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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: The Baha Riders motorcycle club offers tourists a unique perspective of Baha city by turning their passion into a profitable business.  

A group of professional motorcyclists from the city, the Baha Riders are committed to presenting the beauty of Baha whilst in the saddle.

Baha is a raw and organic region, according to Shaiq bin Ali, a spokeswoman for the Baha Riders, “where most of the area has remained unchanged for decades, making it an excellent destination for travelers to witness the beauty of unspoiled nature.”

Situated in the Sarawat Mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, Baha is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Kingdom, with a nice climate and bountiful woodlands all around it.

Baha Riders made the decision to transition from being merely motorcycle enthusiasts to turning their pastime into a business by working with the Hyyak platform to market the opportunity for individuals to visit Baha while riding a motorbike.

“Many tourists purchase the experience of riding a motorcycle because it is a liberating and freeing experience,” Bin Ali told Arab News.

Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

“Many tourists purchase the experience of riding a motorcycle because it is a liberating and freeing experience”

Shaiq bin Ali, spokeswoman for the Baha Riders

The group has accomplished a great deal since its founding and taken part in a range of activities. For example, the team competes in official local events, national and local contests, religious festivals, regional and national competitions, and other official local events.  

Members include medical professionals, engineers, students, retirees, and a wide range of enthusiasts.  

They have also competed internationally; the most recent was in 2023, when the team went to India’s Himalayan region and reached the world’s highest mountain, Everest.

The last foreign trip was an 8,000 km rotation through Jordan, Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf countries.   

“In the last four years, the team has officially and annually organized an event in which it brings together riders from the Arab world in the Baha region. This gathering aims to highlight the Baha region in terms of its historical, archaeological and tourist attractions. This is a belief on the part of the team in its societal role in highlighting Baha and attracting tourists,” Bin Ali said.  

“(Motorcycling) has a great, unique feel because there is no roof over your head, no windows that obstruct the view, and you can enjoy a 180-degree surrounding.”

Bin Ali said that life is only meant to be experienced once and encouraged everyone to do so by taking precautions, donning protective gear, and riding the appropriate bike with the appropriate person. He also noted that although motorcycle culture is relatively new to the community and may still be perceived negatively, it is a unique, enjoyable, and lightweight mode of transportation.

He also stated that the goal of Vision 2030 included focusing on individual sports, observing what benefits young Saudis, and what channels their enthusiasm towards beneficial endeavors.