Cyclists.com

Showka to Kalba by the New Road

Showka, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 24th September 2022

97 km
Distance
1,577 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Showka to Kalba by the New Road

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,577 m
Distance
97 km
0100200300400500600m0 km2040608097 km496 m · highest, at 34.6 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders able to handle 96.5 km with 1305 m of climbing mainly on paved main roads.

96.5 km loop ride in UAE's Hajar Mountains from Showka with 1305 m climbing on mostly paved main roads.

This 96.5 km loop starts and finishes at Showka in the Hajar Mountains of the United Arab Emirates. The route initially climbs steadily over 3 km with 107 m gain averaging 3.5%, followed by another 3.7 km climb gaining 107 m at 2.9%. Early in the ride, it passes beneath Jabal Al Hinnah at 2.8 km. After 20 km, the ride goes through Munay before encountering several shorter climbs near Fayyad, Harrah, and Shia between 26.7 and 34.7 km, including one 3.4 km climb averaging 6.6% with a maximum gradient of 23.7%. The highest point is reached at 544 m at 34.7 km. Descending to about 3 m near 48.7 km, the route passes Al Maqt'a and Al Ghail before completing further climbs after 50 km up to 260 m over 4.2 km. The ride continues through Minazif and Al Qilē'ī before returning to Showka. Surface is 96% paved with no gravel sections. Roads are primarily motorway (80%) with 87.4 km of main roads lacking cycle lanes and 53.4 km subject to speed limits of 80 km/h or above. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 42.7 km from the start. Toilets are available at 5.4, 13.2, and 48.3 km. Food and drink can be found near 42.7 to 53.6 km, with petrol and bike shops near 49.5 and 95.9 km respectively. Attractions near the route include Hanging Garden Kalba and Al Hafiya Lagoon.

Highlights

  • Jabal Al Hinnah at 2.8 km
  • Highest point 544 m at 34.7 km
  • Hanging Garden Kalba at 42.7 km
  • Al Hafiya Lagoon near 54 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Munay 20 km
  2. Fayyad 28.8 km
  3. Harrah 32.8 km
  4. Shia 33.1 km
  5. Al Maqt'a 48.9 km
  6. Al Ghail 48.9 km
  7. Minazif 68.4 km
  8. Al Qilē'ī 69.4 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km3 km107 m3.5 %5.4 %398 m
—4.6 km3.7 km107 m2.9 %5.4 %488 m
—21.8 km1.9 km48 m2.6 %4 %305 m
—26.7 km1.4 km40 m3 %5.1 %275 m
—29.2 km1.9 km44 m2.3 %5.6 %320 m
Harrah climb31.3 km3.4 km221 m6.6 %23.7 %544 m
—39.2 km2.6 km82 m3.1 %8.1 %281 m
Jabal Al Khasfah51.6 km4.2 km260 m6.2 %19.7 %280 m
—61 km1.3 km89 m6.8 %14.6 %266 m
—63.5 km1.9 km70 m3.7 %6.5 %232 m
—65.6 km1.8 km87 m4.8 %9.5 %312 m
—69.4 km2 km65 m3.3 %5.2 %308 m
—82.2 km5.2 km151 m2.9 %7.7 %484 m

High point 544 m at 34.7 km; low point 3 m. Passes beneath Jabal Al Hinnah, Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Ash Shahayrah.

Harrah climb · starts at 31.3 km

4.3 km at 5% · 211 m
350400450500550m7.2%11%-5.2%0 km1234.1 km538 msteepest 10.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Jabal Al Khasfah · starts at 51.6 km

4.5 km at 5.9% · 266 m
50100150200250m5.6%13%0 km1234.2 km282 msteepest 12.6%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
80% motorway · 7% main road · 5% other · 5% major road
Main roads
87.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
53.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (76 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
34% climbing · 31% descending · 36% flat
Steep sections
8.3 km over 5% · 2.4 km over 8% · 1.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 21.1% at 0 km
Longest descent
4.8 km from 42.2 km, dropping 269 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 43 km, from 0 km to 43 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 5.4 kmToilets · on the route
  2. 13.2 kmToilets · 70 m off route
  3. 42.7 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 60 m off route
  4. 48.3 kmStarbucks · café · on the route
  5. 48.3 kmToilets · on the route
  6. 49.5 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  7. 53.6 kmMara Lounge · restaurant · 130 m off route
  8. 95.9 kmShowka Bicycles · bike shop · 500 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 42.7 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
  • 54 km — Al Hafiya Lagoon (attraction)

At the start and finish

  • Showka Bicycles · bike shop · 610 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3–4½ hours riding
Season
September to November with temperatures from 23 to 29 °C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 42.7 km with no café, shop or water
  • 87.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
  • 53.4 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more

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

11 photographs from the road

More rides from Showka