With just over three months to go until thousands of riders hit the streets of Dubai for the annual Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, organisers are calling on participants to start training for the UAE’s biggest community cycling event of the year.
The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge started in 2010, and now attracts cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. This year more than 2,000 riders are expected to enter, with hundreds of local cyclists participating in the build-up rides as part of their preparation for the big event.
The first of four build-up rides will be held on Friday 5 September at 6am, and registrations are already pouring in for the 35km ride around the Nad Al Sheba cycle course. The build-up rides increase in distance each time in preparation for the full 92 km race on December 12.
“The first build up ride is great as its only 35km and all levels can take part. It’s a good way to start getting fit again and to practice riding in a group, so we encourage everyone to enter” said Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Director Stewart Howison. "We're expecting well in advance of two thousand riders this December, and that's fantastic – four times more than when we first put on this event in 2010, and the numbers are growing year on year.
"This is a great community event; an event for everyone, be they a serious rider who wants to achieve good times, or people who just love cycling for fun. It's all about promoting cycling in Dubai and encouraging people to take up the challenge, and the enthusiasm for our event is fantastic."
Over 240 riders have already registered for the first build up ride, and organisers are expecting numbers to swell to around 500.
The second build up ride will be over 45km and will be held on October 3 at the Nad Al Sheba cycle track. Rides 3 and 4 will be held at the Dubai Cycling Course, with the third ride on 31 October on a 65 km course, and the final one on 28 November over 85km.
Howison added: "The idea is to increase the distance with every build up ride to help prepare cyclists for the event itself. They get used to riding in a group, and it’s also a great opportunity to get other tips on preparation for the 92km ride.
“We really appreciate the enthusiasm of the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Cycling Federation for our event, their support has been phenomenal."
Registration can be completed online and costs Dh50, however there is an option to register for all four rides and the Spinneys 92 at the same time.
Those who register for the five races will enter one build up ride for free.
All the details are on the Facebook page Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge.
