Category: Oman 🇴🇲

There is something a little self satisfying (read smug) riding into a town early in the morning as the town is awakening, having packed your tent up and got on the road. I rode into Al-Hamra this morning early, there is always a coffee shop open to write this.

Yesterday I woke early and was on the road just as the sun rose above the surrounding mountains. Jabal Shams was my target. I had heard rumours it was a tough climb to accomplish. 50km before the base, then a good 20 to the top.

On the way I passed Wadi Ghul a slash through the mountains to explore on another visit. The surrounding area cultivated to perfection

Then there it was, I had heard rumours that it happened but never seen before… a goat in a tree!

Come on you know that is worth seeing. 😂

Steep, again so steep each twisty turny corner cutting back on itself. I felt good the legs strong and each turn a sight to behold rock formations to inspire any geologist.

Canyons cut deep into the rocks. 😲 WOW.

This route is a pleasure to climb, there are cars but so few in comparison to the horrendousness of the Tourmalet, Ventoux or the Stelvio. No busses, no motorbikes, no motorhomes. I was the only cyclist. Come now before they get here.

Just as you think it is over it turns to a gravel road for about 10km. Washboard topped ready to vibrate you apart. Then the top is just perfect.

What a fantastic ride I celebrated,

My pictures do not do it justice.

I wish I had longer but at 2000meters it was cool.

My shirt looked well used

But ready to use the next day

A great day in the saddle and once again despite a good few hours of going up and the effort that involved I am a very happy man. 😎

I slipped down some stone while getting to a camp spot the other day. Grazed a few bits, but also bent my back brake rotor. I have ridden a couple of quite long days, camping wild.

I am doing an out and back route over Jubal al Akhdar. These initial rise is hard then it gets harder, kicks of 14,15,16%. I started with naivety that I would do it in one… this was not the case I broke like a lamb stopping many times. 2000meters I got to a hotel at the ‘top’, I was pooped. I went in and asked for food. Resturant closed. But I knew there was a town below. The guy said it was all down. 15 km later every third kilometre was up hill at 15%. I finally went round a bend and the near vertical wall stopped me in my tracks. I had run out of water and only had some cream cheese slices to eat. I waved down a car and he promised me this was the last climb then shops and food.

Sleeping by the side of the road. I could not go on.

The next morning still more climbing. Till a cafe at the very top 2500m I think. I ate everything. Then went to the end of the road and turned round and started to ride back.

Finally I found some tools to bend back my brake rotor.

Now for the return climb. Should be easier now.

Happy days

I finally arrived in Muscat, 2 nights in a hotel and off. The road a are wide the pavements are clean it’s sort of perfect. My route took me into the centre of Muscat and as I sat down for coffee and breakfast I struck up a conversation with a guy and his son. I explained my trip, he seemed fascinated. Then as he got up he paid for my breakfast, I protested (not too hard) but to no avail. This is a prime example of the random acts of kindness you get used to in Oman. The people are friendly, but not too friendly, interested but not over zealous.

The national museum is great

My love for Arabic jewlery, carved doors must have stemmed from living in Qatar as a child.

I left Muscat and after a few miles I got this.

The road ended and this started. A Couple Of hours later unfortunately it stopped and I was back on the road.

I started to look for a camp spot finally as it was getting dark I found a ledge. I just could not find a spot shade from the road lights. A loud and bad sleep.

But awake at 5.30 riding by 6. It started fast but by 12 the wind was so strong it had more than halved my speed. I rode to Sur and couldn’t find the energy to ride on to a camp spot. So hotel it was.

The wind was so strong this morning I went back to bed but it quietened to nearly zero, I rode fast to get some miles in.

Then the wind whipping the sand across the road

I was sandblasted to a gritty pulp.

But I decided my route didn’t have enough off road so I moved from this

To this

It’s not hard to make that choice.

The wind still whipping a hoolie I decided to find a camp spot. Now I am hoping for a stealthy approach but the wind whipping the flywheel high in the air I think every Omani from here to Muscat knows where I am.

I’m now in the middle of a desert writing my blog using mobile data that spectacular.