The fifth staging of the Great Dubai Pulse Ride – Off Road cycling event at Dubai Sports City has been hailed as a “great success”.
The event last weekend, held in conjunction with the Dubai Sports Council as part of its Dubai Pulse activities that promote an active lifestyle, saw more than 200 cyclists take part.
The vast majority of participants were families and children, with riders having the option of tripping around one of three courses – five, 10 and 20 kilometres.
Members of the SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team, the United Arab Emirates’ first professional cycling team, joined those who cycled the shorter courses.
And those who took on the longest route had the incentive of AED3000 gift vouchers up for grabs from The Cycle Hub, the one-stop shop for all cycle needs based at the nearby Dubai Motor City.
There was plenty going on away from the cycling too, with a raffle, a cycle bazaar and a children’s corner that included face painting, arts and crafts, balloon twisting and a magic show.
And before the ride began, cyclists were given a warm-up session by staff from Fit Republik, the state-of-the-art fitness facility that opened at Dubai Sports City’s Sports Village in January.
Dubai Sports City President Khalid Al Zarooni, himself a keen cyclist, said: “The Great Dubai Pulse Ride – Off Road was a great success and we were delighted with the way it was received by all those who attended the event.
“It was wonderful to see so many families and children getting out and about and enjoying themselves, both on the bike and with the large number of activities that took place alongside the cycling.
“The attendance of the SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team gave people the chance to see first-hand the riders who make up the UAE’s first professional cycling team and that was an exciting addition to the day.
“Both Dubai Sports City and the Dubai Sports Council, through its Dubai Pulse initiative, share the vision of a fit and healthy population enjoying exercise and being fit and active and so this is an event we are always proud to host.
“We look forward to the Great Dubai Pulse Ride – Off Road continuing for many more editions and for it to continue to go from strength to strength – just like Dubai Sports City.”
There were two winners of the AED3000 gift vouchers –Francesco Parroto, the first male rider to cross the finish line, and Aimee Wright, the first female rider to do the same.
And attendees also benefited from a superb selection of raffle prizes worth more than AED10,000, including a Fatboy bike for children, dining vouchers from the Cycle Bistro (the restaurant that forms part of The Cycle Hub) and The Els Club, free tennis sessions from the Smash Tennis Academy, a one month membership of Fit Republik and gifts from Sadia.
The Great Dubai Pulse Ride – Off Road is part of the Dubai Sports Council’s Dubai Pulse scheme that also involves walks, runs and swims as well as cycling at the new cycle track at Al Qudra, as part of its programme to make sport a lifestyle for Dubai residents.
Launched by the Dubai Sports Council in 2009, Dubai Pulse is designed for all segments of society and all nationalities.
