To be brutally honest, there are no mountains in Qatar, but has this ever stopped a true mountain biker at heart? Instead of “mountain biking” perhaps a more accurate term would be “off-road biking”, but I am still happy to report that you will find a very large mountain bike community here that like to take their bikes off-road.
It all comes down to adding a bit of creativity to your ride and that is what makes it fun out here! There are a couple of locations where you can go for a ride and the different riding terrains give each location its own unique experience. If you ever wanted to take a fatbike out for a ride, Qatar just has the perfect setting for you to enjoy proper desert pleasure!
Duhail (GPS: 25.392972, 51.485957) is an area in Doha where the mountain bike community has mapped out their own track, which consists of short sections of Jeep track, and some single tracks with short inclines to make the legs tired after a few laps. The ground is mostly hard packed sand with some rocky sections. Take note not to cycle here after a rainy day as the surface becomes very soft and muddy and riding is not possible. It is best to ask one of the local riders to take you to the start of this course as there are no sign posts to the track.
At Fuwairit Beach (GPS: 26.078392, 51.358784) you will find a small rock section where you can ride up and down to practice some technical skills. For a longer ride, hit the desert road up to the north and ride all the way to Al Mafjar beach and back (about a 30km ride). It is a flat terrain with some sandy sections but if you combine it with a headwind you will get a good work out all together!
Al Khor (GPS: 25.705915, 51.535194) in front of the Al Khor community grounds on the beach side there is also a track made by fellow mountain bikers if you want to go for a ride outside Doha that is not that far to drive. It is also a short loop so you can do a few laps for some training. The terrain is a combination of hard packed sand with a few inclines and a surprise sand patch or two.
Zekreet (GPS: 25.485944, 50.846111).This is the area where you can cover some good miles. Located on the west coast of the country, with the famous mushroom-like limestone formations, this is where you can have some fun in the sun! You can start at the village or drive a bit further and start your ride at the gate of the nature reserve. There are some landmarks like the mystery village or film city to see and if you are lucky enough, you can spot some wildlife — the iconic Oryx, here that makes the drive out worthwhile. There is no marked trail so you can just hit the road for some proper mountain bike exploring. Remember to pack in your BBQ and swimsuit to relax and cool down after your ride at the beach.
Inland Sea (GPS to Sealine Beach Resort24.862465, 51.514583) is the playground for your fatbike (or mountain bike)! Located in the south of the country, this is where you will find the natural sand dunes. You can start at Sealine beach resort and follow the “desert highway” all the way to the Inland Sea. If you are on your fatbike, be sure that you go off the beaten track and try to ride out some of the sand dunes along the way. It is good to have a support vehicle with you as there are many day visitors that visit the area in their 4×4’s. Also remember to always carry enough water with you — there are no water points along the way!
The best time to ride of course is during the winter from mid-October to mid-April when the temperature is cooler and less humid. However, if you are really keen to get out during the summer months, the best is to either do some night riding (with a head light of course) or start really early before 5:00 a.m.
When planning a mountain biking trip to Qatar it is best to get in touch with the local cycling groups. The most popular groups are Qatar Chain Reaction, United Filipino Mountain Bikers Qatar (UFMBQ) and Qatar Cyclists. All of these groups have Facebook pages where you can connect with likeminded riders, and as you know mountain bikers are “friendly bikers” so they are always happy to welcome new riders or visitors in the country!
Every year more and more events are added to the cycling calendar and this includes mountain biking. Most events are in lap race format which adds to the excitement and also make it more user-friendly for friends and family to join for the day. The most popular event at this stage is the “Inland Sea Traverse” that takes place normally towards the end of the cycling season in April, where you race from the Sealine Beach Resort to the Inland Sea over six sand dunes. Proper mountain biking desert fun! Do keep an eye on the cycling group community pages for updates on all local events.
I truly believe that if you are currently living in the Middle East and like to explore new countries, you should use this opportunity and come and explore Qatar on your bike! Although we have no mountains there is always a desert that provides a good challenge and reward!
Words by: Eulogy van Dyk
Photos by: Edgardo C. Bacay
