ABU DHABI: A former Dubai resident is cycling to the UAE all the way from Belgium to show his love for the country he calls ‘home’.
Lebanese Bilal Ghomraoui, 24, began the 7,500 kilometre trek from Brussels on October 15 and is likely to reach Dubai on December 7.
Tribute
“This is my way of paying my tribute to the UAE which has given me so much. I was hoping to reach Dubai on the National Day but got delayed due to some unavoidable circumstances,” said Ghomraoui, who spent 13 years in Dubai before relocating to Brussels for higher studies.
Ghomraoui said despite being away from the UAE he is never too far from the country.
“I have some wonderful memories of the UAE and I always cherish them. My parents live in Emirates Hills and I am looking forward to meeting them,” said Ghomraoui, who studied at Al Mawakeb School in Al Garhoud for seven years and then for another five years at Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou in Academic City.
He recently graduated with a masters degree in Energy and Electro-Mechanical Engineering and is looking to pursue his career in the field once the ride is complete.
Way to go
Ghomraoui said he pedalled 750 kilometres from Brussels to Regensburg in Germany during the first leg of the ride.
“I then cycled 2,200 kilometres from Danube River to Istanbul. In the third leg I rode 1,600 kilometres along the shores of Turkey to reach the Black Sea town before travelling 850 kilometres from Rize to Iran. I am now headed to Bandar Abbas (2,000km) from where I will take a boat trip to Ras Al Khaimah (200km). Ghomraoui said he has a little over 1,000 kilometres to go before he reaches the northern shores of UAE early next month.To follow his journey log onto https://www.facebook.com/Thetravellingtriathlete/
