Al Sharqia is one of Egypt’s better governorates for cycling: completely flat, a wide network of farm roads and sensible distances between towns. It has its challenges too. This is a practical guide to riding here — routes, timing and local safety rules.
Why Sharqia suits cycling
- The land is essentially flat — no real climbs, which is ideal for beginners and older riders.
- A dense network of farm roads links the villages, with far less traffic than the main highways.
- Distances between towns are sensible: Zagazig–Hehia is about 15 km, Zagazig–Abu Hammad about 18 km — perfect half-day rides.
- The fields and canals make riding enjoyable rather than merely exercise.
Suggested routes
| Route | Distance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| A loop inside Zagazig around the parks | 5 – 8 km | Beginner |
| Zagazig → El Qanayat → back | 20 km | Beginner |
| Zagazig → Hehia → back | 30 km | Intermediate |
| Zagazig → Abu Hammad → back | 36 km | Intermediate |
| Zagazig → Minya Al Qamh → back | 40 km | Intermediate |
| Zagazig → Belbeis → back | 70 km | Advanced |
| Farm roads around Tell Basta and Zankalon | 15 – 25 km | Intermediate (dirt) |
The best times to ride
- Summer (June–September): dawn until 8 am, or after 6:30 pm. The heat between 11 and 4 is a genuine danger, not just discomfort.
- Winter (December–February): 9 am to 3:30 pm. The best season by far. Watch for morning fog over farmland.
- Spring (March–May): excellent, but beware the dusty khamaseen winds — they cut visibility and make riding into them hard work.
- Autumn (October–November): arguably the finest riding of the year.
Local hazards to expect
- Tuk-tuks: they emerge from side turnings suddenly and without signalling. Slow down at every village entrance.
- Animal carts: usually unreflected and moving slowly in the middle of the road. Overtake carefully with plenty of room.
- Roads after irrigation: mud on a farm road is extremely slippery, especially on knobby tyres. Drop tyre pressure and ride slowly.
- Dogs: common on farm roads. Do not sprint — slow down and pass calmly, as wide as you can.
- Unpainted speed bumps: common at village entrances and hard to see at night. A good headlight is essential.
- Sand and gravel piles: left at the roadside by building work, and a real slip hazard.
Kit that matters here specifically
- Plenty of water: in summer budget at least a litre an hour. Shops can be far apart on farm roads.
- A puncture kit and pump: thorns and wire on farm roads cause more punctures than usual.
- Strong lights: most farm roads have no lighting at all.
- A cap under the helmet and sunglasses: for sun and dust.
- Sunscreen: two hours of riding in Egypt without it means burns.
- A charged phone and a power bank: coverage is good across most of Sharqia, but batteries run out.
Riding in a group
Group riding is considerably safer on open roads — a group is far more visible to drivers than a lone rider, and if something breaks or someone falls, you are not alone. Try to find a group in Zagazig or your own area, or start one with friends around a fixed weekly ride.
Is the main agricultural highway safe to ride?
The main highways are not ideal for bikes because of vehicle speeds and heavy lorries. If you must, keep well right but away from the very edge, wear reflective clothing, and run a flashing rear light even in daylight. The parallel farm roads are always the better option.
Where can I get my bike repaired in Sharqia?
Most districts have shops that handle basics like punctures and brake adjustment. For bigger jobs — wheel truing, gear indexing, brakes — we repair any bike, even one bought elsewhere.
Do you deliver bikes to every district in Sharqia?
Yes — we deliver to every district, city and village in Al Sharqia: Zagazig, Belbeis, Minya Al Qamh, Abu Hammad, Hehia, Abu Kabir, Faqous, El Husseiniya, Kafr Saqr, Awlad Saqr, El Ibrahimiya, Deyerb Negm, Mashtoul El Souk, El Qanayat, El Qurein, New Salhia, Menshat Abu Omar, San El Hagar and 10th of Ramadan City.
