26 March - 04 April 2027
The first unsupported ultracycling race across Saudi Arabia’s most extreme mountain range
Arabia Divide / أرابيا ديفايد
Set against the dramatic Aseer Mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia, the ultracycling race takes riders on a non-stop, unsupported crossing through landscapes few have ever imagined.
The Kingdom’s first unsupported ultracycling race
The Aseer Mountains, our host terrain, take their name from the Arabic word “Aseer,” meaning “extreme difficulty.” Here, riders will face some of the most demanding and unique cycling routes in the Kingdom.
Race Introductions
Since opening to international tourism in 2019, Saudi Arabia has begun sharing its landscapes and culture with the world. Arabia Divide aims to be part of that journey, inviting riders from around the world to experience a side of the Kingdom that goes far beyond the desert stereotype.
We've dedicated ourselves to exploring, riding and refining this route, and are proud to share with you an event that is challenging, rewarding and unlike anything else in the region. The first edition will follow a 1,400 kilometres route with approximately 30,000 metres of elevation gain. It begins in the coastal city of Jazan, on the shores of the Red Sea in south-west Saudi Arabia, before heading north through the Aseer Mountains to finish in Jeddah.
Expect mixed terrain, welcoming locals, and hike-a-bike sections, as you enjoy the winding roads of Fayfa and Al Hashr, spend days riding above 2,500 metres, and pass remote mountain villages, such as Al Habala, which are built into the cliff faces.
One of the biggest misconceptions around our race is that Saudi Arabia is home to extreme desert temperatures far too hot to host an ultracycling race. This is simply not the case. The Aseer Mountains remain cooler than much of the Kingdom. At altitude it has daytime temperatures in March around 22°C, with cool evenings that can drop to 10°C. It's only as you start and finish at the coastal cities of Jazan and Jeddah that you'll ride in warmer, more humid conditions of around 30°C.
Saudi Arabia
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is arguably undergoing more rapid change than any other nation in the world right now. Sports, and cycling in particular, is certainly no exception, driving much of the locals adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle. The Kingdom has seen a dramatic rise in new events, clubs and riding communities, creating an exciting environment for cyclists.
Hence, by bringing together domestic and international riders for the first ever ultracycling race in the Middle East, Arabia Divide has been designed to become part of that story. We are hosting the race two weeks after the end of Ramadan, allowing Muslim riders time to return to their normal training, nutrition and recovery routines before joining. As we look to grow the ultracycling community, note that residents of the Gulf will recieve a 10% discount.
Among the change is the rapid legal reform as it relates to women’s rights. In recent years we have seen the normalisation around female cycling, with many female-only cycling groups and races growing in popularity across the Kingdom, along with numerous female professional athletes representing Saudi Arabia on the international stage. We understand this is a new and growing segment within cycling and have reserved 25% of our tickets for women, and are proud to have local female participation in the organisation and delivery of the race.
Whilst Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid change, its traditions around hospitality remain deeply rooted. Saudis are known for their warmth, generosity, and pride, so we expect riders will be frequently greeted with smiles and offerings of water, dates and qahwa (Arabic coffee) during the race.
Arabia Divide | Edition 01
Includes: Race Logistics (2 staffed checkpoints, support cars, medical car to liaise with local emergency services, 24/7 race HQ), Race Brevet Card, GPX tracker, Bike box transfer to the finish line
£460 solo or £690 for pairs
For our first edition of Arabia Divide, we’re taking personal requests. To join us, simply ‘Request to Race’, share a few details about yourself, and we’ll be in touch for a short conversation before confirming entries.
Request to Race
* 10% discount for residents of the Gulf **25% of tickets reserved for women
Frequently Asked Questions
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The route is roughly 40% smooth tarmac, 20% broken tarmac, 25% light gravel, 10% sand and 5% off-road. We discourage road bikes. A gravel bike or hardtail mountain bike with 40mm+ tyres and strong brakes is the safer choice — several of the climbs run steeper than 20%, in both directions.
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One of the biggest misconceptions around our race is that Saudi Arabia is far too hot to host an ultracycling race. This is not the case, the Aseer Mountains remain cooler than much of the Kingdom. At altitude it has daytime temperatures in March around 22°C, with cool evenings that can drop to 10°C. It is only as you start and finish at the coastal cities of Jazan and Jeddah will ride in more warm and humid conditions of around 30°C.
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Yes. Female participation is encouraged, with 25% of our tickets reserved for women.
The narrative around women in sport is actively changing in Saudi Arabia. Women have been able to cycle in the Kingdom since 2013 and there are significant efforts being made to increase female participation in sports. As well as local particpation, e.g female-only cycling clubs, the Kingdom is also some of the major female sporting events. Including a domestic football premier league, an international women’s tennis tournament, and professional women’s golf tour.
We do ask that both women and men attending are respectful of the local customs and general more conservative way of living compared to Europe. Lycra is of course widely accepted to be worn by both sexes, especially when doing sports, however, we ask that, for example, shoulders are hidden, riding topless is avoided and going to the bathroom in nature is done in extreme privacy away from sight. -
Yes. Sports clothing, in this context lycra, is accepted to be worn by both sexes. It can be seen worn by both locals and internationals (e.g. competitive athletes or local riders) alike.
However, we do ask that both women and men attending are respectful of the local customs and general more conservative way of living compared to Europe. Therefore, we ask that:shoulders are hidden
riding topless is forbidden
going to the bathroom in nature is done in extreme privacy away from sight
Visiting mosques (e.g for bathroom etc.) in lycra is done with extreme caution. Ensure to enter the section of your gender
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You carry or source everything yourself — food, water, repairs, a place to sleep. No team cars, no private support crews, no help arranged in advance. If something breaks, you fix it or find a workshop using only what's publicly available, the same as any other rider.
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Yes! Our parent company Haraka Baraka reguarly organise cycle touring trips in the north of the Kingdom and is happy to host bespoke trips along the same route as the race. Enquire for a bespoke touring trip to the Aseer Mountains - https://www.harakabaraka.co.uk/bespoke
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Every rider carries an official or approved GPS tracker, registered to the live tracking platform before the start. Participation without an active, properly configured tracker is not permitted. Anyone can follow the race live, in real time.
A dedicated emergency button on your tracker sends your real-time coordinates directly to the event safety team, race headquarters and medical/rescue services. A long press (3–5 seconds) prevents accidental triggers.
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You can still finish the race and be certified as a Finisher, but you won't be included in the General Classification. To be ranked, all four checkpoints need to be reached within their cut-offs: 72 hours to CP1, 144 hours to CP2, 240 hours to the finish.
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Yes. Pairs ride under the same rules as solo riders, applied to the pair as a whole — no outside help for either of you, but you can share equipment and draft off each other.
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A valid photo ID (passport, driving licence or ID card) carried at all times, a signed waiver, a medical certificate confirming you're fit for high-intensity endurance activity, and proof of insurance covering the event.
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Arabia Divide is a serious undertaking. We'd recommend some prior experience with multi-day, self-supported bikepacking before taking this on. You'll need to be comfortable making decisions about food, sleep and safety on your own, often while exhausted.
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Front, middle and back support cars move with the field throughout the race — covering safety, fair-play monitoring and live media from the route.
