Cycling in Dubai

[gemmerbal]

Hi hubbers,

I am contemplating a temporary move (2-5yrs) to Dubai and was wondering if there’s anybody on here that can share some personal insights into the cycling scene in Dubai (road/gravel/mtb). I am aware of the basics: yes it gets very warm in summer, yes cycling in the city is not permitted/safe outside of the dedicated cycling lanes.

 

As someone that enjoys weekday rides of 1,5-2hrs and longer weekend rides, knowing what the options are would be helpful in making a decision. 
 

Dankie manne en manninne 🚴

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

No first-hand knowledge but a client of mine in Dubai is on my Strava and his road rides are pretty much zero elevation and doing loops to get his distance. Like 9 loops to do 100km with 120m of elevation. One of his July rides was in 59 degrees where he did 57km for 94m of elevation. Almost all his rides seem to be the boardwalk at Palm Jumeirah and then an area called Meydan. 

In terms of elevation and scenery, it’s there, but like a 3 hour drive out of Dubai. As I understand it. 

[Robbie Stewart]

I wouldn't cycle in Dubai itself because the roads are pretty congested and not designed with cycling in mind. Outside of Dubai, East of the airport the sand begins. It's flat land with dunes the only elevation until you reach the emirate of Fujaira where there are mountains. I'm not sure about the suitability for mountain biking though. I'm not sure what happens towards Abu Dhabi but from what I understand @capedivercycles that part of the world when working that side. He can probably give the best advice.

[Titleist]

They cycle at Al Qudra. Best is there isn’t any free miles because it’s mostly flat. Summer cycling is best between 4am to 7am. Thereafter it’s too hot.

[Clive Abrahams]

@gemmerbal I spent 12 years riding in and around Dubai....road, MTB and gravel.

It is brutal in Summer, but amazing during the Winter months. Do yourself a favor, DO NOT try riding on the roads alone. Stick to the cycle tracks and some of the outlying areas with a group.

The best introduction I can give you is to Stewart Howison on +971506804528 (Ex Saffa) and owner of Revolution cycles in Dubai. They have a great cycling team called CSD. Cater for all types of riders from weekend warriors to Elites.

Check them out:   https://rcdxb.com/ and https://rcdxb.com/pages/rides

[Michael G]

Moved to Dubai 2 years ago… some of the best road routes u will ever ride through the sand… around a cycle loop, dedicated routes for cyclists only. The sport is huge here and supported by RTA road traffic authority, and Dubai police. No need to ride in the roads… there are roads built for u to ride which are perfect. I think the loop through the sand is 170km long… with springbok and gemsbok walking around u. Stewart is South African and a great ambassador of the sport here. Spinneys has build up rides and main events also super well organised from September until Feb 2025… summer it’s hot but if u start at 04:00 u have time till 08:00 to ride… best is it is super safe, if u stop for ur coffee u can leave ur bike around the corner or in the car park and no one is going to touch it. 
 

get out there and try I u will not be sorry 

[gemmerbal]

Thank you to all who have responded. Its a tough decision for me, my career is sort of at a stalemate at the moment and I have an in with a company there, where a friend from SA is employed. As a typical Saffa, the thought of not being able to ride around on a bicycle is one of the reasons that have been bothering me - my mate over there is a non-cyclist so he has no info on the matter.

Ive never been someone to think too far ahead into the future, but I can pay my house off in 5yrs if I make the move. I have no dependants, the MAIN issue is my dogs - the main moral hurdle if you would. Cycling has become my therapy, as some might know from my past exploits that have been shared among this community. 
 

Appreciate all the input people. 

[dave303e]

I have only heard good things about Hatta for the mtb.
About 13 years ago I did a mtb race Trans Hajar in Oman, it was also some incredible riding

Something also to consider. You are at the hub of the world in Dubai.

I chatted to a guy on a flight to a race recently. He says the beauty is that international races are mostly really easy to get to. 4 hour flight to silk road, 6 central EU so you can really access a lot of races that would be a mission from here.

