Dubai: If you happen to be awake in the outrageously early hours of any Friday morning, you will witness a sight that has become a regular feature of the Dubai skyline - over 100 cyclists out on their weekly ride.
Since the Dubai Roadsters got on their bikes around seven years ago, they have grown quicker than founders of the group, Wolfi Hohmann and his wife, Gaby, could have imagined.
Last week saw over 110 riders taking to the road. The group meets at the Lime Tree Cafe in Jumeirah at 5.30am every Friday with cyclists having the option of a 75, 100 or 120km ride. And for the less devoted (and less fit), there are the not quite as daunting rides every Tuesday and Sunday on a 7km loop course at Nad Al Sheba.
"It's not only for the super-fit people, otherwise we wouldn't have 110 people riding, but you do need a certain type of training, you need to be into road cycling and you need a racing bike," explained Hohmann, who when he is not out on the road, can be found at his business, Wolfi's Bike Shop.
"I have tried running and playing tennis a little bit in summer but it's more difficult when you're not moving so fast so it's easier to cycle with a speed of maybe 25-50km/hour. You can also hydrate easier when you have your bottles with you on the bike and can drink regularly.
"We actually get more riders during the summertime than during the wintertime. I think during the winter people have other things that they do but they feel in the summer it's just too hot."
So, dealing with the sun doesn't seem too much of a problem, but what about the infamous Dubai drivers?
"The more people ride and the more things we do in terms of education, the more people in cars will see cyclists as part of the community and part of the traffic and give them a bit more space," reckons Hohmann.
"As we are riding with support cars and in remote areas like Nad al Sheba, it's fairly safe.
Not the safest place in the world but people take precautions with safety clothes, helmets, lights and bikes in good condition."
Dawn Montgomery, who has been riding with the Dubai Roadsters for the last 18 months, says: "For anyone who likes to cycle, Dubai has its limitations and the best way I've found to get around them is to ride with a group.
"A lone cyclist on the road is difficult for drivers to see, whereas 100 cyclists are hard to miss, especially with support cars with flashing lights and signs.
"Some of my friends think I'm crazy to get up before the sun every Friday morning, but the rewards are worth it. It's a fantastic workout and I always feel great afterwards. And I also like the social part of it," added Montgomery.
Hohmann explained that about 10-15 per cent of the Dubai Roadsters are local riders.
"We were riding through Mirdiff at about 6am and one local rider said to me, 'I've never seen my own country like this before. Thank you.'
"These are key moments I will remember forever and that's why we do this."
