The Desert Spoor combines the most beautiful parts of established desert bikepacking routes: the southern sections of Jordan Bike Trail with a start in Keraq and Israel Bike Trail with the end at the Deat Sea (El Tamer).
While in Jordan dirtroads alternate with tarred roads, the trail in Israel is completely off-road over 4x4 tracks and a fantastic singletrack that has been built exclusively for bikers. While the trail in Israel is technically demanding, the section in Jordan is easy. There, however, are waiting some very steep climbs, which are not always completely ridable despite asphalt under the wheels and little luggage. The route through the Wadi Rum is about 80% ridable, the remaining 20% ​​are pushing sections through soft sand. Wide tires and light luggage are an advantage.
In Israel, the wind blows fairly constantly from the northwest, so as a headwind when you ride from south to north (Eilat to Dead Sea). Something the trail makers knew about when they painted the trail markings from north to south and not the other way... However, the very sandy section in Wadi Rum and the military check-point at its exit rather speaks against reversing the route.

Infrastructur / Logistics

The supply situation on the Desert Spoor is quite easy. In Jordan, all major towns have a shop that is open during the day and sells the usual groceries. In Israel, you depend on the supermarkets in the kibbutz/villages. These usually have a very good assortment, but are open only in the morning and in the evening (usually from 16.00 pm). Jordan is much cheaper than very pricey Israel!
You get water in the villages or directly from water channels in the oases or from the wadis. Some form of water treatment is useful. Supply points for provisions and water are noted as waypoints in the GPX file. Count a maximum of 36 hours long sections without water, and two days long stages without shops (but it is usually shorter). Between the supply points you can not count on any help.
For the Desert Spoor you need at least a bivouac bag / tarp. After sunset, it cools down quickly. In November, we were happy to pull on a down jacket! While you are allowed to camp anywhere in Jordan, in Israel's National Parks and Nature Reserves you are only allowed at designated campsites (without any facilities!). In addition, riding after sunset is prohibited. Beware of sudden flash floods in the wadis in cloudy weather / rain!

Difficulty

The Desert Spoor is one of the very few desert routes that is really fun with a bike, because apart from a few short sections in Wadi Rum almost everything is ridable. But you should travel very lightly (only the absolute minimum). A bit of experience in riding singletrails is an advantage, but none of the sections is extremely technical and therefore also for beginners great fun. Being in good shape makes life on the trail easier, as the climbs in Jordan are extremely steep and long. Like every desert tour, you should also plan the Desert Spoor for the cooler months of October through April. In summer, temperatures can rise to over 45 degrees Celsius! But in the months of January / February it can also snow on the Jordanian plateau. Plan water and food supplies carefully and be aware that you are on your own in the desert.