Cycling in Nazwa

Cycling guide to Nazwa

Nazwa sits on the edge of the Hajar Mountains, and the riding divides neatly into two kinds. The short options are loops of 63.7 km, 70.9 km, 73 km and 88.2 km that link Nazwa with Mahafiz, Al Fayah and Al Dafain, with as little as 115 m of climbing and high points between 174 m and 194 m. The 88.2 km version adds Al Khawālid and Sha'biyyat Bahayis. For longer days, two loops of 131.2 km and 140.3 km run out through Al Dafain, Filli and Shariyah to Shawka before returning via Musseili, Al Fayah and Mahafiz; the harder of the two gathers 724 m of climbing and tops out at 471 m. The biggest ride is the 165.7 km point-to-point to the coast at Al Aqqah, taking in Khawr Kalba, Kalba, Qurayyah, Mirbah, Khor Fakkan and Al Badīyah, with 841 m of climbing.

Best time to ride

Recorded rides fall mainly between October and February, with temperatures from 14°C to 29°C; a June ride on the 63.7 km loop reached 34°C, so the cooler months are the more comfortable choice.

Terrain

The local loops are essentially flat, gaining 115-154 m over 64-88 km with high points under 200 m. The longer routes are rolling rather than mountainous: the main climb on the Shawka loop is 4.1 km at 3.1% (4.8% maximum) to 452 m, and on the ride to Al Aqqah 3.2 km at 2.6% to 442 m, with an overall high point of 458 m.