Road · United Arab Emirates
Showka Loop via Yaif and Jabal Naselah
- 108 km
- 1,238 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,238 m
- 108 km
Route overview
Riders suited to a long 108 km ride with moderate climbing of 1116 m.
108 km loop ride in the Hajar Mountains from Showka with 1116 m climbing.
Starting from Showka, the route first passes through Musseili at 6.1 km and proceeds to Yaif at 25.4 km before reaching Al Qor and Sha'biyyat Milāḩ. The first significant climb begins at 14.8 km, ascending 188 m over 5.1 km with an average gradient of 3.7% and a max of 11.5%, reaching 527 m. After descending, there is a shorter climb around 29.2 km and terrain that fluctuates with smaller climbs later on. Major settlements on the route include Huwaylat (42.3 km), Fashrah, Rāfāq, Al Naslah and others, providing occasional points to stop or resupply.
Highlights
- Climb starting at 66.6 km with 315 m gain at 8.4% avg gradient
- Passing Jabal Naselah peak at 56.4 km, 178 m high
- Longest descent over 4.2 km dropping 201 m starting near 20.4 km
- Sharjah - Kalba Road ridden for 25.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showka climb | 14.8 km | 5.1 km | 188 m | 3.7 % | 11.5 % | 527 m |
| — | 29.2 km | 1.5 km | 42 m | 2.8 % | 4.8 % | 315 m |
| — | 64.3 km | 1.7 km | 46 m | 2.8 % | 3.8 % | 186 m |
| Showka climb | 66.6 km | 3.8 km | 315 m | 8.4 % | 18.2 % | 496 m |
| — | 79.6 km | 2 km | 65 m | 3.2 % | 5 % | 308 m |
| — | 92.5 km | 5.1 km | 148 m | 2.9 % | 8 % | 481 m |
Showka climb · starts at 14.8 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Showka climb · starts at 66.6 km
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 47% motorway · 36% main road · 10% minor road · 5% other
- Main roads
- 87.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 43.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (25 km), Al Watan Road (22 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 23% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.7 km over 5% · 3.9 km over 8% · 2.1 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.2% at 71.2 km
- Longest descent
- 4.2 km from 20.4 km, dropping 201 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 65 km, from 42 km to 106 km.
Food, water and shops
- 41.8 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 30 m off route
- 41.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 140 m off route
- 93 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 100.7 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 106.2 kmShowka Bicycles · bike shop · 500 m off route
Worth a stop
- 56.5 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)
At the start and finish
- Showka Bicycles · bike shop · 600 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 3½–5 hours riding
- January with recorded temperature of 19°C.
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 64.6 km stretch with no café, shop or water from 41.8 km
- 87.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 43.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
- 2% of route on unpaved or gravel sections
