Cycling into Saudi Arabia; witnessing NEOM Line, Vision 2030 and Bedouin hospitality | Tieran Freedman

Video Description (from Youtube)

I cycled alone across Saudi Arabia.

For three months, I would pedal thousands of kilometres across the Arabian desert, travelling through one of the most misunderstood and rapidly changing countries on Earth.

From the desert megaprojects of NEOM and the transformation plans of Vision 2030, to remote Bedouin villages, ancient oasis valleys, camel herders, and extraordinary hospitality deep in the desert, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to immerse myself in Saudi culture.

In this episode, I cycle from the Red Sea coast into the Hejaz mountains, exploring modern Saudi Arabia while trying to understand a country often defined abroad by its authoritarian government, religious conservatism, oil wealth, and human rights controversies.

Along the way, I stay in mosques and desert farms, learn about Bedouin culture, explore the oasis valley of Al Disah, and witness the enormous transformation projects reshaping the kingdom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On my cycling journey across Saudi Arabia, I’d attempt to understand one of the most fascinating and misunderstood countries in the Middle East, the good and the bad.

#SaudiArabia #NEOM #Vision2030 #MiddleEast #TravelDocumentary


00:00 Cycling Across Saudi Arabia
01:47 Sleeping in a Saudi Mosque
03:45 Nervous About Travelling Saudi Arabia Solo
05:20 Cycling Through NEOM
09:00 Changes in Saudi Arabia: Tourism, Religion & Vision 2030
10:50 Cycling Into the Hejaz Mountains
16:32 Staying on a Saudi Desert Farm
19:38 The Oasis Valley of Al Disah
20:29 Saudi Hospitality in the Desert
25:21 Cycling Further Into the Arabian Desert
28:42 Bedouin Hospitality Explained
31:29 Life in a Bedouin Village
32:40 Baking Traditional Bedouin Arbood Bread
35:56 Searching for the Giant White Camel
41:36 Leaving the Desert Farm
45:31 Hosted by Saudi Police in AlUla
46:44 Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Revolution
48:50 Visiting a Saudi Restaurant
49:53 A Traditional Saudi Picnic
51:46 Reflecting on Saudi Hospitality

🎥 Filming Equipment

Mirrorless Camera - Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4uWfQwV

Lens - Sony 18-135mm: https://amzn.to/4eFXVVe

Action Cam - GoPro 13: https://amzn.to/4w8ZEd1

Shotgun Mic - RØDE VideoMic NTG: https://amzn.to/4b6Llxg

Small Tripod - GorillaPod: https://amzn.to/4gBu8j2

Large Tripod - Benro RoadtripPro: https://amzn.to/4vslFmU

Drone - DJI Mini 5 Fly More Combo: https://amzn.to/4eI4Jlq

🚲 Bike Equipment

40L Rear Panniers: https://amzn.to/44oZAK2

12.5L Front Panniers: https://amzn.to/3Sp5RTx

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