Muscat – To support people with hearing disabilities, cyclist Nooh Salim al Kalbani, 26, from the wilayat of Ibri in Dakhliyah set off on a 1,700km cycling adventure through several wilayats across the country.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Kalbani informed that his trip started on September 3 covering the wilayats of Musandam, Shinas, Liwa, Buraimi, Dhank, Ibri, Nizwa, Manah, Adam and Haima and will end in Salalah on Wednesday.

“My effort aims to shed light on the needs of people with hearing impairment. Currently more than 700 individuals need hearing aids. I also wanted to promote tourism in these wilayats, particularly the little known Al Serb season of Dhofar which follows khareef,” Kalbani said.

The tourist sites on his route included Falaj al Saara, forts in Khasab, Shinas, Bahla, Ibri, Liwa, Bukha, Saham and Nizwa, besides the harat in the wilayat of Adam.

He is keen to continue embarking on such cycling adventures to spread the culture of cycling in Omani community. “Such activities are helpful for social causes. I urge Omani youngsters to initiate such voluntary efforts for the betterment of society.”

He described the strong winds he encountered during his cycling trip as the biggest challenge, requiring steely determination and patience to overcome.

“I prepared for two months before setting off on the trip. I worked on my fitness level and cycled at different times of the day, five hours daily, during the preparations.” For the trip, he carried along safety equipment, a tent, water, beverages and canned food.

Kalbani started long-distance cycling in 2018 and has been on a 900km adventure covering various governorates to promote khareef, starting in Nizwa and ending in Dhofar. “However, my latest ride ending on Wednesday is the longest. I cycle from 9am to 6pm every day, covering distances of over 100km daily. I visited popular tourist sites, forts, castles, old markets, aflaj and wadis en route.

“I hope the community extends financial support to people with hearing impairment.”

His plans for the near future include a two-day trip in Jebel Shams in December to promote Omani professions like honey collection, sheep herding and weaving.