Modern Buddy

The Cross Egypt Rally is back this October. Unlike most of the desert rallies and competitions you hear about, the Cross Egypt Rally was originally a Scooter event. Motorcycles were allowed in later years.
Even though lodging is available each night in hotels ranging from 3 to 5 stars, It is still a bit too austere for me.
The route is not real challenging, except in spots, so it remains suitable for Scooters.
Maybe one day.
Plenty of info and videos at the link.
https://advrider.com/cross-egypt-challe ... -for-2021/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXBhVfwTl_U

This event is really weird. It's not much of a challenge from what I've heard from people who have done it. I suspect they sign NDAs or something limiting what they can say about the experience and post on social media. It's very controlled and the riders hardly posted anything during the trip, which was very unusual for them. It's a fairly low-key ride — not some Dakar-like trek across dunes and dangerous terrain — sort of a promotional tour. You'll visit factories and key sites of economic and historical interest. But the organizers are very controlling over where you go, what you see, what happens behind the scenes.

If you're looking for a more challenging adventure, I also know people who have done Adventurists events, and they're pretty nuts. I don't know if they're running any yet but they have a lot planned: https://www.theadventurists.com

Those Monkey bike Rallies look like a blast. Great link.
-I think you are right that the Egypt Challenge isn't much of a competition. The website does not list past winners.
It may be hard to scoot past all those monuments without stopping for a visit.