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Cycling In Dubai

In an effort to keep fit, active and get outdoors loads more people around the world and in Dubai are taking up cycling. Pedal power is a great way to get around and has many health benefits. The Dubai government are currently installing a lot of cycle paths- with a great one already from Arabian Ranches to Bab Al Shams- an amazing ride.

Also try out the Meydan Cycle Park- a converted camel racing track. The Meydan Cycle Park features including 3 separate cycling tracks with varying distances 4 km, 6 km and 8 km that can be used for running and cycling.
There is also a children's cycling proficiency course with roundabouts and cross junction including RTA type road signs to educate on public road usage.

family cycling in dubaiHere are some other great and safer places to be recreational cycling…

The Lakes
Arabian Ranches
Motor City
Mushriff Park, Mirdif
Dubai Autodrome

If you’re a beginner it is really not advisable to cycle on main roads so try and find quieter areas with little traffic or traffic that is calmed by speed bumps.

Always, always wear a helmet- you can get these from where you bought your bike or many sports shops and vary in price from 150 AED to over a 1,000 AED.

Always have lights if cycling at night and make sure you wear high visibility or reflective clothing... there have been incidents of cyclists being knocked off their bikes recently so please take care!

ExpatWoman at the weekly Dubai Autodrome Cycle Safe Night

We thought we’d go and try this one out for you so here’s our review:

We bought bikes about a month ago and have been pootling round various parts of Motor City building up to venturing on to the track at Dubai Autodrome. So helmets on and off we cycled- we hadn’t realized the entrance was round the back of the track near to Emirates Road so actually did about 3 km before we got there!

Follow the signs that say Race & Drive to get to the right place- it is popular so luckily we were able to follow cars with bikes in the back of them to help us find our way too. There is a tunnel to go through to get to the car park with a steep decline and an even steeper incline! One of us had to walk that bit and was wishing we’d driven there! At the top of the hill there is a big car park with lots of cars and if you keep heading left you will see one of the pit bays open and a security guard sat at a table. You just have to sign in and off you go onto the track. Remember though- no helmet- no ride!

cycling at dubai autodromeWe got there just after 6 and there were about 20 other cyclists already there- us being the only beginner ones but the track is so big you have lots of space and the more experienced cyclists know what they are doing and keep out of your way. It was amazing to see so many great cyclists there looking the part in their lycra gear and with fab bikes!

It was so refreshing to be able to cycle without worrying about cars. The track is so wide there is masses of space. There are declines and inclines that put you through your paces and not even being the fittest of people we managed to go round twice with only a couple of stops. We would have gone round again but knew we had a steep hill on our journey home! On the way out we saw a lot more people coming in and mums and kids with roller skates, as well as joggers. We presume that the skating would be around the areas in front of the pit lane- wouldn’t want to going down or up some of the hills in skates! How wonderful though to have such a smooth surface to skate around on and no worries about vehicles. I am taking my roller blades with me next time too.

There was a lovely atmosphere there and I even got a couple of smiles and waves from some of the fit as a whip lycra- clad experts! Everyone was very polite and we are definitely going every week now. The best thing? It’s totally FREE! We’re hoping to get good enough to go out with the organized road trips too. (Just wish they’d open an access point from the front of Motor City too so we could miss out “that hill”!)

Here's a map to the autodrome- follow the red arrows to get to the right entrance
map to dubai autodrome cycle safe night

Dubai Cycling Clubs & Intiatives

cycle safe dubaiCycle Safe Dubai

This is a great initiative! Cycle Safe Dubai was set up as a way to get cyclists off the couch and back onto their bikes, Cycle Safe Dubai regularly take over the track and encourage all Runners, Walkers, Joggers and Cyclist's to make use of the safest place in Dubai to exercise, Whether you’re a Pro or a first timer the track is the best place to get back into the sports you love and be outdoors.
Wednesday Nights have proven to be most popular and with the ever growing popularity we envisage getting more nights open on the track and with Special thanks to Spinneys the sessions are now free!
Currently we use the Club Circuit at a distance of 2.7 km and with a few Hills, Flats and with the regular Dubai wind it’s an all- round great work out for all the sports.

The Dubai Autodrome is the safest places to cycle why?

• You are on a closed circuit with no cars
• You are under 360 deg CCTV surveillance
• Trained Medical staff on stand by
• Easy Access to fresh drinking water
• Surrounded by like- minded individuals all out for the same reason, exercise in safety

Presently the Track is open every Wednesday from 6 pm to 9 pm updates on times take place on facebook Cycle Safe Dubai
www.cyclechallenge.ae

Meydan Cycle Park

Here’s the latest news about the Meydan Cycle Park from the Cycle Safe Dubai Team

Many drivers passing Meydan have been wondering what is happening at the former Camel race Track opposite the world renown racing and sports complex. Following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Office along with Cycle Safe Dubai and Revolution Cycles have been working to transform the camel track into the First ever Cycle Park, in the UAE and perhaps the Middle East.

