Hello!
Your expert advice is needed! I'm working on a documentary and we are due to film in the Middle East in the next couple of weeks. We have 2 weeks and will probably finish in Jerusalem. My producer wants us to visit Petra in the desert on the way. I have never ridden before, nor visited the Middle East, so I have some questions!

1. What is a realistic distance to cover in 14 days or per day on a motorbike?

2. I have read that some countries do not allow motorbikes - does anyone know any more about this?

3. If travelling through the desert, do you need specialist equipment on the bike, or is it possible to use one that will also cover roads as well as sand and rougher terrain?

4. What sort of permits/licenses would we require?

5. Is there anything else screamingly obvious I should be aware of?

Thanks very much for your help I look forward to your replies!

Claire

Claire
You don’t mention what kind of documentary it is or what sort of bikes you are using. If the documentary relates to off-road biking then I wouldn’t start in the Jordanian Desert in May. However, if the bike thing is as an extra diversion, you can easily reach any of the major sites in Jordan and Syria using road bikes on tarred surfaces.

The question of distance relates to what kind of riding you want to do, what bike you are riding, as well as your stamina, ability to deal with heat and your mood. I can go a lot further on my BMW GS than on my Honda XR. As a rough guide, look at the map and choose destinations that are between no more than 200 – 400 km apart per day (again dependent on the bike).

Jordan allegedly doesn’t allow motorcycles, the same as Iran, but people ride bikes through them all the time. Just make sure you have all the required documentation including a carnet. You should also be aware of the political implications of having an Israeli stamp in your passport when travelling in the Middle East. Search this site for more details on this if it will be a factor.

I really do not recommend that you “travel through the desert” unless you mean using tarred roads. Riding on sand is not that difficult but takes time to learn and, as I mentioned, it’s not necessary to reach Petra. Knobby tyres for sand wear faster when used on the road, and have less grip on tar. For a first time, I would advise road tyres and road bikes.

You must carry water. Make sure everybody has a CamelBak or similar of their own.
Have fun.

Hi Stephano,

Thanks very much for your advice. as you can tell I am not familiar with bikes and I'm not sure our guests on the show are. the documentary is basically a journey of a lifetime for a celebrity and their companion, and they have chosen the west Bank. I have to plan a route for them to travel and basically find out where they can stay and how they can get there. My producer is very keen for them to use bikes so I'm trying to find out how realistic this is and what sort of restrictions there are, so all this is really useful. We would be looking to get hold of bikes when we are out there so again that looks like it'd be pretty tricky. I think our end point would probably be in Israel, so going from an Arab country there wouldn't be so bad - I've also read about getting officials to stamp a permit to travel rather than a passport which would be very useful. But thanks again, I have been posting on the Travel Tips board too and they've offered more advice. I'll keep you posted!]

Thanks,

Claire

"would be looking to get hold of bikes when we are out there" - small chance of that, I think, unless some kind soul lends you bikes.

The only real option for getting bikes in the Middle East is Dubai (and possibly Saudi Arabia?).

hi claire
wish you good luck.i dont think it will be that hot in mid.east during may or early june
well i,m in egypt if you need any help just let me know

A Salam a'alek Omar

Seems Clair went off the forum. I enterd a long reply in the Hints and Tips page on the 6th with no comment.
Yoni

__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

Yoni