Late yesterday afternoon (19 February 2012) about 50 motorbike riders on Harley-Davidsons cruised into Fujairah’s International Marine Club, accompanied by their sponsors, a doctor, a mechanic and other support crew in a truck that carries two spare bikes.
They are from ‘The Grand Lyon Harley Davidson Rally’ and they are currently riding the ‘Incense Route’ (La Rout de l’encens) which takes them through the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman in eleven days (11-21 February 2012).
French-Based
They come from different parts of the world but the initiative comes from the ‘General’ (rally leader) who is based in France. Most of they tourists are French speaking but they have an official interpreter to aid communication.
Frenchman, Jean Pierre Guerard, was making his eighth tour, having previously visited Senegal, Gambia & Guinea, Burkina Faso, Turkey & Georgia, Algeria & Tunisia, Israel and Kenya & Tanzania.
BYO Bike
Guerard says there are different tours around the world, mainly sponsored by people in the USA and Australia, but he prefers this tour group because everyone brings their own bike rather than hiring vehicles.
“I prefer to ride my own bike,” Guerard said. “It is seven years old and has 112,000 kms on the clock. The tour costs me 6,000 Euros, which includes travel, the transportation of my bike, hotel accommodation and petrol. I simply bring enough money to pay for drinks, postcards and souvenirs.”
Joe Verboogen from Belgium is the tour’s cameraman. He rides with a helmet camera and carries a movie camera to shoot footage for Liberty TV.
Experiencing Emirati Hospitality
Major Ahmed Ibrahim Mohamed Darak, Managing Director of the Fujairah International Marine Club, welcomed the guests to Fujairah, saying it was a delight to welcome 50-60 people from all over the world. He said the tour gives the travelers a good opportunity to see Fujairah and experience the hospitality of the Arab people.
Indirect Marketing
Major Ahmed told Fujairah in Focus that out of this visit some of the guests will talk about Fujairah and maybe return with their family and friends.
Promoting Fujairah and the Emirates
The Major continued:
“One of our goals as a Marine Club is to market Fujairah. Sometimes we will do this on the water and other times we will do it on the land. At the end of the day we are here to promote Fujairah and the UAE.”
Refreshments
Arabic coffee, dates, cools drinks, and other morsels were provided and served by the Coral Suites Hotel in Fujairah led by Furqan Shah, Coral’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
Finale
The riders tooted their horns and raised their hands in appreciation as they departed the Fujairah International Marine Club heading for the Miramar Hotel in Al Aqah. There they will stay for two nights and enjoy a half-day boat ride out in the Fujairah waters from Dibba.
Tomorrow (21 February 2012) is their last day on the Incense Route.
Take a Look
Some photos of the riders and their Harleys can be viewed in this photo album.
Further
The Fujairah International Marine Club Website.
The Fujairah International Marine Club Facebook Page.
6 Reasons Why the X-Cat Powerboat Race in Fujairah Will Be Well Worth Watching, FIF, 8 February 2012.
One Dirham a Day at Fujairah Marine Club Gets All These Benefits, FIF, 1 May 2011.
Geoff Pound
More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.
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