The plan to create a facility for the public suitable for the whole family and to incorporate as many aspects of cycling and running as possible, for all ages, male and female, in order to promote Cycling, fitness and a community spirit that is part of the Dubai culture. The Meydan Cycle Park will have many features including 3 separate cycling tracks with varying distances 4 km, 6 km and 8 km that can be used for running and cycling. Also being added is an 850-meter separate kids cycling proficiency course with traffic circle and 4 way stop including RTA type road signs to educate the kids on public road usage.

A 350-meter BMX track is also in the planning stages which will offer a competitive edge for teenagers and older members. The park will also feature an Off-road “Cross Country” running track finished with a road base surface. There will be a 3km and a 7km route to choose from.

Another feature will be playground equipment to keep the very young members entertained while the other members of the family are enjoying the above facilities. Most importantly the park will be environmentally GREEN with all the cycling tracks being illuminated with Solar powered LED lighting which will allow the tracks to be used at night, perfect for the warmer months in Dubai.

His Highness Office along with Cycle Safe Dubai have been working tirelessly to make certain that His Highness ‘s vision becomes a reality, Cycle Safe Dubai have been given the privilege of being the Curators of the Cycle park on behalf of the His Highness Office with the priority of community focused events.
Dubai Roadsters

dubai roadsters cycling clubThe Dubai Roadsters are a diverse group of riders with a variety of skills and fitness levels and have been riding in Dubai from before the year 2000. All riders are welcome to join the weekly rides as long as they have a bike in good working condition, a helmet, and lights for the night rides. Most importantly you must have a passion for cycling.

We also recommend that you carry a completed copy of the Rider Form or Rider‘s Card (available from Wolfi’s Bike Shop). There are no fees for the Dubai Roadsters as it is an informal, though regular, gathering of cyclists.

www.dubairoadsters.com

Here’s their advice on keeping hydrated whilst out on your bike for a long time:

Hydration – be aware of the importance

If it’s the summer cycling season, it’s probably hot where you live. Cyclists and other outdoor athletes are the first to notice rising temperatures. And the hotter it is, the faster you lose fluids when you ride. Fluids are crucial to your performance and sense of well-being. We’re really just big bags of fluid—our blood contains about 50 percent water. Because water helps keep us cool, a loss of only one percent of our bodyweight as sweat means a significant loss of speed and endurance. We know you’ve heard it before—drink, drink, drink! But it’s amazing how few cyclists heed this advice. They forget to drink because of the excitement of the ride, then they wilt before the end. But proper hydration is easy.

Here’s how:

• Ride Early or Late. You’ll need to replace fewer fluids if you ride when it’s cooler. The Dubai Roadsters' Friday rides start early in the morning in order to avoid high midday temperatures. In winter the rides start at 6.00 am and even earlier in summer at 5.30 am. Similarly the Training rides start in the evening at 7.00 pm when temperatures are lower.

• Practice Drinking On the Bike. If you aren’t comfortable taking one hand off the handlebar to pull the bottle from the cage, practice while riding in an empty parking lot or lightly traveled road with a wide shoulder. Hold the handlebar with your other hand to limit swerving as you reach down.

• Pre-hydrate. Make sure you’re well hydrated before the ride. Most people are dehydrated because they simply don’t drink enough water. Keep a bottle on your desk and sip frequently all day. For an energy as well as fluid bonus, down 16 ounces of a sports drink about an hour before the ride.

• Drink During the Ride. Because your body’s sensation of thirst lags behind its need for liquid, always sip from your bottle before you get thirsty. When you feel thirsty, it’s already too late. Make it a habit to reach for your bottle every 15 minutes and slug down a couple of big swallows. Most riders need one big bottle (about 28 ounces) per hour but it’s highly variable depending on temperature, intensity of the ride, and other factors such as body size. Experience will help you judge your fluid needs.

• Hydrate After the Ride. No matter how much fluid you drink while riding, in hot weather you’ll finish the ride depleted. Your stomach doesn’t empty fast enough to keep up with the demand. Weigh yourself before and after the ride. Compare the figures. If you’ve lost weight, drink 20 ounces of fluid for each pound of bodyweight you’re down. Keep drinking until your weight has returned to normal and your urine is pale and plentiful.

• Restore Sodium Levels. Those white stains on your clothing and helmet straps after a hot ride come from the salt that you sweat out. It needs to be replaced. Low sodium levels are associated with increased incidence of muscle cramps. Heavy sodium losses lead to hyponatremia, a potentially life-threatening condition. Your sports drink should contain at least 100 mg of sodium per 8 ounces (check the label). It may also help to salt your food when you’re riding frequently in hot weather.

Remember- CYCLE SAFE, STAY HYDRATED AND ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET
 
 
 
 
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