Qatar Rail held a unique cycling event in one of the tunnels of Doha Metro recently. The cyclists participating in the event, organised in collaboration with the Qatar Cycling Community, took a route that covered around 10km of a single-track tunnel.

The cycling challenge marked the launch of an initiative that would include many more events to come, aimed at increasing public awareness about Qatar Rail’s developments, according to a press statement.
More than 50 cyclists from the Qatar Cycling Community and members of Qatar Rail staff cycled from the Soudan station up to Sports City station, back again to Soudan and then up to Aspire Park. The cycling challenge took place in the Gold Line tunnel.
The tunnel, which makes up the Golden Line is 30km in total, the route the cyclists took was around 10km of a single-track tunnel. The Gold Line starts at Al Aziziya and concludes at Ras Bu Aboud, the line comprises 10 stations and passes through the main station in Msheireb.

Cyclists at the end of the challenge

This was the first time the tunnel has been opened for member of the cyclists to enjoy. At 10km, with uneven surfaces and unknown territory, it was an interesting challenge for any rider. Qatar Rail "ensured the highest standard of health and safety" during the challenge, it said in the statement.
Commenting on the “first-of-its-kind” event in the region, Abdulla Abdulaziz al-Subaie, managing director, CEO and chairman of the Executive Committee of Qatar Rail, said: “The completion of this tunnel is a key milestone for Qatar Rail, we look forward to hold more events of this kind to showcase the deliverance of Qatar Rail projects and bring us closer to the community, that’s the essence behind the ‘Rail Challenge’ initiative.”
Hamad Ibrahim al-Bishri, deputy CEO of Qatar Rail, who participated in the challenge, went on to say: “Qatar Rail is delighted to collaborate with the Qatar Cycling Community for this event and give them the chance to experience the tunnels before they are fully operational.”
Qatar Cycling Community Dr Abdulaziz Jeham al-Kuwairi president added, “We are delighted to collaborate with Qatar Rail for this unique cycling event. It’s an honour for us to be the first cyclists to ride in the recently constructed tunnel. We are pleased that such initiatives support the sport of cycling. We thank the Qatar Rail management for ensuring the comfort and safety of our cyclists.”