Road · United Arab Emirates
Showka to Sour Kalba via Yabsa
- 132 km
- 1,366 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,366 m
- 132 km
Route overview
Suitable for experienced cyclists ready for a long 132 km ride with moderate climbing of 1178 m.
A 132 km loop cycling route in the Hajar Mountains, United Arab Emirates, starting at Showka.
This 131.6 km loop course begins near Showka and proceeds through many places including Shariyah, Kadrah, Esfini, Rima, and further on to Munay before returning. The route covers a total elevation gain of 1178 m, with several climbs that vary in length from 1.9 km to 5.5 km and have average gradients from 2.2% to 3.9%, with maximum gradients reaching up to 11.7%. The highest point is at 485 m elevation near 120.1 km of the route. The road surface is 99% paved with just a small 1% gravel or unpaved section. Roads are a mixture of motorway, main, major, minor roads, quiet streets, and a short track stretch. There are 104.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 67.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or above.
Highlights
- Cycle beneath Jabal Ash Shibkah (265 m)
- Climb near Jabal Muthrad (380 m)
- Pass Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m) near 122 km
- Highest point at 485 m around 120 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 31 km | 2.5 km | 59 m | 2.3 % | 3.7 % | 454 m |
| — | 47.9 km | 3.2 km | 103 m | 3.2 % | 5.5 % | 217 m |
| — | 79.8 km | 5.5 km | 121 m | 2.2 % | 3.3 % | 162 m |
| — | 85.9 km | 2.4 km | 95 m | 3.9 % | 8.3 % | 267 m |
| — | 92.8 km | 1.9 km | 58 m | 3 % | 11.7 % | 268 m |
| — | 95.7 km | 4 km | 134 m | 3.4 % | 9.3 % | 301 m |
| — | 101.5 km | 2.2 km | 66 m | 3 % | 4.7 % | 307 m |
| — | 114.6 km | 5.3 km | 148 m | 2.8 % | 7.2 % | 479 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 36% motorway · 31% main road · 15% minor road · 15% major road
- Main roads
- 104.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 67.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (35 km), Yabsa Bypass Road (9 km), H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Freeway (8 km), Kalba Ring Road (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 21% descending · 53% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.1 km over 5% · 1 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 17.9% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 8.8 km from 34.9 km, dropping 343 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 62 km, from 67 km to 129 km.
Food, water and shops
- 1.8 kmRestaurant · 50 m off route
- 2.1 kmWadi al meqaitei · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 2.1 kmDrinking water · 110 m off route
- 12.6 kmKadrah Health Center · clinic · 80 m off route
- 24.4 kmHospital · 140 m off route
- 25.5 kmConvenience store · 80 m off route
- 30.8 kmDrinking water · 190 m off route
- 58.7 kmZOOM · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 58.7 kmENOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 62.6 kmBin Moosa Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 63.8 kmAl Madina supermarket · supermarket · 240 m off route
- 64.4 kmBike rental · 130 m off route
- 65.2 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 65.8 kmCafe Di Roma · café · 80 m off route
- 66.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 80 kmKalba Health Center · clinic · 780 m off route
- 115.5 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 123.3 kmToilets · 130 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 57 km — Fujairah Station (station), 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 65.2 km — Bull fighting (Bullring) (attraction)
At the start and finish
- Showka Bicycles · bike shop · 590 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 4½–6½ hours riding
- December with temperatures around 26°C.
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop, or water for 62.3 km from km 66.6 to 128.9
- 104.7 km on main roads with no cycle lane
- 67.3 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
- 1% gravel or unpaved surface
