Suffering in the Desert: Part 2

If at first you don’t succeed in biking 480km around the United Arab Emirates, try again.

Back in June 2019 Kingdom team riders Andre and Miguel tried that ride to break the fastest known time around the UAE. The problem with June was it was peak summer, 45+ degrees Celsius, super high humidity and they were alone.
They suffered and they failed - you can see how that went in Suffering in the Desert: Part 1.

So they tried again - in winter, with a solid crew of riders, the knowledge of how hard it would actually be, and the continued goal of raising money for the Maria Cristina Foundation in Bangladesh.

And they succeeded along with 7 other riders on a crazy, and maybe even crazier than the first time, adventure. They went 373% over the fundraising goal and they nailed some pretty epic Strava segments.
You’ll be able to watch the whole thing on film soon. Until then, enjoy the stills.

Briefing time. 11.45pm with 20 hours of riding ahead.

Briefing time.
11.45pm with 20 hours of riding ahead.

Sunrise and convincing Gregg not to give up.

Sunrise and convincing Gregg not to give up.

Muslim team members praying on a food stop.

Muslim team members praying on a food stop.

Enjoying the sand-sea of the Mleiha desert 200km into the adventure

Enjoying the sand-sea of the Mleiha desert 200km into the adventure

Shift one of driving the lead car done, Chase takes a break before the mountains.

Shift one of driving the lead car done, Chase takes a break before the mountains.

Mountains: every man/ woman to themselves.

Mountains: every man/ woman to themselves.

Lorraine was happy. Always.

Lorraine was happy. Always.

Miguel wasn’t having the best of times.

Miguel wasn’t having the best of times.

Seriously, always.

Seriously, always.

Ok but for real, let’s keep going, we’re barely half way…

Ok but for real, let’s keep going, we’re barely half way…

More mountains. Two of two.

More mountains. Two of two.

But oh how we love the UAE.

But oh how we love the UAE.

Food. Water. Photos. Sums up our worries.

Food. Water. Photos. Sums up our worries.

Hi I’m John-Allen and I go up hills fast.

Hi I’m John-Allen and I go up hills fast.

When you’re down celebrate the fact that you’re here.

When you’re down celebrate the fact that you’re here.

Gregg, the legend. We’re so glad he didn’t give up.PS: Damn Jonny, this shot!!

Gregg, the legend. We’re so glad he didn’t give up.

PS: Damn Jonny, this shot!!

Suns out, tongue’s out.

Suns out, tongue’s out.

That doesn’t sounds right…

That doesn’t sounds right…

Yeah, now Miguel’s on the floor.

Yeah, now Miguel’s on the floor.

And then a sandstorm hit. Properly.

And then a sandstorm hit. Properly.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Our faces don’t show it, but the tailwind was nice.

Our faces don’t show it, but the tailwind was nice.

I promise.

I promise.

Even though, Miguel’s on the floor again.

Even though, Miguel’s on the floor again.

We saw more people on bikes. None of them wanted to join though. I wonder why…

We saw more people on bikes. None of them wanted to join though. I wonder why…

Cotton-candy-man was a cool prop?

Cotton-candy-man was a cool prop?

Riding in Sharjah traffic. Iconic.

Riding in Sharjah traffic. Iconic.

50km to go. Miguel’s ready to be done with this.

50km to go. Miguel’s ready to be done with this.

But yeah, eventually we did it. 468km and 18 hours after that midnight start in Abu Dhabi.

But yeah, eventually we did it.
468km and 18 hours after that midnight start in Abu Dhabi.

8 riders broke this record on this day. 4 more attempted it and 10 others helped us at different stages.

8 riders broke this record on this day. 4 more attempted it and 10 others helped us at different stages.

Lessons learned?

  • Your body is more capable than you think;

  • Your mind is more powerful than your body;

  • Communities are built by sharing lows, not just highs;

  • When it hurts, celebrate;

  • Don’t be ashamed about using help. You’re not superman.

Thanks for reading along. Stay tuned for the #UAEFKT film.