a couple of the scooter shops in town who might have luck in directing you to someone who has a dusty old big bike tire on his used rack. Anything left behind has a way of making it's way to a used market for potential resale.

If your tire truly looks like it's on it's last legs, you could also try to have a tire sent down from Cairo to Aswan.
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Old 9 Apr 2012
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Are you still in Khartoum?
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