Muscat – Omani adventurer Nooh bin Salim al Kalbani is cycling 1,700km from Buraimi to Dhofar in an ambitious journey aimed at promoting sport, domestic tourism and Oman’s rich cultural heritage.

With around 760km already completed, the 30-year-old cyclist is continuing south from Adam, having travelled through several wilayats, including  Buraimi, Mahdah, Yanqul, Ibri, Bahla, Nizwa and Manah.

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Adam, Al Kalbani said the journey was about far more than cycling. For him, the road provides an opportunity to showcase Oman, connect with local communities and document the country’s heritage and traditions.

“Over the past six years, the road has become more than just a journey for me. It has become a space where I express my love for Oman and turn my passion into initiatives that carry meaning and leave an impact beyond the distance,” he said.

His latest initiative, Masir Yarwi Al Hikaya, or ‘A Journey That Tells the Story’, combines cycling with photography, video and documentation.

Travelling by bicycle allows him to experience Oman at a slower pace, stopping to meet residents, explore lesser-known places and hear stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“When you travel slowly, you see details that you may not notice when travelling by car. You have time to meet people, listen to their stories and understand the place,” he said.

Along the route, Al Kalbani is documenting Oman’s landscapes and heritage through photography, aerial footage and video. He is also meeting traditional craftsmen and recording their stories, experiences and connections to their communities.

Preserving these personal accounts, he said, is as important as documenting the places themselves.

The journey, however, has presented its share of challenges. “While cycling, I face strong winds, which can make the journey difficult. Documenting the stories of craftsmen is also not always easy. It requires time, patience and effort,” he said.

Despite the physical demands, he has continued to explore heritage sites along the route, including Falaj Al Saarani, Falaj Buraimi, Mahdah Fort, Bait Al Marah Fort and Ibri Fort.

These stops form an important part of his mission to highlight Oman’s tourism potential and encourage residents to discover destinations within the sultanate.

“I aspire to complete my journey across all parts of the sultanate, in order to raise awareness about sport and support domestic tourism,” he said.

Al Kalbani also hopes his cycling adventures will encourage more people, particularly young Omanis, to adopt an active lifestyle. He sees cycling as both a healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport.

His message to young people, however, goes beyond sport. He wants them to believe in their ambitions and recognise that turning dreams into reality requires patience, discipline and hard work.

The current journey builds on more than six years of cycling across Oman. During that time, Al Kalbani has covered around 13,000km and visited nearly 37 wilayats, using his travels to promote sport, support people with disabilities and showcase the country’s tourism and cultural heritage.

His experiences have also taught him the value of preparation and self-reliance. On the current journey, he carries camping, cooking and clothing equipment, as well as photography gear and tools for bicycle repairs.

As he continues from Adam towards Dhofar, hundreds of kilometres remain, along with new communities, landscapes and stories.

For Al Kalbani, however, the journey is not measured only in kilometres. It is an effort to encourage people to embrace sport, explore their own country and appreciate the traditions and heritage that shape Oman.

“Preserving our heritage, traditions and authentic Omani customs is a responsibility we all share,” he said.

And as his wheels continue south, every kilometre adds another chapter to a journey that began with a bicycle but has grown into a wider mission to tell Oman’s story, one road at a time.