Qatar - A Cyclist's Haven

Qatar, even though it's situated in one of the hottest parts of the planet, it does have mind blowing cycling tracks in addition to its Guinness world record secured recently for laying the world’s longest continuous cycle path.

However, the cycling track along the Ras Abu Abboud expressway has been attracting an increasing number of fitness enthusiasts who come in groups during weekends to engage in a healthy lifestyle.

Bicycles come in various types, like, starting from mountain bikes (MTB) and road bikes (racers) to folding bikes, BMX, skate boards to roller blades which roll on the paved and green painted path from the Ras Abu Aboud bridge (near the national museum) and goes to different directions towards Hamad International Airport, F ring road intersection (along Al Matar Street at ‘Free Zone’ metro station), Barwa Village and towards Al-Wakra.

“Until I came cycling in this path, I never realized Qatar had such a beautiful greenery which was totally unexplored,” said Zaaky Ahamed, an enthusiastic budding cyclist.

“The path it self motivates us to continue cycling with its high standards of maintenance, well constructed resting points along the way, safer due to well lit lights throughout; it’s a must experience in Doha,” said Fawzan Faiz another enthusiast.

The best part in this cycle lane is that it’s a ‘two-way’ lane so we could always see who’s on the opposite side and just say “hi” to anybody known. Moreover, along the cycle path we see lush greenery on either sides of the track where many families & groups use it for recreation plus as a hang out point.

While recently, Qatar bagged the Guinness records for the longest continuous cycle lane, it also aims to enhance the cycle lanes to more than 550 km around the country by the year 2022 which reminds us of FIFA2022. Yes, FIFA2022 is bringing in a lot of benefits and developments to Qatar and it’s residents. So let’s make use of these developments given to us on the platter.

I, myself started cycling since last two months and my self and my cycling buddies have already started seeing health benefits as well. When we were kids we would’ve done crazy stuff on cycles, and with age those memories always give us goose bumps. Since I started, it took me back to an era of 20 plus years and what I understand is it’s a great sport to re-start to keep us healthy while relaxing our body, mind & soul. So, I urge you all those passionate cyclists to keep up the good job while requesting the yester year cyclists to get back on your saddles and find your long lost love.

- A note from; Gaf's Diary - Doha