The Trans Aseer Mountain Range (TAMR): Saudi Arabia’s First Bikepacking Route

For our honeymoon in 2010, my wife and I traveled to Egypt and Jordan. On our way to Jordan, we made a stop along the beaches of the Sinai Peninsula to catch our breath after the whirlwind of our wedding, multiple flights, and a massive Eid party in Cairo. From that beach, across the Gulf of Aqaba, I saw some of the most stunning mountains I'd ever laid eyes on. For several days, I found myself staring at them, imagining what it would be like to ride through that landscape on a bike. What I did know for certain was that those mountains were in Saudi Arabia. At the time, though, the country was still closed to tourism, and the idea of exploring them remained just that—an idea.

Running a site like BGDB gives me the chance to meet so many incredible people doing amazing things all over the world. When one of our newest friends, Abe Alkhamees, started posting photos from a ride he was on in Saudi Arabia, my interest was immediately piqued. I reached out to him while he was still en route and asked what he was up to. He told me he was scouting what would become Saudi Arabia's first bikepacking route.

Abe's route is called the Trans Aseer Mountain Range route. Spanning over 1,700 kilometers with more than 38,000 meters of climbing, it traces a wild line south of the mountains I had stared at on my honeymoon. The route takes riders from sea level all the way to Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia's highest peak at 3,000 meters, passing through a mix of paved roads, rugged gravel, high-altitude desert, and optional singletrack along the way.

When Abe got back to the States, we started talking. That's when I realized I didn't actually know much about him or his story—one that's intrinsically linked to the creation of TAMR. So instead of writing this up as just another route profile, we figured it made more sense to treat it like what it really is: an introduction to both Saudi Arabia's first bikepacking route and the person behind it.

Let's go...

Tell us a bit about yourself. How has your transition from Kuwait to the Pacific Northwest influenced your perspective on cycling and adventure?

The transition was and still is life-changing indeed! The cycling culture in Kuwait was pretty much limited to riding bikes around the neighborhood or parks as kids, and honestly, I never thought it would be anything more than that, until I moved to Portland, OR. Within the first week, I bought my first bike in the US, a used hybrid 26er, with 3x9 grip shifters. It was the first step into this adventure that would eventually become all consuming in the most positive ways. The catalyst to adventure cycling came in phases, the first was when my buddy Evan introduced me to Gravel Riding, and quite honestly, a lot of what I know is thanks to his encouragement and guidance.

Next came the exploration, and route building on tools like RWGPS, lt felt like a game sometimes to map out a few lines somewhere in the woods and just go and find out what's out there and if things connect, and if they do, build a bigger network of routes, and explore more, and so on and so forth.

The PNW and the many amazing riders and community members pretty much instilled in me the sense of exploration, not just the know-how, but also the can-do attitude. For example, I've never imagined riding hundreds of miles in a day, traversing multiple biomes and regions, nor have I imagined exploring other countries by bike in the same fashion without their influence.

With all that I learned here, I decided to explore my neck of the woods the same way I did in the PNW and other parts of the world like Spain and Turkey. We all know the feeling of exploring on the bike, the freedom it brings, and the slow immersion in the surroundings, from food, to culture, to history and most importantly the people is just different than if you use other means of transportation, and I wanted to know my own land from that perspective to see what I can find about it and ultimately myself as well.

What inspired you to design the Trans Aseer Mountain Range route in Saudi Arabia?

The inspiration came from a trip I did in 2012 to AlBaha, Saudi Arabia, with a friend of mine. We drove about 16 hours from Kuwait to the Aseer Mountains in SW Saudi, mind you I've only been to the northern part once before, so to go to the greener and more rugged parts was a new experience.

I still recall the feeling to this day, my ears popped as we climbed up the plateau towards the peaks, sand turned to stone, and vegetation got thicker and thicker by the mile. Then suddenly, this massive cloud of fog appeared in the distance, and the next thing I realized we were engulfed by it.

Now what I just described above is nothing short of surreal, and magical to the kid within me who grew up by the sea, in a coastal desert environment. The grass was greener on the other side of the peninsula.

