Sevens, Zad and Bab Al Shams

Route overview

Ideal for beginners, recovery days or anyone wanting steady flat kilometres, with almost no climbing over 30.7 km.

A flat 30.7 km out-and-back loop on the desert edge of Dubai, with just 18 m of climbing across the whole ride.

The ride starts on the outskirts of Dubai at the highest point of the whole route, 66 m, reached by 0.6 km. Spicy Village Restaurant sits right at the start, at 0.5 km, making it the obvious meeting point before heading out. From there the road gives up height slowly and steadily across open desert terrain, bottoming out at 41 m around 16.9 km — a drop of only 25 m spread over the best part of 17 km, so the gradient is barely perceptible. With 29% of the total gain falling in the first half, the outward leg is the marginally lumpier of the two, though at 18 m of climbing in 30.7 km neither direction can be called hilly. The return retraces the same ground back towards Dubai, drifting gently upwards to the start. A drinking water point at 29.4 km comes just before the finish, useful for topping up at the end rather than during the ride itself.

Highlights

• Flat 30.7 km out-and-back with only 18 m of climbing
• High point of 66 m reached within the first kilometre
• Spicy Village Restaurant at 0.5 km for a pre-ride stop

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Out & back

Riding time

1–1½ hours riding

Season

The single recording is from June at 30°C; cooler months are likely to be more comfortable for riding.

Know before you go

• No water or food listed between 0.5 km and 29.4 km — carry everything
• Recorded at 30°C in June; heat is the main limiting factor

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