Four Dubai bikers become ‘Kings of the Road’ in the UAE
2,500-KM RIDE IN 36 HOURS ATTEMPTED FIRST TIME IN COUNTRY
Agroup of four Dubai bikers completed the ‘Kings of the Road’ challenge last weekend by riding 2,564km around the UAE in 34 hours 50 minutes and 10 seconds, it was announced yesterday.
The challenge, which has only been completed by 61 people worldwide, and has never been attempted in the UAE, involves riders travelling 2,500km on their motorbikes in 36 hours.
The team, which included Dubai residents from India, Palestine, Jordan, and Italy, set off on December 11 at 5am from a petrol station on Al Khail Road, riding 1,768km on day one. After a three-hour rest, the team was on the road once again with the finish line in goal.
Tougher than anticipated
Team leader Vicky M. said while the challenge was harder than he anticipated, determination kept him going. “The biggest challenge is mind control. I realised during the ride that physical fitness and practice are important, but not as much as mental control and pushing your limit,” said Vicky.
The 53-year-old Dubai resident of 28 years from India, said he has been preparing for the ride for years and is happy to be among the first to achieve the challenge in the UAE.
Fellow Italian rider, airline pilot Antongiulio Goracci, 48, said he found that good planning is fundamental for a safe and positive outcome. The team’s route planner said the memorable experience was more challenging than he anticipated, but it is a ride he is planning to do again. “The ride was harder than I thought simply because of unexpected issues, like the intense cold at night,” said Goracci.
The team made 15 stops and completed their goals by touching the border of each emirate before returning to the starting point to end the ride on Saturday.
Vicky along with other riders are now planning their next challenge — the Coast to Coast challenge in the US, where they will attempt to ride a 3,500km route in 48 hours.