It may seem like a crazy idea to cycle across the GCC if you’ve never even ridden a bike before – but that’s exactly what I did. In 2013, I cycled from Muscat in Oman, crossed into the UAE then through Saudi Arabia, visited Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, and then finished my journey in Jeddah.

I travelled more than 6,000km on two wheels to raise awareness of the Al Jalila Foundation, a philanthropic organisation promoting medical education and research in the UAE.