Two Indian Men Undertake 3,800 Km Adventure To Reach UAE On Cycles

Two Indian men Muhammed Saleem and his friend Rizwan Ahmad Khan arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a 3,800 km six-month cycling adventure, the media reported.

For Muhammed Saleem, 53, and his friend, Rizwan Ahmad Khan, 42, the journey wasn't easy. They have been cycling under the sun while fasting - and on their way to the UAE, they even lost their bicycles, reported the Khaleej Times.

Mr Saleem and Mr Khan pedalled almost 1,300 km in India, 700 to 800 km in Oman, and 1,700 km in Iran. 

Originally, they planned to cycle their way through India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia with no other means of transportation.

"Our bicycles got lost on our ferry boat ride from Bandar Abbas to the UAE. I was a little frustrated because it was the first day of fasting and it was too hot, But people in Sharjah port went out of their way to help us find our bicycles," Mr Saleem said.

Mr Saleem further said, "We experienced many different cultures, ate different foods and prayed in so many places."

However, getting the visas to Pakistan and Iraq was not easy. "We decided to pedal to Oman, fly to Tehran and pedal all the way to Bandar Abbas (Iran), and then go through the UAE to Saudi Arabia," Mr Saleem told the Khaleej Times on Wednesday.

With the route revision, what was supposed to be a 9,000 km trip was cut down to 6,300 km. They are almost halfway through, with a total of 3,800 km already completed.

Muhammed Saleem and Rizwan Ahmad Khan hope to reach Mecca by July 25, just in time for Haj, which will start on August 9.

This isn't the first time that Muhammed Saleem has embarked on such an adventure. He has been cycling for 35 years now and he was a three-time state champion in India.