Riding the dunes

An ancient wisdom says, ’’The place is probably inhabitable, if you can’t ride your bike there’’. There are few places more unsuitable riding your bike than in a desert. However, in Dubai, the place is not absolutely tragic in terms of cycling opportunities.

I was lucky enough to experience the desert and the dunes from my bike. It is quite a remarkable experience. Especially when being on your own, in the middle of the day, with the temperature rising, the amount of fluid in the bidon getting lower and I only had my bike to get me to the nearest civilization.

I loved the dead silence. When I stopped and couldn’t see or hear a living creature far and beyond. Not even a bird's tweet. It was rather ironic, being just a couple of kilometers from the centre of one of the craziest cities in the world, to hear absolutely nothing.

If you head for Dubai, on your next vacation, and have enough of the beach or city, then head south from the city center or simply ask your taxi driver for Al Qudra Road.

I’m sure you will be able to find a place to rent a bike somewhere in Dubai. Close to the Al Qudra road are located two or three pretty big and well equipped bike shops as well.

Before the Al Qudra bike path starts, there is a huge traffic circle with bike sculptures and decent parking space with toilet facilities, so it’s very hard to actually miss it.

The bike path heads further south, and after 15km you will be able to choose from another two directions. Turn left and you will be able to ride a 50km lap. If you turn right, you will get to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort which large terrace is a real oasis after a couple of hours riding in the desert.

The bike path gets a little more crowded in the evening, as the working hours in Dubai comes to an end, and the evening air becomes a little cooler.

The cycling season in Dubai is between October and April. After that it gets unbearably hot, and you are only able to ride early in the morning or after 7pm in the evening with the lights on.

Nevertheless, experiencing the mirage in the desert on your bike is an opportunity you should try experience at least once in your life. Just remember water!

Ride!

Martin