The dogs will be a tough one, they quite strict there with hounds coming in or out. No pitties, staffies, mastiffs etc but you can do it. Just be ready for a shocker when the quotes come in to move them

[cadenceblur]

There’s a road with switch backs that I’ve heard about, apparently very popular as a cycling route, search Jebel Jais

[MORNE]

We moved here literally this week after a few months to and fro.
 

As such i’ve also already been scoping out whats on where cycling wise. There is even a small gravity scene in Hatta and Fujairah. 

Road cycling seems huge though. Al Qudra has already been mentioned, there are others. Think ive read it is now the longest purpose built/dedicated cycling route in the world? 

But there seems to be plenty to go around in most disciplines, plenty of pump tracks too. 

find all the routes/trails here:

https://www.cyclingtracks.ae/index.html

Biggest mindset adjustment for me at least will be the accessibility factor. Everything here is a highway and the city is not pedestrian friendly in general. Driving, at this stage seems daunting.
 

There are tons of cycling related rules of course…but in general ive seen plenty of people riding around even where there are signs saying they cant.  (Hey, easier to say sorry than ask for permission right😇)

The general rule seems to be no bicycles on any road with a speed limit over 60kph

Anyway, im here now, family and all. My bikes will only be here in a few months (container). But i thought thats a perfect excuse to buy something new😂

Drop me a DM once you decide to make the move. Im still figuring crap out myself, flats, schools, what to choose between the 400mil options at the grocery store. But hey, maybe we can stumble around in the dark together😂🤘

[Bub Marley]

I lived in Al Ain for 5 years which is part of the Abu Dhabi Emirate, about an hour out of Dubai. I will summarize as best I can.

 

Dubai:

 - Loads of purpose made cycling tracks built around the City in different areas. The main one is Al Qudra which is on the outskirts of Dubai and essentially take you deep into the desert. If Im a cyclist living in Dubai, I would get a place close to Al Qudra as its the biggest cycling tracks in the city, over 100km’s to be more specific. 

- There are other tracks but Al Qudra is the main one.

- Do not cycle on the public roads in Dubai. It’s illegal and dangerous, hence me suggesting to be close to the tracks.

- Everything is pan flat in Dubai. No elevation at all. Perfect for interval training. It can get very windy though and trust me, wind in the desert is a different kind of wind with the sand blowing across the road into your face etc. 

 

Abu Dhabi:

- 2 Cycling tracks: Al Wathba and Hudayriat. Al Wathba is a longer track so if you want more distance that is better but a bit out of the city. Hudayriat is a purpose built adventure island with different sports activities. There a is a cycling track there as well. Not the longest but still great for loops / interval training. 

- Yas Marina Circuit. I think once or twice a week, they open the formula one track in the evening for cycling. This is pretty awesome and I would recommend it.

- There is a loop as well that many guys do in Abu Dhabi. Think its around 100km with most on bike path.

- Also illegal and dangerous to ride on public roads so yeah, stick to the tracks.

- Like Dubai, everything is pan flat here.

 

Al Ain:

- Probably biased here, but for a cyclist this is the best area to be mainly because the traffic is much less and you have the mountain so you shake up your training as well.

- There is a cycling track here of around 23km in length. 

- Jebel Hafeet is a 10Km climb at around 7-8%. Its a proper climb that and its what sets al Ain apart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From Dubai its a 1;30hr drive but definitely worth it.

- It’s technically illegal to ride on the road here but when I lived there, they weren’t very strict about it. Theres also a much wider variety of routes here, SOme which take you deep into desert riding through the dunes etc.

- There’s also a 200km out and back ride to the Tropic of Cancer which the guys do every year during the national day holiday period.

 

Also close to Dubai is Jebel Jais which is also an hour drive out towards Ras Al Khaimah. This is a 23km climb at around 4% and the views are pretty spectacular so fully recommend doing it. 

 

Cycling is absolutely massive there. The government has thrown an insane amount of money into the sport to develop all the infrastructure. The locals have also taken to the sport. The success of Pogacar and the UAE team have also helped considerably in growing the sport. There are loads of races and lots of money on the line as well. 

 

Good luck on your endeavors. 

