Camels, Dunes, and Wadis Loop (United Arab Emirates)

When to go

• This is a winter-only ride (December – March). Summertime highs are easily over 40 degrees Celsius as are much of the spring and fall.  November or April are possible, but it will definitely be hotter and you must check the weather forecast carefully to catch a cool weather window.

Logistics

• Renting a car from Dubai airport is probably the easiest and fastest way to get to the trailhead (and run last minute errands in Dubai). Arranging this as a tourist in the airport is super easy and you could theoretically be starting your ride within 2 hours after arriving at the airport.
• If you don’t want to rent a car, you could probably arrange a shuttle with Wolfi’s Bike Shop in Dubai.
• Hiring a taxi to take you from the airport to the trailhead is an option, albeit very pricey (~$100). Not recommended.
• Overnight parking is available at the trailhead.
• Even though the UAE is a very modern and welcoming country, it’s still conservative in many aspects, so please be respectful, and act and dress modestly. Shorts are fine while riding, but try not to ride shirtless and don’t enter a mosque or a supermarket dressed inappropriately.

Dangers and Annoyances

• If there is rain in the forecast, or a slight hint of rain clouds in the sky, get off trail immediately. Flash floods in the wadis are no joke and happen so quickly that you can get caught off guard in an instant. Many people have died because of the flash floods and cars have been swept away and destroyed (my car was flooded in a parking spot in Dubai during one storm!).
• High winds could cause sand and dust storms that impede visibility and cover the route to the point of it being indistinguishable. Once again, do your weather homework before setting out. For the most part, the weather in the UAE is quite stable and predictable; however, storms do occur and are easily avoided if the weather forecast has been researched in advance.
• For the small portions that you are on a paved road, watch out for some crazy driving. There is plenty of shoulder on almost all the roads, but many drivers speed insanely while at the same time texting on their phone.
• As mentioned before, there are a lot of roaming camels in the country, but they DO belong to somebody, most likely a local farmer. Therefore, be respectful and don’t chase them or go up close to them without the permission of the farmer.
• The UAE is probably one of the safest places in the Middle East, if not the world. The crime rate is extremely low and theft is almost unheard of. Nevertheless, use common sense.
• Wolfi’s Bike Shop Dubai: https://wbs.ae/. The staff there, especially the maintenance people, are avid riders in the UAE and will have a lot of beta to share. It’s also the best place to pick up any last minute gear or supplies.

Travel basics

• Flying into Dubai is probably the easiest and most affordable option.
• The UAE is quick to welcome visitors and tourists so many nationalities can obtain a visa-on-arrival at the airport. However, check your home country’s appropriate ministry or department for specific travel requirements before arriving.

• Wild camping is permissible almost anywhere in the country. As long as you’re not camping inside someone’s fenced area or immediately beside someone’s home, then you are fine. However, it’s still best practice to follow Leave-No-Trace and discreet camping ethics. When in doubt, ask (most can understand and communicate using basic English).

• Supermarkets and gas stations throughout the country offer a wide-range of food options that can satisfy any dietary preference. They won’t have the gluten free or vegan specific options as the supermarkets in Dubai, but they will definitely have food that can fit your needs. If you desire something specific, I suggest stocking up on it beforehand  in Dubai at any of the major supermarket chains (Carrefour, Spinney’s, LuLu’s).
• There are also many restaurants in each of the towns you pass through. Theoretically, one could eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the route and not cook at all, but then would it really be bikepacking??
• Free water is available at almost any mosque – and there are a lot of mosques in the country and along the route. The water is potable so no need for a filter unless you would rather be extra cautious.
• There are also several water tanks with filters attached along the route. This water is usually cold and meant for the public in need of a drink. Keep your eyes open for them as they look like a soda fountain at a fast food joint with 2-3 spigots . They are located on roads just outside of houses.
• Post-ride libations can be found at many hotel restaurants in Dubai, albeit pricey. Our favorite is BFF at the Movenpick Hotel in Ibn Battuta Gate. Alcohol is illegal in the Emirate of Sharjah, in which a portion of the route runs.

• There is a short, but impressive, hike-a-bike section about ten miles past the town of Masafi. The government built a new highway and filled in an entire wadi full of dirt and gravel. The hike-a-bike is up a steep access road used by heavy equipment from the bottom of the wadi to the highway.
• There are some short sandy areas along the route that can eat up some skinnier MTB tires.
• A MTB with plus-sized tubeless tires is best for this route – 2.6” wide tires would be the absolute minimum. Suspension is unnecessary. I rode a Surly ECR with a 3.0” front tire and 2.6” back tire while my buddy rode a Surly Ice Cream Truck fat bike. He commented the fat bike was too slow for most of the route. The ECR was cruisey throughout.