Al Qudra and Akoya Oxygen

Route overview

Suits riders of any level looking for a steady 52 km at a constant pace, with almost no climbing to interrupt it.

A flat 52 km loop from Dubai on the Al Qudra cycle route, with just 30 m of climbing and a high point of 49 m.

The loop starts and finishes in Dubai, with a restaurant and a drinking water point both within the first 1.1 km \u2013 the last services named on the route, so it is worth filling bottles here before heading out.\n\nWhat little elevation there is comes early: all 30 m of the gain falls in the first half, topping out at 49 m at 11.8 km. From there the road tips gently down to the lowest point of the route, 15 m at 24.9 km, roughly the halfway mark. The second half is effectively level, giving back nothing more than it takes.\n\nThe return leg passes the suburb of Mugatrah at 36.2 km, a few hundred metres off the road, before the final run back into Dubai. With a total range of just 34 m between the high and low points, the profile is close to a flat line and the pace is set by wind and heat rather than gradient.

Highlights

• High point of 49 m at 11.8 km, all the climbing in one go
• Lowest point, 15 m, at almost exactly halfway
• Flat 52 km loop with only 30 m of total gain
• Water and a restaurant at 1.1 km, near the start

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

1½–2½ hours riding

Know before you go

• No cafes or water listed after 1.1 km \u2013 carry everything for 50 km
• 30 \u00b0C recorded in July; heat, not gradient, is the limiting factor

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.