Cycling in Masafi

Cycling guide to Masafi

Masafi sits in the Hajar Mountains and works as a start and finish for long loops that run down to the Gulf of Oman coast and back inland. Two loops of 106 km and 112.3 km link the town with Dibba Al Fujairah, then follow the coast through Al Aqqah, Sharm and Khor Fakkan before turning back inland via Shis, Daftah and Al Ghamarah. A longer 116.8 km loop continues south past Fujairah, taking in Madha, Nahwa and Hajar Bani Hamid, then returns through Al Bithnah and Daftah. Climbing is modest in total but concentrated: the coastal loops gain 688 m and 809 m, while the shorter 65.1 km out-and-back towards Asimah and Al Tayyibah packs in 837 m, the most of any route here. Its steepest section, 2.6 km at 6.1% with a maximum of 10.2%, tops out at 506 m. The highest point recorded on any of the four routes is 595 m, on the Fujairah loop.

Best time to ride

Rides here are recorded from October to January and in April. December and January are the coolest, at 18-26 °C, while October and November readings reach 27-32 °C.

Terrain

Terrain is mountainous in profile but the roads are graded, with the biggest climbs averaging 2.8-6.1% and peaking at 10.2%. Climbs are short, between 1.6 km and 6.6 km, gaining 44-286 m. High points range from 486 m to 595 m.