01.
Liwa Cycling Challenge
Entry to this 100km+ ride through Abu Dhabi’s Western Region is free and the ride starts at Tal Moreeb, aka the Terrifying Mountain. It’s a particularly challenging ride, known for its rolling hills and tough climbs. January TBC
facebook.com/ liwacyclingchallenge
02. Crazy Bonkers Summer Solstice Ride
This event is now in its fourth year and will see you complete 160km of the Al Qudra Cycle Track at night, in the pitch black, with only your lights to guide you along the way. Watch out for wayward oryx as you make your way through the moonlit sand dunes on a track that is for bikes only, so you won’t have to navigate traffic on your way. June 23 rides you can attempt in the UAE, the Coast To Coast is a whopping 204km epic that starts in Sharjah and finishes in Fujairah. But the sting in the tail comes right in the middle of the route, when you cycle through the hilly climbs of Hatta. November TBC
04. Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Dubai’s oldest cycling event is a 92km ride through the city’s skyscrapers and all the way out to the desert in Al Qudra. The 2016 edition of the ride was a qualifier for the Union Cycliste Internationale Gran Fondo series, meaning it had full road closures for the first time in the event’s history. You’ll see everyone take part, from the region’s top racers to amateurs signing up at the last minute and tackling the ride in fancy dress. December TBC
cyclechallenge.ae