My road bike arrived in a container a couple of weeks ago and it coincided with a strong desire in me to get fit. I quickly put the bike together and took it for a local lap. Its feels great to be back on the bike 😀
The roads here in the UAE tend to be flat and well surfaced but they are busy and the traffic fast, cycle unaware and uncompromising. Cycling as part of a group is the solution and there are a series of places to start.
Most well known is the Dubai Roadsters Friday morning ride outs – www.dubairoadsters.com
Leaving early from the Lime Tree Cafe (GREAT Carrot Cake!!) they take in 40km before splitting into groups to total 80km and 120km rides. These are not the best rides for folks not used to road riding in a group as groups are big (150 is typical) and the pace sprightly.
For those that havent been on the bike for a while or new to group riding the Saturday Bab Al Shams Coffee Run is a great way to get miles in the legs. Just over 30km each way and coffee, croissants and a chance to meet lots of other cyclists this is the perfect way to start getting up to speed. http://www.cyclechallenge.ae/weekly-rides/saturday.html
Lastly, as part of the Cycle Safe project, Dubai Autodrome and Yas Island Circuit now have evening sessions for cyclists, runners and rollerbladers. Spinney’s are picking up the tab so the track use is free. Laps of the tracks are great safe miles and also a great place to meet the cycling crowd. http://www.cyclechallenge.ae/cycle-safe-dubai/training-schedule-dubai-autodrome.html
Still lots of miles to do to get back to where I was a year ago but I can feel the benifits already.
Happy miles 🙂
Ian Ganderton 
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