Leaving for the Middle East and Africa soon!
Early December, Kamran will depart for the Middle East and Africa! Can you help him by connecting with your friends along the route? Kamran would love to meet them. Have you cycled there too? Please leave a comment on his Instagram with your recommendations and things to do.
Kamran Ali
Santos Travelmaster 3+
Kamran: “Since starting my first bicycle tour from Germany to Pakistan in 2011, one continent that has always been on my mind is Africa. I have been reading books about it for about ten years, but I didn't feel confident to face the challenge.
“After having cycled Europe, Asia, and South & North America, next up, I would love to experience Africa and the Middle East for their rich culture, hospitality, and wild landscape.
“So, at the beginning of December, I am flying to Oman and starting my trip from there. From Muscat, I plan to cycle to UAE, and Saudi Arabia and then ferry across the Red Sea to Sudan. From Sudan, I plan to pedal down to South Africa.
“How long will it take? Maybe, a year or two? I have no idea. I haven't planned. All I want is to break free and become lost again on the road. I want to listen to the stories of strangers. I want infinite landscapes to fill my eyes and soul. I want to go so far away that I cannot even hear myself.
“Deep inside, I have the desire to suffer as well. To dissolve my ego and start a journey toward nothingness again.
“I want to go back to where it all started, tracing the footsteps of the first human species who left Africa with a dream to have a new life. I want to experience a moment of silence there. Above all, I want to know the beliefs of people I meet along the way and find out what connects and divides us on the human level.”
Kamran Ali
Santos Rijder Kamran, ook bekend als KamranOnBike, is een Pakistaanse wereldfietser. Tot nu toe heeft hij ruim 63.000 kilometer gefietst door 58 landen en de teller loopt nog steeds op. Samen met zijn Travelmaster 3+ is hij nu onderweg van het Midden-Oosten naar het zuiden van Afrika. Hij heeft zichzelf geen tijdslimiet gesteld maar laat zich vooral leiden door de natuur en de inspirerende mensen die hij onderweg ontmoet. Dat bepaalt zijn route.
Begin 2000 studeerde Kamran in Duitsland en vatte toen het plan op om ooit terug naar Pakistan te fietsen. Het duurde maar liefst tien jaar voordat hij dat ook daadwerkelijk deed. Inmiddels is fietsen zijn manier van leven geworden: “It is about leaving the materialistic world behind and becoming nothing. It is about embracing the unknown and discovering strength in vulnerability.”
