As cycling enthusiasts for many years, we believe that the time has come for women to be better represented in the world of cycling. To ensure that all women endeavouring to embark upon, continue or improve their cycling skills, it is necessary to create a race league dedicated to representing and highlighting their efforts, making them more visible in the public eye.
Enter, the Urban-Ultra Women’s Cycle League, sponsored by TREK and High5
October 31, 2015 marked the start of the season for the Urban-Ultra Women’s Cycle League. With 12 teams as of now we have certainly created a stir on the local cycle scene.
Our mission is simple, to connect and inspire all levels of female cyclists and our vision is to increase numbers and elevate the competitive level of female riders
How the League Works
- The UAE Cycling Federation (UAECF) will dedicate a specific category for a female-specific race within their annual events.
- Teams should consist of a maximum seven team training ladies, five max to race per event (min. three riders for Team Time Trial. No minimum for standard races). Training teams may consist of more riders – however, splitting larger teams to form individual teams would be preferable to spread the talent
- Teams may be sponsored by a company who will pay for team-negotiated items. Teams may also be formed without a sponsor – the only thing you need is matching kit, and of course your local UCI licence to race
So far our teams have participated in the following races:
The Al Qudra Season Opener – an 85 km loop with beautifully low temperatures for the 6:00 a.m. start which didn’t change much over the course of the next 3hrs where 30 women, for some their first, raced the 84km distance around the Al Qudra Cycle Path
UAECF Ain Al Ghamour Kalba 70k
The second UUWCL race and first UAECF race of the season took place on the 13th November 2015 in beautiful Kalba. 25 women rolled out along the Corniche at Kalba — a fantastic race and a show of the strength from the UAE’s female cyclists. From the head-turning sight of 25 liveried women cycling along the Kalba Corniche, the experienced cyclists enthusiastically supporting and advising newer cyclists, many of whom were competing in their first race.
EKRCC TTT Nov 15 – 50k
A chilly yet damp morning saw 35 women from nine league teams out of 11 gather at the start line of the EKRCC Team Time Trial to pit their four-woman teams against each other over a rolling 50km loop at Al Qudra Cycle Track.
At one-minute intervals the teams clipped in across the start line to form their disciplined pace lines and headed out into the light mist blanketing the dunes, to finish as fast as they can as a group.
Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge 2015
This usual challenge marked our first race within the elite category with the objective to try out some team tactics, keep a high-steady speed and get a break-away where possible to avoid a sprint finish. “It was a very strong ride from all the girls. BeSport and Cycle Hub had it well marked out and the teams that did the work got the points at the end.
ADCO Liwa Cycling Challenge 2016
It was fantastic to see so many female riders participating in such a challenging event. I believe that the Urban-Ultra Women’s Cycle League sponsored by TREK and High5 has been a major contributing factor to this. Many women have been inspired to train harder, reach further and feel more involved in the women’s cycling community. We saw some amazing performances from many women at the weekend.
Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet Cycle Race
On Friday February 5th we participated in the race up the steep jebel hafeet mountain. The race started just outside of the Green Mubazzarah, a beautiful area at the bottom of Jebel Hafeet. With “only” 11 brave ladies appearing at the start line. The first 15km were flat and winding around the wide roads and roundabouts to then start the real climb to race up the steep mountain for the finish.
Clare Mullenger from the Urban-Ultra Team had this to say about the league.“As a new cyclist I love the camaraderie of cycling with other women. I feel much safer cycling with women – generally women cycle to their ability, while sometimes men use their power to keep up with a group above their ability but then when they get tired, begin to weave which becomes dangerous.”
Amber Mirza of the TREK Tigress Team had this to add: “The league has taken me places I would never have imagined, physically and mentally. I am fitter, tougher and continuing to grow stronger each day. Every race is a learning experience. We must take everything we can get and apply it forward. “
Women’s cycling is getting more and more publicity on a global scale and we are no different here in the UAE. The league has done amazing things to get the sport in the public eye, heads are turned, questions are asked and moments are created.
We are here to help improve the sport for females and to eventually see a Dubai Tour with a full International Female pro team roster with a possibility of our stronger league teams joining in to compete. For more information on the league log on to: www.urbanultracycleleague.com or email events@urbanulra.com.
Words by: Louise Adamson
Photos supplied by: Louise Adamson, PHISHFOTOZ
