It seems that the Etape/sportif fad has even reached these distant shores. On November 14 a few hundred (?) cyclists will line up for the Spinneys Coast to Coast Challenge, 180 kms from Spinneys in Mirdiff, Dubai, through the desert of the central UAE, and over the Hajjar mountains and Wadi Hilo before descending to the East coast of the UAE, and finishing at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort on the shores of the Indian Ocean. This is, of course, too good a chance to turn down. Will it end up being a burnup between the top national riders? Probably, but there should be a sizable ‘chatting group’ for the rest of us. And at least the weather should be better than the Etape… Organised by the UAE Cycling Federation, supported by Spinneys and Wolfi’s Bike Shop Dubai. Coverage in the local press.

It seems that the Etape/sportif fad has even reached these distant shores. On November 14 a few hundred (?) cyclists will line up for the Spinneys Coast to Coast Challenge, 180 kms from Spinneys in Mirdiff, Dubai, through the desert of the central UAE, and over the Hajjar mountains and Wadi Hilo before descending to the East coast of the UAE, and finishing at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort on the shores of the Indian Ocean. This is, of course, too good a chance to turn down. Will it end up being a burnup between the top national riders? Probably, but there should be a sizable ‘chatting group’ for the rest of us. And at least the weather should be better than the Etape…

Organised by the UAE Cycling Federation, supported by Spinneys and Wolfi’s Bike Shop Dubai.

Coverage in the local press.