I recalled this trip when I visited Kuwait, first time in a while, especially after seeing the recent uptick with cycling in the region, so the idea of replicating what I did in the PNW was the first thing that came to mind, and it hasn't left since. Like a pulse, I thought about it every day, and started working on a few potential routes, one of which is TAMR (cliff hanger?! Maybe! Stay tuned for other routes to come).

TAMR is more than just a cycling route; it's a catalyst for economic development, cultural preservation, and social cohesion within the Aseer region and the world.

So recap, the inspiration came in two folds, the first was the sense of adventure and all that comes with it, that I learned while living in the PNW, and the second was a sense of wanting to know more about my region of the world, but in a new light from the perspective of someone from the region. There is something about exploring the world on a bike that brings a different, perhaps unique experience to connect with a place. I already know some things about my own part of the world, but the more I explore, the more I realize that I actually don't know that much at all; and I find that beautiful. This part of the world is wrongly known to be “baren, desolate, and harsh living conditions” but what I found after revisiting many of the same places but on a bike this time, was that there's so much more than meets the eye, the history, the environment, the people, so many things to see and experience, so little time.

Saudi Arabia isn't a typical cycling destination—what's the scene like there, and how do you see it evolving?

It's true, Saudi Arabia is probably not the first destination to come to mind for cyclists, however, I know for a fact that will change in the next 5 years. First, Saudi Arabia is MASSIVE, covering about 830K mi2, making it bigger than Mexico for example, and about the same size as Greenland. Putting that in perspective might help understand the biodiversity Saudi has. Although it's true that the Sahara covers a big part of the country, so do many mountain ranges that dominate much of the west of the country. The natural diversity is Saudi Arabia's biggest advantage to becoming the next best cycling destination.

When I started developing adventure routes in Saudi, I split the country based on the dominant terrain, the flat east side, Sandy center, dotted with a few faults, and mountain ranges, and the ultra-rugged west, where the Aseer Mountains stand tall, and finally, the mighty North, the huge plateau, with a mix of mountain and sand. Understanding the terrain of Saudi Arabia will help understand the current scene, and what I see happening next.

I've been tracking the cycling scene in Saudi Arabia since 2018, and while it's still mostly road-focused, that's changing. I got the chance to visit Riyadh a few years ago, and got to know groups like the Riyadh Peloton, who built a fast, disciplined cycling culture, drawing inspiration from international events, such as the tours, classics and even the Saudi Tours. But what caught my attention is the blending of culture and sport. Beyond the speed, it's the camaraderie that stands out—post-ride gatherings, desert tea, and a welcoming community. They play hard, push each other to the limit, and over sometimes. These roadie groups that can be found all over Saudi are pioneering the growth, albeit in a mostly roadie-centric way and that's great.

However, gravel and adventure cycling has also been growing there, not at the same scale, but perhaps the speed that is being done at now, will rapidly increase over the next few years. For example, for the past few years there's been an uptick in MTB events, such as the Titan in NEOM, which tells me that the appetite is there for gravel and adventure cycling. The potential is great for adventure cycling in much of Saudi, but it's greater in the Aseer Mountains, given the terrain, nature, weather, and history.

Is this a ride anyone can do? What kind of weather and conditions should I be prepared for if I want to ride the Trans Aseer Mountain Range?

The vision for TAMR is twofold: a grand depart once a year and a year-round, self-supported bikepacking route. Focusing on the second point, anyone with the right fitness level, bike-handling skills, and a sense of adventure should absolutely take on this challenge once the route is live. That said, the name itself—Aseer, meaning “difficult” or “harsh” in Arabic—gives a fair warning.

The route is a mix of rugged gravel tracks, steep paved climbs, and remote backroads, demanding endurance, technical skill, and preparation. Much of the ride is above 5,000 ft (1,500 m), with long climbs leading toward Al-Soudah, the highest point in Saudi Arabia at 9,900 ft (3,000 m). At these altitudes, thinner air can be a challenge, so acclimatization may be necessary for those not used to high-elevation riding.