[capediver]

Done a fair amount of cycling in Dubai and area..fast growing sport and plenty of cycle shops around..most spares available but you will pay premium for most....plenty of vids on my YT channel...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC47T5KJILgAToUkWpazYzSw

 

 

 

 

[Bub Marley]

Also just to add wrt weather. It’s 4 months of brutally hot weather. And then 8 months of the best weather ever. During the hot months, you would need to be done with your ride by 9am for the latest otherwise that sun will start burning you into a crisp. The nice thing about the cycling tracks though are they open 24hours. So during summer many people ride at night to dodge the sun. It is still extremely humid though. Spending 1 minute outdoors during summer will have you completely soaked. So yeah be prepared for that. 

[capediver]

18 hours ago, Michael G said:

Moved to Dubai 2 years ago… some of the best road routes u will ever ride through the sand… around a cycle loop, dedicated routes for cyclists only. The sport is huge here and supported by RTA road traffic authority, and Dubai police. No need to ride in the roads… there are roads built for u to ride which are perfect. I think the loop through the sand is 170km long… with springbok and gemsbok walking around u. Stewart is South African and a great ambassador of the sport here. Spinneys has build up rides and main events also super well organised from September until Feb 2025… summer it’s hot but if u start at 04:00 u have time till 08:00 to ride… best is it is super safe, if u stop for ur coffee u can leave ur bike around the corner or in the car park and no one is going to touch it. 
 

get out there and try I u will not be sorry 

 

[capediver]

20 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I wouldn't cycle in Dubai itself because the roads are pretty congested and not designed with cycling in mind. Outside of Dubai, East of the airport the sand begins. It's flat land with dunes the only elevation until you reach the emirate of Fujaira where there are mountains. I'm not sure about the suitability for mountain biking though. I'm not sure what happens towards Abu Dhabi but from what I understand @capedivercycles that part of the world when working that side. He can probably give the best advice.

! Some of the best riding tracks in the ME....dedicated cycles paths all over, some excellent, some a bit dodgy....you are allowed to ride on roads expect highways of course...you will soon find out which are the most popular routes, so don't recommend just any road, drivers are still not quite used to having cyclists on the road and traffic is huge most of the time even at 3 in the morning!...officially you need a helmet lights and highvis band...most don't bother with last...

Best shop is Wolfies with lotsa Saffers working there....you can get just about any brand bike and most spares...pricey though...there are some Chinese brands out at China Mall at good prices...

During summer, not much happens, but through shoulder and winter, there are plenty of races, huge group rides and generally lots going on....the desert tracks in Dubai (Al Qudra) and Abu Dhabi (Al Wathba) are a must especially sunrise/sunset.....

MTB...a lot of gnar on Mars-like terrain..

Hatta is the place to go and now even has a camp where you can overnight....about 1.5 hrs out

SHOWKA is another MTB area nearby about an hour away

Gravel...

I haven't purposefully done any but I'm sure there is plenty in the mountain range west of Dubai around Hatta and Showka

Go for it!

Edited September 25, 2025 by capediver

[MORNE]

33 minutes ago, capediver said:

! Some of the best riding tracks in the ME....dedicated cycles paths all over, some excellent, some a bit dodgy....you are allowed to ride on roads expect highways of course...you will soon find out which are the most popular routes, so don't recommend just any road, drivers are still not quite used to having cyclists on the road and traffic is huge most of the time even at 3 in the morning!...officially you need a helmet lights and highvis band...most don't bother with last...

Best shop is Wolfies with lotsa Saffers working there....you can get just about any brand bike and most spares...pricey though...there are some Chinese brands out at China Mall at good prices...

During summer, not much happens, but through shoulder and winter, there are plenty of races, huge group rides and generally lots going on....the desert tracks in Dubai (Al Qudra) and Abu Dhabi (Al Wathba) are a must especially sunrise/sunset.....

MTB...a lot of gnar on Mars-like terrain..

Hatta is the place to go and now even has a camp where you can overnight....about 1.5 hrs out

SHOWKA is another MTB area nearby about an hour away

Gravel...

I haven't purposefully done any but I'm sure there is plenty in the mountain range west of Dubai around Hatta and Showka

Go for it!

Helpful thanks