Adventurous couple travel across GCC states on motorcycle

Arab News

6 hours ago

JEDDAH: Two Jeddah-based Indian-Saudi bikers have covered a distance of 62,218 kilometers across the Gulf Cooperation Council region on their motorcycles.
Driven by faith and adventure, the couple traveled thousands of miles, crossing the GCC borders — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Bahrain — and enduring long hours on the road, all to reach their target.
Their 24-day trip stands as a powerful testament to their devotion, determination, and love for an adventurous journey.
Mir Shakeel Ur Rahman from Hyderabad and Amal Ahmed from Jeddah started biking together 6 years ago after their marriage. It has been a journey of self-discovery, shared interest and passion that has made their biking experience more surreal.
The couple have rode across Saudi Arabia to Makkah, Jazan, Abha, Hail, Riyadh, Dammam, and Al-Ahsa to promote Saudi tourism, but this time, the duo decided to go on an epic adventure across the GCC states. 'We were excited to start the journey and tackle a route new to us,' said Shakeel.
For Shakeel and Ahmed, this journey is about much more than reaching and discovering new destinations. It is also about the motorcycle friends they have met and respect.
'Actually this journey was aimed to visit our dear friends and celebrate with them their national days. We really wanted to attend Oman's national day, UAE's national days and Bike Week in Bahrain.'
The couple officially left Jeddah at the end of November 2024 to Makkah followed by Taif before riding through Riyadh from where they crossed the border over to Abu Dhabi.
During their stay in Riyadh, the couple met with a number of motorcyclists from all regions of the Kingdom as well as riders from Iraq, and Bahrain. They also participated in the celebration held at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman to mark the 54th Omani National Day.
'On our way to the border of UAE from Riyadh, it was not as easy as we expected because of the sandy weather we faced, but we managed to get through with the great help we received from the Saudi patrol officers who kept us safe all the way,' added Shakeel.
Once they reached Abu Dhabi, the couple contacted Sheikh Suhail Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum, widely known as the 'Father of All Bikers' in the UAE who invited them to celebrate the UAE's 53rd National Day along with other motorcyclists from all over the world at his farm.
'It was a great night with Sheikh Suhail who gathered all bikers from all over the world, it was also a great opportunity to exchange our deep relations with our friends while celebrating the UAE's national day. Actually, we were surrounded by people who were trying their best to help us in any way they can to make our journey safe,' said Ahmed.
Keen to take things further, the pair continued their journey to Oman. Shakeel found riding through Oman particularly enjoyable, from exploring the historic Nizwa Fort and Souq to venturing into the surrounding mountains.
'It was a truly a new experience. It allowed us to explore Oman's diverse landscapes, immerse ourselves in its rich history, and create lasting memories,' he said.
His wife stated that visiting Oman's iconic Jebel Akhdar — the Green Mountain — was probably the highlight of their journey.
She added: 'Our Omani motorcycle friends also were extremely generous with us all the time we were there; they took us on tours to various parts of Oman and also were very helpful in maintaining our bikes.'
After enjoying their stay for few days in Oman, they rode toward Bahrain and attended the annual Bahrain Bike Week, which featured various activities like motorcycle races, concerts, and street festivals.
'We had wonderful days and the event was filled with energy, passion, and the love for two wheels,' said Shakeel.
While they had reached their final destination, they were informed by KALAM's World Record that they had officially set the record for the longest motorcycle expedition as a couple.
'It was a great news for us to be recognized by KALAM's World Record which is an organization that celebrates achievements across various fields. We are extremely happy and I am dedicating this achievement for my wife. We are looking forward to receive this award on Sept. 16, 2025,' said Shakeel.
The couple have no intention of settling down and are already planning their next adventure.