I Enter SAUDI ARABIA!! 🇸🇦 But I’m Being Followed.. 🚔

Day 278. 107km (69090kms) Emerging from the comfy dark store room in which I’d slept, I felt a level of trepidation but also optimism about the day ahead. In the Pakistani restaurant I held out the last of my Dirhams (not counting the D1000 note!) in a gesture of asking what it would buy. I received a paratha, omelette and a chai, but found I couldn’t really stomach it. Instead I wrapped up the remainders and set off for the last 20kms to the border. Dressed already in my Iranian cycling gear, I dumped my empty wine box, added a baggy T-shirt and switched into baggy trousers. The dress code for Saudi Arabia is shoulders and knees covered in loose-fitting clothing. Hijab is not compulsory, but I added one for the border crossing. On the UAE side at the first row of immigration booths I was told the border could not be crossed by bicycle!! WHAT?! They shrugged suggesting I try but that I’d probably be turned back. But after this and my concerns about lack of inward UAE stamp I left the country without issue. On the Saudi side I entered a bustling but orderly room resembling an embassy’s visa office. A coach-load of people charged in and were summarily marched back out by security. Again, I was directed to the front and a man with kind eyes beckoned me, took my fingerprints, photograph, and without any fuss stamped my passport! I was in!! I couldn’t believe how easy it was! But then at the next checkpoint I was directed inside a waiting room where I remained for about an hour. I was given coffee, but no explanation of the delay. My intentions in Saudi were questioned, my Qatari Hayya card checked, my bags rummaged through - was I carrying any jewellery, vapes or other smoking paraphernalia? - water bottles sniffed and then I was set free into Saudi Arabia! Almost immediately - not even 5kms later - I was stopped by traffic police who took my passport for checking. I found the wait excruciating after the delays at the border; there was still 100kms to ride today. But again I was let go. At a service station I was delighted to find a hotel who kindly allowed me to use their wifi and here ANOTHER traffic police man found me (how did he find me?!) checked my plans and told me I would be escorted to the Qatari border. My security detail switched twice over the next 60kms, but there was no wriggling out of it “Saudi drivers are crazy” they told me. “But I’ve cycled from London! Through Italy and Turkey and Iran!” There was no negotiation; “captains orders”. I love the landscape here; the sand dunes are literally rolling into the highway engulfing the ‘WARNING Sand Dunes’ signs. At a later servo break this particular pair wanted to hurry me along whilst also requesting to video me for their social media. Of course I could not film them back. I wonder if escorting me down the highway at 20kms/hr is a fun easy assignment for them or a complete drag. I should’ve stocked up on food here as it turns out the following service station where I camped is nothing more than the shell of a previous Shell. No food, no water, no nothing except for a couple of Bangladeshi lads working the one pump. My security detail checked I was ok, what time I’d be leaving, and if I had food, which I did not. Later, to my utter delight the Bangladeshi lads brought me pre-packaged pastries, and drinks, and stayed for a chat. It all feels quite intense but I cannot say I’ve not been looked after in Saudi Arabia! Phenomenal day! If you enjoy emy vlogs, blogs, and photogs please consider joining me on Patreon 😃 https://www.patreon.com/helsonwheels?... #saudiarabia #travel #roadtoqatar2022