MTB in Hatta, UAE

I did a couple of weekends there in November while on a work trip, and rented bikes from Hubbers at Hatta, glad I was wearing headphones to dampen the rattles from the bikes, they had Levo’s and Stumpjumpers but they got the job done, not cheap and I’d imagine you’d need to remortgage your house to get a proper high end bike.

My 2 rides to give you an idea of what’s there.

https://strava.app.link/hU2PJH9JYGb

https://strava.app.link/VN9qZ2aKYGb

Thanks Jimmy, did you pre book with Hubbers, or how did you communicate with them before to book?

Did you rent a car and drive over from Dubai; if so was it easy to get about and on the roads?

I was planning to do similar to what you rode, is one loop better than the other, or any recommendations? I have the whole day free, possible to do both loops in a day or is the heat a big factor? I saw you had 25degree which doesn't sound too bad, but quite a bit of climbing.

I rode there on one of the on-site hire bikes, a Stumpjumper something. It was alright once I'd adjusted the controls and got some oil circulating in the forks, but if you can get a better bike I would.

The previous day I hired a road bike from Wolfie's which was a good experience, but I don't know if they do MTBs.. definitely worth a try though. Expensive but they were very accommodating.

Thanks molgrips, interesting about the road bike tour, did you upload it on Strava or similar, would be interested to see the route?

I had an free afternoon prior to the weekend and drove over (definitely get a rental car) there to kill time and check it out, it’s a pretty cool place in general and a dam where you can rent kayak’s etc just up the road.

Had a quick chat with them and looked at the trail map, but they have a decent amount of bikes and no need to book, the first Levo I took out seemed close to full power, but the dropper didn’t work properly so took it back, then next ones dropper worked but was lower power, they remove the displays so you can’t log in and adjust anything.

Of all the things I did there, the Camel racing was the most interesting, the races themselves are dull, you can go above the start line, get right next to the track at the start and finish and camels, also completely free.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9bx49FnnFij7sQoc8?g_st=ic

I see also there's a trail system at Wadi Showka, not so far away from Hatta, has anyone ridden there?

This is the 'road' ride at Al Qudra:

https://www.strava.com/activities/8729815003

It was cool to be in the desert, it was also hot, windy and dry (obviously) despite being dry - but the hire bike only had one bottle cage and there's no water on the route.

This is the MTB ride at Hatta:

https://www.strava.com/activities/8736022895

Water is a big deal.  It's so dry that water leaves your body rapidly anyway even if you are standing around. If you try and drink the same amount you would at home, even in summer, you will get dehydrated.  Even though you're at a trail centre it's proper desert and you need to be prepared or you'll get into trouble.  I stuck bottles in my jersey on the road bike - it wasn't enough.  At Hatta I borrowed a backpack and filled it with bottled water - still wasn't enough!

Did you rent a car and drive over from Dubai; if so was it easy to get about and on the roads?

That's what I did - driving around the UAE is fine, but that massive road through Dubai is quite.. fun...

Well, just to report back that I spent a day at Hatta and really enjoyed the landscape and warm weather. One full loop on a FS XC bike and then full loop on the eMTB, can say the 2nd lap was way easier lol:

Nice. How hot was it?

Dubai has been 22-25c this week mostly.

Nice. How hot was it?

25c, mainly sunny but a little cloud cover at times and the gentle breeze was lovely.

Nice, you did well there. It was roasting when I went in March!

I have some photos from the exact same spots as you 🙂