Cycling in Saudi

Harpagon
Harpagon Posts: 8
edited February 2014 in Road general
Hi all,

I have just been offered a job in Saudi and I was wondering if anyone has any experience of road cycling in Saudi? Was just wondering if it was worth packing up my road bike and taking it with me or is it a bit of a mad idea!

Any experience would be great!

Thanks
Henry

Comments

  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,810
    I presume all you could do is ride it around the compound you re in no?

    Dunno, that was the Saudi Aramco way...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Depends where you will be - if in Riyadh, get in touch with this lot..

    http://www.riyadhwheelers.com/
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    Riyadh Wheelers all the way

    Spent some time out there (1.5 years) and loved it. Don't limit yourself to cycling tho, try triathlong as well. It's even more social and there's about an 80% athlete crossover between the disciplines.

    Not too much going on in the summer but a lot of action from Oct to March IIRC. Get used to getting up at 5 or 6 am to beat the cars/heat.

    Locals can get a bit chippy with men in short, tight clothing. But for every idiot there are 10 people who are completely curious and supportive.

    Note that it's run like fight club. You have to know someone to get to the rides b/c it's haram for unmarried women to be hanging with un-related men, worse b/c there's skimpy clothing incolved.

    Go for it, a year or 2 in the Magic Kingdom will be positive (inshallah) and memorable. I loved it!
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    a mate of mine has just gone out there and judging by his Strava account he's finding plenty of opportunities to ride...

    http://www.strava.com/athletes/1840071

    He's joined Riyadh Wheelers too.
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • john1967
    john1967 Posts: 366
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    No they're not...

    my mates wife on Strava...http://www.strava.com/athletes/1858864
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    john1967 wrote:
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.

    Women are not banned in Saudi - there are loads of them there.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    It's fine, read what I said, they hold the races and tri events from the prying eyes of the mutawah.

    If you've not heard of the mutawah, think Tipper Gore circa 1985, but male, and less well dressed.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • Moonbiker
    Moonbiker Posts: 1,706
    Is it all euro ex-pats ot any locals cycle aswell?
  • Harpagon
    Harpagon Posts: 8
    Thanks for the advice guys, I think I will take my bike with me and hopefully I can find a good rugby club as well.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    Very few locals. Very few. I would say not too many Euros, they're certainly not the overwhelming majority.

    Amongst the sporty set you'll have US, Canadians, Saffers, some Aus and Kiwis, lots of Philipinos. Brits are there due to British Aerospace (or whatever it's called now) but quite a few French and Germans too. This was very much 10 years ago for me.

    It's good to have the mix.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • Iamnot Wiggins
    Iamnot Wiggins Posts: 685
    john1967 wrote:
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.

    You should be banned on the basis of your grammar.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Iamnot Wiggins wrote:
    john1967 wrote:
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.

    You should be banned on the basis of your grammar.

    How about adding a smiley to your comment? Something like this :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Iamnot Wiggins wrote:
    john1967 wrote:
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.

    You should be banned on the basis of your grammar.

    How about adding a smiley to your comment? Something like this :wink:

    That would suggest he was joking though.......
  • Iamnot Wiggins
    Iamnot Wiggins Posts: 685
    bobtbuilder wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Iamnot Wiggins wrote:
    john1967 wrote:
    It's fine AS LONG AS YOUR NOT A WOMAN because there banned.

    You should be banned on the basis of your grammar.

    How about adding a smiley to your comment? Something like this :wink:

    That would suggest he was joking though.......

    Exactly. Not knowing the difference between your and you're and their and there is as good as a criminal offence.

    Perhaps a simile face would be required there?

    12648.jpg
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Iamnot Wiggins wrote:
    Exactly. Not knowing the difference between your and you're and their and there is as good as a criminal offence.

    Perhaps a simile face would be required there?

    I'll put it in another way, so that it's clearer: would you use the same words if the user was in front of you and twice your size or maybe you'd rather shut up? :twisted:
    left the forum March 2023
  • Iamnot Wiggins
    Iamnot Wiggins Posts: 685
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Iamnot Wiggins wrote:
    Exactly. Not knowing the difference between your and you're and their and there is as good as a criminal offence.

    Perhaps a simile face would be required there?

    I'll put it in another way, so that it's clearer: would you use the same words if the user was in front of you and twice your size or maybe you'd rather shut up? :twisted:

    Of course I would, Ugo. I don't say one thing hidden behind a screen and something else to ones face. If it ends in a bit of an argument then so be it but I stand by my views and opinions as I know you do. :D:):(:o :shock: :? 8) :lol: :x :P :oops: :cry: :evil: :twisted: :roll: :wink: :!: :?: :idea: :arrow: :|

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