Shymkent Cyclist Pedals 8,000 km to Mecca

Roland Anatoly, a resident of Shymkent, completed an extraordinary journey of approximately 8,000 kilometers by bicycle to the holy city of Mecca, taking 49 days to reach his destination.

His route spanned several countries: Kazakhstan – Russia – Georgia – Armenia – Iran – United Arab Emirates – Qatar – Saudi Arabia. To cross the sea between Iran and the UAE, he took a ferry.

However, he could not enter the sacred city of Medina directly by bicycle. Local police stopped him just a few kilometers from his goal, marking the most challenging and emotional stage of his journey, according to Roland.

The situation resolved unexpectedly. A company organizing Umrah trips, having learned of Roland’s journey through Stories, contacted Saudi authorities to explain his purpose. As a result, a vehicle was sent to transport him to Medina, with accommodation and rest provided.

Along the way, Roland received support from locals in various countries—some offered water and food, others gave dates or spiritual encouragement.

His journey has received widespread attention on social media, with many Kazakhs praising his perseverance and spiritual dedication.