UAE | Leisure
Solo cyclist makes his way to Beijing
Cycling around the world is already a big enough challenge. But cycling half the world on your own an even bigger one.
- By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
- Published: 22:23 May 8, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
- Tim Bogdanov, a cyclist from Sweden who is travelling around the world on two wheels, in Dubai. He said it was amazing to see how the desert had been transformed into a modern city.
Dubai: Cycling around the world is already a big enough challenge. But cycling half the world on your own an even bigger one.
Tim Bogdanov, 23, and two friends planned to cycle from Gothenburg, Sweden, around the world, but now he is continuing the journey to Beijing alone.
He hopes to reach the Chinese capital in time for the Olympic Games.
Bogdanov was in Dubai last week on his way to Iran. From there he will cycle through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and then on to Beijing.
"We split up in Addis Ababa because my friends were tired after crossing the desert in Sudan.
"They went down to Cape Town and now I'm on my own, sticking to the plan to reach Beijing for the Olympic Games. I hope I'll get there in time, but there's lots of things to see on the way.
"Hopefully I'll make it, but it's hard to say when you're travelling by bike," he said.
Bogdanov had his bike serviced at a bike shop while in Dubai and stayed for a couple of days to process visas for his ongoing trip. He rested while he was here and also visited some places of interest.
"Dubai is amazing. It's great to see how they turned the desert into a modern city. These are the greatest buildings I have seen in my life," he said.
"I also really enjoyed Syria. It was the first Arab country I have been to and the people were great and really hospitable. In Sweden, the only thing you see about the Arab world is the war in Iraq on the news, so it was amazing to see these Arab countries in reality," he said.
So far, Bogdanov has cycled approximately 11,500km, and has had only two punctures.
His cycling compatriot Nino Jonsson, however, wasn't so lucky and had a cracked wheel while in Turkey.
He had to travel 400km back to Istanbul to wait for a new wheel to be delivered from Sweden, because the back wheels are a special type that cannot be replaced easily.
Bogdanov has also cycled through Yemen and Oman, but enjoyed the relaxing time in Dubai.
"I spent some time in Dubai city. I also went to Ski Dubai, because in Sweden I used to go skiing for two or three weeks a year and I haven't been for a while, so it was nice," he said.
He has an English blog which can be found at: www.romankonovalov.com/category/around-the-world-by-bicycle.
More from UAE Leisure
More from UAE
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
