Road · United Arab Emirates
Showka to Dibba
A rolling 101 km road cycling loop from Showka, Ras Al Khaimah through Adhan, Sram and Al Muhtarqah, with 767 m of climbing over Al Ghūnah climb (506 m). Most of it (66 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 56.1 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. The first 46 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 100.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 767 m
- Riding time
- 3½–5 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 46 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Showka
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 767 m
- 101 km
Route description
- Showka
- Adhan
- Sram
- Al Muhtarqah
- Zahir As Safwah
- Dab‘ah
- Abadilah
- Al Ghūnah climb (506 m)
- Al Ghamarah
- Showka
The route starts from Showka and heads towards Adhan at 5.1 km, continuing through Ayim, Kub, Sram, and Ar Riwedah by 19.9 km. It then climbs steadily for 3.8 km gaining 93 m to 287 m elevation before passing Jerief and Al Muhtarqah. The middle section includes an 8.4 km climb starting at 52.1 km with 245 m gain to the highest point at 517 m near 60.8 km. The route descends and passes Masafi at 67.7 km, then goes through several places including Thoban and Manama before returning to Showka.
The surface is 98% paved with about 2% gravel and 1% unmapped. It uses a mix of roads: 43% major roads, 27% minor roads, 23% main roads, 5% quiet streets, and 2% tracks. Major named roads include Al Dhaid - East Coast Road for 15.5 km, Al Shohadaa Road for 15.3 km, Masafi-Dibba Road for 13 km, and Digdaga Road for 12.8 km. Notably, there are 66 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 56.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher.
Services are scarce for the first 46.4 km with no café, shop, or water. Beyond that, petrol stations at km 46.4, 65.4, 73.8, and 83.5 offer refuel options. Shops and bakeries are near Masafi around 63-65 km. Points of interest include archaeological Site 8 at 25.1 km off-route, Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails near 51.4 km, and Masafi Fort at 68.9 km, all slightly off the road.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) (8.4 km at 2.9 %).
- Tops out at 518 m, 60.8 km in.
- A 9.3 km descent dropping 176 m.
Highlights
- Two main climbs totalling 713 m gain
- Highest point near km 60.8 at 518 m
- Passes Masafi town at 67.7 km
- Archaeological site at 25.1 km off-route
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 19.5 km | 3.8 km · 93 m · 2.5 % · max 5.1 % | — | 287 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) | 52.1 km | 8.4 km · 245 m · 2.9 % · max 7.1 % | 8.4 km · 244 m · 2.9 % | 517 m |
Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) · full ascent, starts at 52.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 66% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 56.1 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 43% major road · 27% minor road · 23% main road · 5% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 66 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 56.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Al Dhaid - East Coast Road (16 km), Al Shohadaa Road (15 km), Masafi-Dibba Road (13 km), Digdaga Road (13 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 20% climbing · 23% descending · 57% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 11.5% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 9.3 km from 75.5 km, dropping 176 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 46 km, from the start. Along the route: 2 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop and 6 petrol stations.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 46.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 63.8 kmSupermarket · 60 m off route
- 65 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 110 m off route
- 65.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 68.3 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 110 m off route
- 73.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 83.5 kmENOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 87.9 kmMedical Center · clinic · 130 m off route
Worth a stop
- 25.1 km — Site 8 - 2 beehive tombs (archaeological site)
- 51.4 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)
- 68.9 km — Masafi Fort (castle)
Know before you go
- Longest no café, shop or water stretch 46.4 km
- 66 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 56.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 1.6 km of track surface, 2% gravel or unpaved
