Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi Cycling Club present the 2nd edition of the Khalifa University Century Challenge.
The objective is for participants to complete this amazing ride, it is not a race.
On the morning check-in will be at Khalifa University grounds Abu Dhabi from 4:30am and the ride will begin at 6:00am, finishing at Mercure Hotel on Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain around midday.
The route is 190km starting from Khalifa University with an approximate total ascent of 1400m including the infamous Jebel Hafeet climb. There will be 4 feed stations along the route, along with neutral support vehicles carrying water and nutrition.
This route mixes the modern inner city views with rolling sand dunes out towards Sweihan, into the garden oasis of Al Ain city and finally the mountain of Jebel Hafeet, promising breathtaking scenery and a memorable ride.
The route will be on open public highways with police assistance at intersections and roundabouts. We kindly request you adhere to traffic rules and other road users, using hard shoulder and 1 lane only on the right side.
In interest of participant safety there are 4 assigned speed groups for you to register in.
Average Speed Pod Group A - Riders capable of holding a 38km/h average across the distance, starting at 6:00am
Average Speed Pod Group B - Riders capable of holding a 34 - 37km/h average across the distance, starting at 6:02am
Average Speed Pod Group C - Riders capable of holding a 30 - 33km/h average across the distance, starting at 6:04am
Average Speed Pod Group D - Riders capable of maintaining a minimum speed of 28km/h average across the distance, starting at 6:06 am
If you wish to enter as a team/club, you can enter the name in the online registration form. Please note support vehicles and police are there to assist the 4 main groups and should a team wish to ride within their own group it is that team's responsibility to have their own support vehicle and understand the police are supporting the whole event not only their team.
We reiterate the objective is to complete the challenge and that the event is not a race - we encourage the participants to help others to reach the finish.
Should you start dropping back from your group you will be collected by the following group, however, beyond Group D we cannot support you and you MUST agree as part of the registration process to be collected by our sweeper vehicles/ bus/truck and driven to the finish.
FEED STATIONS and CUT OFF POINTS
Station 1 at 54km which must be reached by 8:10am (maximum rest and refuel time is 10 minutes)
Station 2 at 112km which must be reached by no later than 10:30am (maximum rest and refuel time is 10 minutes)
Station 3 at 159km which must be reached by no later than 11:50am (maximum rest and refuel time is 10 minutes)
Station 4 at 175km at Green Mubazzarah before the start of the climb up Jebel Hafeet.
In the interest of participant safety, participants from Group A/B/C who do not reach the feed stations within allocated time will have to wait for the following group to rejoin the ride. Participants from Group D not making the feedstations in time have to take the provided transport to the finish.
On arrival at the finish you will be provided with a buffet meal with rooms to shower and change within the hotel facilities.
Return transport back to Khalifa University will be by bus, which is a non refundable user pay service of Dhs30 per person, alternatively you can make your own arrangements with family and friends.
This ride is not easy and requires a high level of fitness to take part due to the distance and the amount of climbing and bike handling skills for the descents.
Please ensure you are sufficient in basic bike mechanic skills and have your own spare innertubes or puncture repair kits. We wish for all participants to complete the challenge by bicycle and not as a passenger in a support vehicle.