Expect unpredictable weather throughout the year, with two distinct seasons shaping the experience. The dry season (November-March) offers clear skies, mild temperatures, and little rain, making it the most stable time to ride, though higher elevations can bring cold nights, occasional frost, and strong winds. Meanwhile, the wet (monsoon) season (April-October) transforms the landscape, bringing humidity, mist, and heavy rainfall, especially in the south. Afternoon storms are common, and roads can become slick or washed out. However, this is also when the mountains are at their greenest and most dramatic.

While TAMR is rideable year-round, riders must choose their season wisely based on their preference for dry, stable conditions versus the lush but unpredictable monsoon months. With proper preparation, the route promises one of the most challenging, rewarding, and scenic cycling adventures in the region.

What are some of the most demanding sections of the TAMR, and how should riders prepare for them?

The demanding sections are plenty, like the Aqabahs “passes”, or the steep sections at elevation, the optional descents from above down steep passes towards hidden gems like Thee ain village, will often result in a penalty of grades in the double digits. Much of the route is very steep, both climbing and descending. The rocky backroads can offer refuge from the steep paved roads at times, but you might be pushing the bike over a few sections depending on how rocky it is. Even the "easier" sections can become challenging if—or when, the fog rolls in, as visibility becomes limited, adding extra difficulty to the ride, however, the fog comes and goes flowing like waves on the beach, dangerous, but a beautiful thing to witness.

Could you share a particularly unforgettable experience from your time exploring the Aseer Mountains?

Although most of not all of my trip gives me instant goosebumps when I recall my time there, two stand out, the first was when I was climbing up Jabal Moomah “Mt.Moomah”, which peaks at around 8600ft. The climb was, you guessed it, steep, in the high double digits, but for some reason that didn't bother me at all, the adrenaline from just existing there overcame any other pain I was going through.

Halfway through the climb, I heard a stampede and a shepherd's call, and a few minutes later I was in the middle of the herd, me climbing, and the goats descending. As I got close to the summit, I noticed an elderly man standing, with his jaw dropped, saying “mashallah, mashallah, mashallah” a blessing used for many occasions, including when someone is shocked or admiring someone else's effort. I stopped to say hello and chat and he told me that he was born and raised on Jabal Moomah, and has never seen a cyclist up there before. He then proceeded to pull me by my hand into his balcony looking over the valley from above and said “let's have tea” I ended up sitting there for almost an hour chatting with him and his cousin about their experience growing up there, and much more.

The people of Saudi are very hospitable, and expect this to happen to you if you ever visit

How do you envision the TAMR impacting local communities, and what role do they play in the journey?

TAMR is more than just a cycling route; it's a catalyst for economic development, cultural preservation, and social cohesion within the Aseer region and the world. By attracting cyclists and tourists from around the globe, TAMR stimulates local economies, supporting businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops, coffee farms and more. This influx of visitors aligns with the Aseer Development Authority's (ADA) goal to position the region as a year-round tourist destination, aiming to attract over nine million tourists by 2030.

Beyond economic benefits, TAMR offers a platform to celebrate and share the region's rich cultural heritage—a resource that the Aseer Development Authority sees as key to the area's tourism growth. The ADA emphasizes activating culture and heritage as a competitive advantage, enhancing community participation in tourism development. Local communities play a vital role in this journey, providing essential services and sharing their traditions, fostering social cohesion among residents and visitors alike. This collaborative effort ensures that the resources of the region are utilized effectively, benefiting both the local population and the tourists who come to experience the unique offerings of the Aseer region.

Are there any upcoming projects or routes you're excited about, and how do they build upon your experiences with the TAMR?

TAMR will continue to take much of my attention and time for sure, and I'm very excited about that! I've started looking into building and connecting it with a northern route that follows one of the Old Caravan Trade (OCT) routes that a few of my ancestors traveled. The OCT connects Mecca to the Levant, through Jordan. But that's all I can say about this at the moment!

Additionally, I want to go back to Oman and explore a loop bigger than the one I rode last November, and go explore Dalkhut and Salalah areas when I can.

For more information on TAMR, visit Abe's (amazing) website here.