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Dubai Ride 2025: Thousands take part as Sheikh Zayed Road turns into giant cycling track
Dubai Ride is the region’s largest community cycling event, offering cyclists a unique opportunity to experience Dubai's iconic landmarks
A whooping 40,327 cycling lovers — both amateurs and professionals — took part in this year's sixth edition of Dubai Ride on Sunday (November 2), as the city's iconic Sheikh Zayed Road turned into a giant track.
Some came with their families while others joined the event with their friends and colleagues. Meanwhile, for many children, it was a chance to make core memories and enjoy a morning of exercise and fun.
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Held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, the Dubai Ride is the region’s largest community cycling event, offering cyclists a unique opportunity to experience Dubai's iconic landmarks.
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1-year-old cyclist
For 1-year-old Diana, neither the early morning wake-up nor the crowds were a hindrance to enjoying the ride along Sheikh Zayed Road with her father, Dmitrii. Sitting in the child seat behind her father, she observed the track and soaked in the views.
Hailing from Ukraine, this was the first time the father-daughter duo were participating in the Dubai Ride 2025. “She loves riding,” the proud father told Khaleej Times, while he made a pitstop in front of the Museum of the Future to check on her. “I have been riding with her since she was eight months old and this our time together."
Dmitrii and Diana were among the thousands of cyclists who took to the roads on Sunday for the sixth edition of Dubai Ride, which kicked off almost exactly at sunrise. An array of Dubai Police supercars led the way followed by Talabat delivery riders. While some were enthusiastic and pumped for the once-a-year adventure, others yawned and rubbed the sleep out of their eyes.
For 7-year-old Vihaan and his father Sreeraj, it was their first time participating in the event. “I wanted him to have the experience of cycling on Sheikh Zayed Roady,” said Sreeraj. “I think such experiences are important for children. So I woke him up at 4:45. He was really excited.”
The duo was joined by Sreeraj’s friend Aleena, who has been a regular at the event for the last four years. “She was my motivator,” said Sreeraj. “Hopefully we will come back next year as well.”
Cyclists began arriving for the event as early as 4:00am. Rolling road closures were put in from 3am onwards and the Dubai Metro began operations early to allow riders to reach the event on time.
Philippines national Tisha Ruiz has been a loyal participant of the event since the first year. “Every year for six years, I have a photo outside the Museum of the Future,” she said. “It’s one of my favourite events of the year.”
She said she would be joining her husband who had participated in the speed laps.
Group activity
Six-year-old cyclist Fazza Faheem was part of a 70-member strong fitness community that participated in the ride. The group, called Sweat Strong, has been participating in Dubai Ride for the last three years.
“We try to arrange fitness activities every week throughout the year,” said Nishitha, who founded the group along with her friend Nithin. “Our members range from six years to sixty years and we do various activities including hiking, cycling and rock climbing. The Dubai Fitness Challenge is one of our favorite times of the year.”
For Yaqoub Al Zarouni, manager of Dubai Fitness Challenge at the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most heartwarming thing about the activity was seeing families come out in large numbers for the ride.
“We really saw the happiness in all the participating members,” he said. “We are talking about whole families waking up at 4am and making the effort to come to Sheikh Zayed Road and participate in this. This shows that the Dubai Fitness Challenge is actually achieving its goal of making families taking care of their wellness and making fitness their lifestyle.”
Speed Laps
Amateur and professional cyclists were wheels up on Sheikh Zayed Road for the speed laps a little after 5am on Sunday as the emirate witnessed the sixth edition of Dubai Ride 2025 kick off.
Donning their helmets and protective gear, the riders took off in batches from the starting point near the Dubai World Trade Centre. They were given until 5:45am to finish as many laps as they wanted of the 12km route, which took them past the Dubai Canal Bridge and back.
Those who wanted to could return to any of the starting points across the road and join their friends and family for the leisure ride, which began at 6:15.
It was last year that experienced cyclists who have an average speed of 30kmph or more were first given the exclusive opportunity to whizz past the iconic Dubai skyline ahead of the official start of the ride. Only those with road bikes and who know how to ride in a peloton are permitted to participate in this round of the event.
Amateur cyclists who began their ride at 6:15, have two main routes to choose from. The 12km Sheikh Zayed Road Route was for more experienced cyclists, while the 4km Downtown Family Route provides a flat, family-friendly loop around Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa — perfect for young children and riders of all abilities.
Riders had multiple start gates across Sheikh Zayed Road route to choose from and a single start gate on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard route. They were given until 8:15 to finish their ride and exit the route. Road closures are scheduled to be in place until 10am.
Nasreen Abdulla
Nasreen Abdulla is a Special Correspondent covering food, tech and human interest stories. When not challenged by deadlines, you’ll find her pulling off submissions on the jiu jitsu mats.
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