Dubai Ride will introduce its first Dress Your Ride competition this year, with Dh10,000 available in each of four categories for cyclists who decorate their bicycles, wear costumes, or combine both on the day of the event.

The competition will recognise the best overall bike, the most creative theme, the best family costume and the best group costume. Participants who want to enter must pose for official event photographers, who will capture the competition entries during the ride.

Dubai Ride, presented by DP World, is scheduled to return for its sixth edition on Sunday, November 1. The free community cycling event will close part of Sheikh Zayed Road to vehicles and turn it into a route for thousands of riders.

Cyclists on the course are expected to pass several Dubai landmarks, including the Museum of the Future, Dubai Water Canal, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera. More than 40,000 people took part last year, more than twice the number recorded for the inaugural edition in 2020.

The ride will be the opening flagship event of the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, which runs from October 31 to November 29. The initiative, launched in 2017 by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, encourages residents and visitors to complete 30 minutes of exercise each day for 30 days. Its first nine editions attracted more than 16 million participants.

Routes and registration

Participants can choose between two routes. The 12km Sheikh Zayed Road Route is recommended for more experienced cyclists and passes the Museum of the Future, Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa. Riders can start at the Museum of the Future, Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay or Lower Financial Street.

The 4km Downtown Family Route is a flat loop designed for families, young children and cyclists of all abilities. It takes riders around Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Ride is not a timed race, and riders have been asked to observe a 25km/h speed limit.

For the past two years, cyclists aged above 21 have also been able to take part in speed laps on Sheikh Zayed Road for one hour before the community ride begins. Those riders were required to maintain an average speed of 30km/h while completing the 12km route between Dubai World Trade Centre and Safa Park and returning, and had to leave the route by 6am. It remains unclear whether the speed-laps segment will be offered this year.

Registration is mandatory despite the event being free and can be completed online at dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Organisers require registration for safety and security reasons. Parents and legal guardians may register up to three children and must accept the relevant waiver for participants under 18.

Registered riders must collect their bib numbers from the Dubai Municipality 30x30 Fitness Village at Zabeel Park. Bib and T-shirt collection will be available from October 28 to 31.