Kazakh cyclist travels 8,000 km to reach Medina
Shymkent man’s 44-day bike journey across eight countries draws massive online support after Saudi police stop him near Mecca
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — A resident of Shymkent has completed an 8,000-kilometer bicycle journey from Central Asia to Medina, documenting a 44-day pilgrimage across eight countries that captured wide attention on social media.
Rolan Anatoly cycled through Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, crossing the Iran-UAE route by ferry before heading toward the holy cities.
In a widely shared video, he said Saudi police stopped him near Mecca, preventing him from entering by bicycle — a moment he described as the most emotional part of his journey.
After he posted the encounter online, an Umrah travel agency contacted Saudi authorities, verified his status as a pilgrim and arranged a car to transport him to Medina.
The company also booked him a hotel so he could rest after weeks on the road.
Throughout the trip, Rolan filmed encounters with people offering water, food and words of encouragement.
His pictures and videos have gone viral on Instagram, drawing praise for his determination and endurance.
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