MTB Egypt Rider of the Month: May 2014
Name: Morsi Shehata
Age: 64
Where are you from?: Cairo
What do you do for a living? In the travel business.
When and why did you start cycling? I started cycling regularly 8 years ago. The bike is and environment friendly, simple and quiet machine. It takes you to places you can not easily go on foot, in a car or riding a motorbike. More importantly, it helps you meet great like-minded people. All cyclists (especially mountain bikers!) whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet are exceptional individuals in one way or another.
Road, off-road, or both? Both.
Tell us about your bike(s)!: I have a Santa Cruz Superlight 29er. Great do-it-all bike.
Favorite ride(s) (road or off-road): I like a combination of both on and off road riding. My favorite road loops go around the New Cairo are. Wadi Degla trails offer amazing off-road riding.
Do you practice other sports?: Long-distance running, swimming and fishing.
Tell us about your cycling-related injuries/accidents: I had a couple of falls in Degla that were rather rough, but thankfully I only suffered with minor leg and back injuries thanks to wearing full protection gear, which I consider a must for riding off-road.
My most serious injury so far (which I am currently recovering from): On Saturday April 19 2014 (link to the ride’s Strava page), I had already finished my ride off road and was feeling pleased to finally reach the asphalt road after almost a 40 KM ride. I was going about 35 km/hr when I suddenly hit drainage steel lid which was approximately 30 cm lower than the street level. Crashed in a split second. It was all a blur, but I imagine the helmet protected my head from a fatal injuries after I saw the crack and the scratches on it. I rode approximately 3.5 km home with little pain but once the endorphins effect was gone, I felt intolerable pain in my left shoulder, which – after I was x-rayed – was due to a broken collarbone. Now in a sling and a compression bandage patiently awaiting recovery to get back on the bike.
Anything else you want to tell us about yourself? I feel I should tell all young people to practice sports regularly till it becomes a habit. Never say I am too old to run or ride a bike. If we say reading enables you to live another life , sports enable you to live a third one. Even if we live shorter life, make it a healthy and enjoyable one. It is not only about physical condition but our mental health as well. If in doubt, read this. My God may bless you all.
