In 2022, I set off on my most ambitious solo cycle touring adventure yet; a 3,600km cycle tour through the heart of the Middle East. Beginning in Israel, I’d cycle through Palestine and Jordan, and cycle across the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia. I’d learn about the cultures, complex histories, and the ongoing conflicts that shape this region from the local people I met along the way.

Cycle touring the Middle East would be my most extreme ride yet, taking me through brutal heat, intense isolation, and a military occupation. In the first leg of this solo cycling journey, I'd pedal through the Negev desert, which covers over half of Israel’s total land area, from Eilat to Mitzpe Ramon. Bikepacking in the scorching heat would be a huge step up from bicycle tours I'd done previously, and I'd struggle to get used to desert cycling.

Bike travel in this part of the world came with it's risks, but it was also an opportunity to learn about some of the most religiously, culturally, and geopolitically important regions on the planet. This is the first episode from the most eye-opening solo bike tour of my life.

Note: This series was filmed one-year before the Israel-Gaza war.

#adventuretravel #cycletour #middleeast #negev #bikepacking

00:00-01:10 - Cycling through the Middle East
01:11-03:01 - Preparing for a Desert Cycle Tour
03:02-04:51 - Disclaimer: This was Filmed One Year Before the Israel-Gaza War
04:52-05:55 - The Middle East Cycling Route
05:56-06:47 - Will my Jewish Heritage be a Problem?
06:48-08:17 - Why Cycle through Israel, Palestine, Jordan, & Saudi Arabia?
08:18-11:06 - Preparing for the Cycle Tour in Tel Aviv, Israel
11:07-24:00 - Cycling through the Negev Desert