Riding to Qatar from UK

[Sid Horman]

My latest mad idea is to ride to Qatar for the last round of the World Endurance Championship in November. I work with Phase One Endurance and thought it was a great way to combine my love of travelling and bike racing.

I had originally thought of riding my BMW GS which is already prepared for overland travel with Wilbers suspension, Wunderlich seat, 41 litre tank and Metal Mules. I've already travelled in North West Africa on it so I've a bit of experience. I also own an 07 Yamaha R1 similar to the bike that Phase One race. It has been suggested that I ride that to Qatar as it would generate more publicity for the team and its sponsors.

Questions to the wise are:

1. Would the route from Europe be Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi then Qatar?
2. Any problems/restrictions with any of those countries?
3. Would roads through all of those be do-able on an R1?
4. Anything else I should know about these countries?

Many thanks

Sid

[AliBaba]

My family drove Qatar to Norway with a car long time ago. Later I have tried to arrange visa for Saudi in Sudan (with a motorbike) without luck.

Originally Posted by Sid Horman

1. Would the route from Europe be Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi then Qatar?

Yes!

Originally Posted by Sid Horman

2. Any problems/restrictions with any of those countries?

It’s hard to get visa for Saudi (and probably Qatar) when you ride a bike.

Originally Posted by Sid Horman

3. Would roads through all of those be do-able on an R1?

Yes! (But a GS will be more fun in the dunes in Qatar)

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by Sid Horman

2. Any problems/restrictions with any of those countries?

Sid,
As AliBaba says, it's next to impossible to get a visa for Saudi Arabia if you're riding a bike. Yes, it's been done before - in different times - but even as recently as last month, bikers that I know have been refused entry (from the UAE).

Your best bet is to try and get some sort of official invitation/sponsorship from a company within Saudi. If you can do that, you might have a chance.
Stephan

[Sid Horman]

Thanks for replies guys.

Option One may be to get one of our multi national sponsors to help me out. We have Mitsubishi as a sponsor and they have a presence in Saudi so they may be able to say I am working for them in a promotional role.

Failing that, Plan B may be to go via Iran and get ferry across to Qatar? Anyone have any experience of that?

Cheers

Sid