From Iran to Dubai into the desert

Location: Al Ain
Km on the clock: 8,217
 
The night on the cruise from Iran to the Emirates was everything else but comfortable. But that was my fault since I was too cheap and only bought the cheapest ticket possible. My attempt to sneak into a cabin and to find a free bunk wasn't successful. Instead I squeezed myself in between some tight benches near the board cafeteria. :D

Approximate scrible of my route

As soon as we arrived in Sharjah, all passengers were guided to a small white painted wooden building for the immigration process. We had to wait several hours in the waiting area which provided a water dispenser a disgusting piss smelling toilet. Women and men had to sit separate from each other - even married couples. Frowning looking guards made sure that everyone followed the rules and that nobody would leave the building.

Someone told me that it would take longer today because the immigration officials were having at lunch. While the fine immigration gentlemen enjoyed their four hour lunch break, there was no chance for the passengers to get any food. There wasn't even a vending machine. Luckily Patrick and I bought enough snacks before departure.

After we got our country entry stamp we had to wait another hour until we were allowed to leave the building and to pick up our bicycles and luggage. The luggage was scattered and piled up in the arrival hall. The whole immigration torture finally took an end after another hour as we finally got through the luggage control. So far I didn't feel very welcomed in this country. The whole trip from check-in in Bandar Abbas until here took 24 hours.

Patrick and I attached our panniers onto our bicycles and cycled separately out of Sharjah since we had different destinations in Dubai but agreed to stay in contact and to cycle together to Oman in one week.

According to the maps it was only about 45 kilometers from Sharjah to my friends place on the Palm Jumeirah. I told Robin that I'd be there in a couple of hours but I quickly learned that Dubai is everything else but a bicycle friendly city and that it would take longer than expected. Especially to turn left was a nightmare. Cars rushed past me while I tried to make it somehow across the three to five lanes to the left turn lane. Navigating through this traffic madness was it too stressful so that I decided to take the metro after a while. A metro employee told me that bicycles weren't allowed on the metro and that I should get a taxi instead. I thought that was ridiculous and cycled to the next station to try again to get on the train.

I asked the lady behind the counter for a ticket and she said: "Bicycles aren't allowed on the metro. You need to take a taxi."
"Why can't I take my bicycle on the metro", I asked.
"These are the rules", she said.
Really!? These are the rules is the explanation?

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Fritze (@fritzechris) am Jan 14, 2020 um 7:47 PST

I flagged down a taxi outside of the station and asked the driver for the price for me and my bicycle.
"Bicycles aren't allowed on the taxi", said the driver. "Try the metro."
Uhm yeah! Brilliant idea!

For a moment I thought I was on the UAE version of the hidden camera TV show. Slightly irritated I jumped back on my bike and kept pedaling. My navigation app lead me a down wide alley with a huge mansion at the end of it. I already knew that I was wrong there but wanted to give it a try anyways. Just to see what will happen. :D

A security guard in a suit got out of his white SUV towards the end of the alley and approached me.
"You can't cycle here", he said in a very friendly way.
I played a bit stupid. "But my app says that's the way to the Palm."
He laughed. "I know. That happens a lot. It's an error with all the navigation apps. Cyclists come this way every day but this is Zabeel Palace so you've to go around it."
"Can't I take the shortcut through the garden? I'm sure nobody will even notice."
He still laughed. "Sorry! You must go around." Then he explained to me in a very calm and friendly manner which way to go. I turned and made my way around it.

My phone rang. It was Robin.
"Where are you now?"
I gave him my location.
"Alright. Just stay there. I just left the office. I'll come and pick you up."

About half an hour later we cruised in his big red Jeep through Dubai downtown to his place. It was such a relief not to cycle in this traffic madness anymore.

Thanks to Robin I spent the most luxurious week of my entire trip thus far. Every morning I woke up with a great sea view and the Marina skyline in the background. After breakfast I spent some time swimming and chilling at the pool and during the days I explored the city.

Dubai is for sure an extraordinary place. There are malls everywhere with all international and luxury brand stores you can think of. The prices are also extraordinary for bicycle traveler living on a budget. One day I had to pay almost 10 Euro for only one package of cereals, a bottle of orange juice and a few bananas.

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Fritze (@fritzechris) am Okt 27, 2020 um 11:23 PDT

The metro provides a first class cabin - called Gold Class - and the view from Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world - makes you realize what a massive place Dubai is. I was even lucky talk to Gulf News about my journey and fundraising campaign. Thank you again Falah for this opportunity and thanks Robin for having me! That was absolutely amazing!

Patrick and I filled all the empty pannier space with supplies and pedaled out of Dubai. The further we got out of the city the less traffic there was. Already in the suburbs it was a way more relaxing ride than in the city. But to turn left kept being a challenge. :D

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Two days later, after a rather monotonous ride, we arrived at the border town Al Ain. The roads coming here seemed endless long. Every time it felt like ages until we arrived the next turn just to continue on another endless straight road on which we had to deal with strong head winds. The sand that constantly wafted across the road blew straight in our faces. The greatest highlights were for sure our excessive lunch breaks to get out of the burning sun and the appearance of camels.

At some point the monotony made us imitating camel noises as soon as we discovered a herd. Fortunately for us, the desert is almost deserted. We saw cars or trucks already from miles away and count them on one hand throughout the day. The traffic volume was the complete opposite compared with Dubai. I'm sure that if another human being would have heard our camel roaring, this person would have gotten the impression that we suffered from a heat stroke. :D

After we refilled our supplies at a supermarket in Al Ain and another long lunch break right outside of it, we pedaled towards the Omani border knowing that there was another challenging one week ride through the desert ahead of us until we'd arrive Muscat.

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Fritze (@fritzechris) am Okt 29, 2020 um 9:30 PDT

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