Showka Hard Saturday

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 130 km days, as the 1,178 m of climbing is spread over steady gradients rather than steep walls.

A 131.6 km loop from Showka through the Hajar Mountains to the coast at Kalba and back over a 485 m high point, with 1,178 m of climbing.

The loop leaves Showka past Shawka and Shariyah, with drinking water at 2.1 km, and runs out through Kadrah at 12.8 km and beneath Jabal Ash Shibkah (265 m) at 18 km. Esfini, Rima and Mamduh follow in quick succession before the road reaches Madouk, Far'ah and the town of Al Farfar at 43.1 km. The first graded climb starts at 48.2 km, 3 km at 2.9% to 192 m, passing beneath Jabal Muthrad (380 m) on the way to Yabsa. From Sakamkam at 55.8 km the route drops through the coastal suburbs of Al Sharia, Al Faseel and Owaid, where the cafés and restaurants are concentrated, touching sea level at 61.5 km. Only 34% of the day's climbing is done by halfway. The return leg turns inland through Tarif Kalba and Al Uqdah, where the climbing comes in steps: 3.3 km at 2.2%, then 2.2 km at 4% to 253 m, then 3.3 km at 2.9% to 276 m and 2 km at 3.2% to 307 m above Al Qilē'ī. After Munay the final climb runs 5 km at 2.9% to 481 m, with a viewpoint at 119.6 km and the high point of 485 m at 120.1 km, before the descent back past Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m) and Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m) to Showka.

Highlights

• High point of 485 m at km 120, with a viewpoint just before
• Sea level at Kalba, the low point at km 61.5
• Beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m) on the run home
• Final climb: 5 km at 2.9% for 145 m

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4½–6½ hours riding

Season

The single December recording had 26°C, and winter suits this coastal and mountain mix best.

Know before you go

• No water or café listed between km 2.1 and km 58.6
• Steepest ramp 7.3% on the climb at km 86.4
• 26°C recorded in December; hotter outside winter

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