Cycling has become an increasingly popular sport and recreational activity in Qatar since the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, inspiring more residents to stay active and healthy.
“The number of cyclists and enthusiasts just grew exponentially where many people made the move of training from indoors to outdoors because the gyms and pools were (temporarily) closed,” Qatar Chain Reaction’s (QCR) Saturday Social Ride cyclist Adiel Mohamed told Gulf Times.
During that period, he said that many citizens and residents also bought new bicycles and “now enjoying it a lot more than before because of being forced to start cycling.”
It is learnt that the Covid-19 situation also witnessed a demand surge for different types of bicycles and cycling apparel and accessories in the country from last year – a sign of the growing appeal of cycling to both individuals and families.
“What makes cycling amazing, it is a group sport, besides the training part there is the social aspect as well like going to coffee rides, meeting different people on the rides, it’s the exciting part of buying a new bike, buying the clothes, buying the accessories.
“And coming from a cyclist who has been cycling for over 20 years it’s an amazing sport to keep fit, you can definitely push yourself to either racing or just recreational or like myself just being a café rider, riding to stop for a coffee. It’s a better option in my opinion than running, some people enjoy running some people prefer cycling over running cause in their opinion it’s a bit easier than running and I share the same sentiment,” Mohamed said.
Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR), one of the largest groups of cyclists in Qatar which holds Friday and Saturday bike rides year-round, in addition to several races and cycling events, provides useful information on its website for both cyclists and enthusiasts, especially those who are new in the country.
Layla Bernal, a member of a Filipino cycling group called “Doha ChiQlistas At TamBikes Qatar”, shares Mohamed’s view saying that cycling has enticed an increasing number of “kabayans” to engage “in an enjoyable” physical activity.
Besides being a reliable mode of transportation, she said cycling is an excellent and effective way to stay fit and healthy, and a mood booster.
Bernal noted that unlike others, she prefers to cycle during the summer than the cold months “because I sweat a lot and I burn more calories (losing 10kg) during the summer, which also requires fewer clothes.”
She said she likes the bike paths in Qatar, especially the 33km Olympic Cycling Track (OCT), providing safe and smooth rides for cyclists.
According to QCR, “the construction of the OCT – a road dedicated to cyclists – has been a game-changer for the serious cyclist.”
The Qatar Cycling Federation noted that this car-free two-lane road connects Doha and Al Bayt Stadium outside Al Khor, enabling safe riding round the clock. It features 29 tunnels and five bridges, as well as parking areas, and was designed to host international sports competitions.
Other cycling paths in the country include Losail International Circuit, Al Shahaniya to Al Jamailiyah cycle path, Ceremonial Road, and C Ring to Airport cycle path, among others. (Source: QCR website).
“The number of cyclists and enthusiasts just grew exponentially where many people made the move of training from indoors to outdoors because the gyms and pools were (temporarily) closed,” Qatar Chain Reaction’s (QCR) Saturday Social Ride cyclist Adiel Mohamed told Gulf Times.
During that period, he said that many citizens and residents also bought new bicycles and “now enjoying it a lot more than before because of being forced to start cycling.”
It is learnt that the Covid-19 situation also witnessed a demand surge for different types of bicycles and cycling apparel and accessories in the country from last year – a sign of the growing appeal of cycling to both individuals and families.
“What makes cycling amazing, it is a group sport, besides the training part there is the social aspect as well like going to coffee rides, meeting different people on the rides, it’s the exciting part of buying a new bike, buying the clothes, buying the accessories.
“And coming from a cyclist who has been cycling for over 20 years it’s an amazing sport to keep fit, you can definitely push yourself to either racing or just recreational or like myself just being a café rider, riding to stop for a coffee. It’s a better option in my opinion than running, some people enjoy running some people prefer cycling over running cause in their opinion it’s a bit easier than running and I share the same sentiment,” Mohamed said.
Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR), one of the largest groups of cyclists in Qatar which holds Friday and Saturday bike rides year-round, in addition to several races and cycling events, provides useful information on its website for both cyclists and enthusiasts, especially those who are new in the country.
Layla Bernal, a member of a Filipino cycling group called “Doha ChiQlistas At TamBikes Qatar”, shares Mohamed’s view saying that cycling has enticed an increasing number of “kabayans” to engage “in an enjoyable” physical activity.
Besides being a reliable mode of transportation, she said cycling is an excellent and effective way to stay fit and healthy, and a mood booster.
Bernal noted that unlike others, she prefers to cycle during the summer than the cold months “because I sweat a lot and I burn more calories (losing 10kg) during the summer, which also requires fewer clothes.”
She said she likes the bike paths in Qatar, especially the 33km Olympic Cycling Track (OCT), providing safe and smooth rides for cyclists.
According to QCR, “the construction of the OCT – a road dedicated to cyclists – has been a game-changer for the serious cyclist.”
The Qatar Cycling Federation noted that this car-free two-lane road connects Doha and Al Bayt Stadium outside Al Khor, enabling safe riding round the clock. It features 29 tunnels and five bridges, as well as parking areas, and was designed to host international sports competitions.
Other cycling paths in the country include Losail International Circuit, Al Shahaniya to Al Jamailiyah cycle path, Ceremonial Road, and C Ring to Airport cycle path, among others. (Source: QCR website).