Dubai: It’s that time of the year when adventure bikers in the UAE go full throttle.
BMW R1200GS, Honda Africa Twin, BMW F800GS, KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, Yamaha Super Tenere ... the list of fancy bikes that one can see on the road is long. But just where are they headed?
“Hilly Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah,” said Martin Victor Alva, an expert wadi and mountain biker based in the UAE. “These emirates have the perfect off-road tracks for rugged bikes,” he said.
According to Alva, venturing into the unknown and coming face to face with the unexpected is what the thrill of riding is all about. Here’s his list of the top riding spots in the UAE:
Wadi Sal, Ras Al Khaimah (GPS co-ordinates - 25.785356, 56.074531)
This off-shoot gravel track is on the way to Jebel Jais. A favourite destination for four-wheel enthusiasts, this place is also very popular among bikers. The route has a single entry-exit and the climb is fairly steep with gravel.
Wadi Naqab, Ras Al Khaimah (25.703706, 56.065421)
This path is an extension of the Wadi Sal route, ending close to the Oman border. One must keep a close eye on the GPS coordinates, else it could be easy to lose the way.
Tower Climb, Fujairah (25.560227, 56.089590)
Alva says this is by far one of the best off-road spots, accidentally discovered by his team. There is no cellular network on the hill top but the place is great to camp overnight and enjoy a view of Dibba.
Shawka Flats, Ras Al Khaimah
(25.036801, 55.810816)
This is a perfect spot for those who ride adventure bikes and the softer enduro motorcycles. The ride starts with some flat ‘sabkah’ gravel tracks that lead into the hills of Shawka.
Shawka Dam, Ras Al Khaimah (25.097855, 56.031656)
This is an extension of the Shawka flats track. The terrain can get a bit challenging here, yet it is a good place for a small group to come down and ride. Many riders have their family following them on SUVs during winter.
The Big Slope, Ras Al Khaimah (25.161030, 56.138926)
This is a rather challenging track as the terrain is very tricky with loose gravel and steep inclines. There are points where riders really struggle.
This is definitely not for someone who has just started riding.
