Cycling in Qatar?

there are good cycling tracks near Aspire Zone and on the al-waab road... cyclists can use that space at very safe place... the drivers do not understand that there could be cyclists on the road - so beware, if u ride on the road... I DO....

Hi!

Moving to Qatar after the summer and my husband and I would be very interested in the cycling groups. We often rode in hilly Norway, so I am stoked about some flat ground!

Anyone have the contact information for this cycling group in order to be put on the mailing list?

Also, how does the whole women's cycling shorts work in Qatar, we're anxious to hear about this :)

Thanks!

Megan

Hi XTFUEL,

Thanks for your information on the group rides, that's exactly what I'm sure a lot of people wanted to know.

Has there been any progress on the formation of the cycling club and website you mentioned back in July?

I've just arrived in Doha and very keen to get involved with the group rides.

I used to go spinning at the Sheraton - I did hear a couple of the instructors talking a number of times about cycling in Doha, along with a few other more serious cyclists, perhaps that could be a route to take and find out from them?

The cycling fraternity in Qatar as busy forming the first independent bike club in Doha. The club's name to follow shortly. The summer riding schedule is as follows:

Meet 4:30am Friday on the Corniche on the road near the public toilet (Sheraton). This is a fast ride for more accomplished riders. The group goes to Al Khor and back with a side route through a side road frequently taken. The group pauses in Al Khor for water and heads back. The group generally does not wait for stragglers. Distance is about 90-100km and time is about 3hrs.

Meet 4:30 Friday on the golf course parking lot. A more relaxed ride and slower paced. The group goes to the Simaisma bridge and back with some folks going all the way to Al khor. Group generally waits for straglers.

Meet 5:00am Saturday on the golf course parking lot. A mixture of the two Friday groups. Average speed and distance varies.

Weekday rides - Most people are on their own. The National Junior team trains on the public road outside of the Lusail GP track and many of us go there after work to join them or do our own laps. 1 lap of the interior roads is about 10km.

The above represent summer hours. The starting hours are adjusted for daylight so that by December the various groups are leaving 6:30 to 7am.

There is also a group that does mountain biking off road all over Qatar. Generally they are some of the same people as the road riders. The ride locations and times are decided a few days before hand via emails etc.

The soon to be new bike club will have a website up and running by August 2009 where all this into will be posted including planned off road races, road time trials, and others.

Yes there is a group of cyclists in Qatar. I think mountain bike people, they organize races.

I would have to find the guy that organizes it for you.

Hi-

Is there an organised cycle group that goes out at weekends? I heard of one that leaved from the Corniche to Al Khor - but can't find anyone that knows about it...

My bike road bike has just arrived, and Im keen to start up again. I was previously doing about 250km per week (80km hill cycle at the weekend) - though Ive been here 2 months, with only the gym bike to keep it up.

thanks!

a

Hi Robin,

I have just moved to Qatar and am keen on road and mountain biking. I would be interested in going out Friday/Saturday mornings for a couple of hours 60km or so until I get used to the heat!

I would also like to have a go at track cycling if there are facilities here to do this? Noone I ask knows if there is a velodrome so if anyone does please let me know.

Send me a PM if you want to meet up I'll pass on my mobile number etc. I met an American guy last week who lives NW of the city center and he rides our past the golf club and towards Losail so maybe we can get a few of us out.

Regards

Rob

any luck robin? You have a PM

Hi Deedee

Thanks for your reply - I have had a look at the QCF site, and can find no information about local groups and rides - I tried calling them and got no reply, and there is no means to email or post messages to them - not particularly customer driven!

I will keep trying, and probably try to find a decent route in the morning - hopefully dodging the Land Cruisers!

best regards

Robin

www.qatarcf.org

Qatar Cycling Federation

I have just arrived in Doha, have brought my road bike, and would like to ride Friday/Saturday mornings. Is this group still active, and if so what time do they meet, where, and how far do they ride?

I've seen groups in at least 2 locations. Often they ride up the North Road from the Golf Club, and also down Messaid Road towards Sealine

Both these roads have wide shoulders to keep you out of the traffic!

Did you Google it first?

A friend of mine belongs to that motley group of Filipinos, Canadian, Americans, Panamanian. They pedal early morning on Fridays and Saturdays starting from the Corniche going to Al Khor. Sometimes to a different route. Maybe you're the one they're waiting for to formalize the group and give it a name. Come and join 'em! :)

I know a Canadian friend there who formed a cycling group and they go out of the city every Friday and Saturday morning. I think they do about 100 km each ride. He sent me photos and they use a narrow road nicely paved and virtually empty. Still it would be very hot in the summer, but better than watching TV or lying around the pool I guess...

I did see one srious cyclist out on the road just last week. He looked like a pro because he was wearing all the proper gear with helmet and everything. However, the look of intense concentration on his face trying not to be turned into roadkill made me believe that he may have wished he had got a taxi instead.

I wouldnt even attempt riding a motorbike here. Loki is right, i would think that the outskirts of doha like west bay or the north road would be a better option.

Talking of motorbikes, anyone interested in buying a Honda Blackbird 2005 model? 0-100kph in less than 2.5 seconds.. top speed 300kph+.

Respect

GIASI

There is at least one group of seriousish cyclists that I've seen out on Friday mornings. They look Philipino to me. The number of westerners who cycle regularly is probably in single figures, and they're mostly to be seen on mountain bikes or ATBs alone or in twos.

The best shop for quality cycle stuff here is Skateshack so the guys there might know something, though I haven't seen any club notices there. tel(974)4692532.

Cycling here is generally not pleasant, except on Friday mornings, but it can be done. I used to commute occasionally and the only reason I've given up is that the roadworks around my home create very narrow lanes of impatient drivers and I kinda lost my nerve. A few South Asians cycle everywhere but the accident rate amongst them is apparently quite high.

Hi Tri Athlete... I am in no way an expert on this so this is just a comment from a non-cyclist...

I think it would be absolute HELL trying to cycle around Doha itself at any time, but *especially* at the moment / for the next 12 months or so... the amount of roadworks going on is ridiculous, there is barely an area not affected.... it might be marginally better on the outskirts of Doha, perhaps, but even so you still have to contend with the totally irresponsible and dangerous drivers... I think you would be taking your life on your hands every time you hopped on your bike!! I have only been to Dubai once, but the roads seemed MUCH better there.

I guess you are talking more about training-style cycling rather than just "getting around" cycling, though, so perhaps there is a group that does this here? Unfortunately I have not heard of one, although I have not been here long myself.

Hope these comments are somewhat useful. Best of luck!