ABU DHABI // Every Friday, a little after dawn, a group of cyclists saddle up to ride more than 100 kilometres down quiet, almost car-free roads.
The Raha Cycling group, launched in 2009 by six keen cyclists, has more than 60 members who get together for group rides on weekends.
“There has always been a core group, but in the past two years there has been an amazing take-up of cycling in the UAE,” said Steve Watson, managing partner at Gulf Multi Sport and one of the founders of the group.
“In Bateen or Al Wathba you see many people cycling. We have seen that it is no longer only expatriates. In the past two years there has been a significant increase in the number of Emiratis who cycle,” Mr Watson said.
“When Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed cycled at Yas Marina Circuit a few years ago, the interest in cycling soared.”
The 52-year-old Australian took up the sport in 2007 to maintain his fitness. “Cycling is a combination of social interaction and keeping up a level of fitness. The fact that it is a sport that does not damage your knees much helps.”
Kevin Duell, another founding member, has lived in the UAE for six years and believes the social side of the sport encourages people to keep riding regularly.
“We are a social riding group. Our objectives are to encourage safe riding by organising group rides, to enhance the physical fitness and well-being of club riders and to promote social relationships among like-minded people. We have helped to establish cycling as a permanent feature of life in Abu Dhabi,” said the 58-year-old Briton, a training consultant with the UAE military.
The group started riding from Raha International School in Khalifa City A.
Because of the distances covered, the routes members take and their year-round activities, the group is not for complete beginners. “We cycle in a group and we look after each other and have a safety car, and no one is left behind. That’s why we have been successful,” Mr Duell said.
The Friday rides cover 120km in winter and 100km in summer and follow two routes – to the Samha Adnoc via Zayed Military City and back through Al Bahia and to Al Wathba cycle track and back.
Saturday’s rides are shorter, with one group covering 75km and the other 60km. Rides up Jebel Hafeet, Jebel Jais and to Liwa are organised from time to time.
For more information, visit Raha Cycling's page at facebook.com/raharevolution/.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
