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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Looks like tons of fun!!
Thanks for the tip – will be in Dubai next week and will try to go.
Sounds lots of fun and a good change from Longchamp :)
There is a similar track night held every Tuesday (Open to all) and Wednesday (Women only) at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Much the same as the one in Dubai but the full circuit (5.5 KM) is normally open and if you want to get out for a run/cycle on an actual F1 circuit it is definitely worth a visit. It is about a 1 hour drive from Dubai.
The montreal f1 track is open as well on week-end to cyclist/runners.
Actually in Montreal, the F1 track is open everyday (at least in Summer when I was there) as long as it’s not F1 week.
Less sexy, but in the same category: the ex-F1 track in Zolder, Belgium is open every tuesday, wednesday and thursday night for cycling. Cost: €3.
Glad you enjoyed it Ray!
I was there earlier in the evening for a quick w/o, didn’t spot you and wondered if you would make it. Looks like you did. Join us for one of the desert rides next time you’re in town.
For the cadence pod, have you looked into removeable zip ties? There is a type that has a little tab connected to the locking tooth, so when you press the tab, it lifts the tooth and allows you to remove and reuse the entire ziptie.
I use these on my hybrid for keeping my bike lock securely attached to the back rack. You just cut the extra length to the size you need and go. I probably replace them every six months when they finally snap (cold weather makes them snap faster ’cause plastic, obvs) but I’m using them every day.
The Nürburgring incl. the even more famous Nordschleife opens on 4 dates from 19:30-21:30 just for cyclists and runners (besides the great 24h race “Rad am Ring“, which I only recommend).
See more infos here (unfortunately available only in German)
If you’re preregistered online (so you loose no time at registration) you can do 3 full loops, since the cracks fly the track in sub-1-hr and the last entrance is allowed at 20:45, most riders (like me) need about 1 hr+ and can go two rounds.
That looks amazing! Here in Philly it’s hard enough to find a running track that’s open to the public! Great pictures too!
Wow, I am heading to Dubai next week,, tis will be my goto for bike training. Great report!
Perfect place for a hard workout. The time-lapse vid. Is cool and first shot of Dubai’s skyline is beautiful.
In Italy starting from april to jul, mon-fri 18:30-20:00 you can cycling around the Monza circuit free of charge.
Ciao
Alberto
You should buy a pack of releasable zip ties at the hardware store. Saves having to cut anything off.
So glad you covered this. I was in Dubai in Feb and just missed being able to do this (got in late Wed night :( ). I will make a point of checking it out next time. I did get to do the Hatta ride with the roadster group while I was there and that was amazing!
Next time you’re in Austin, TX (because I’m sure you’re there so often) you should check out the best F1-track racing on the planet
link to drivewayseries.com
Beats most weekend crit races. The same race promoter also does a once a year race at the main F1 facility
link to tourdeaustin.com
Very cool- we have a Time Trial series here in Charlotte at the Charlotte Motor Speedway (yep NASCAR track) – I think its a great use of the facility
That is awesome indeed, thanks for sharing it. Not that I have an opportunity to be in Dubai…
The “minibar tool” is called a sommelier knife or waiters friend. I usually read your site and think I don’t exercise enough, but this time I thought “Ray doesn’t drink enough” :)
Tis true…
Looks like a great time, thanks for another great write-up.
Do you have an ETA on the “Spring 2014 Action Cam Recommendations”? With recent price drop I’m debating virb or waiting for new model to be released.
I think sometime the week of the 19th of May.
Perfect thanks!
Looks like a really great place for a change of pace!
Just as a note, you have a typo in the line that says “I saw everyone from roller bladders to roadies and triathletes out there”. Damn those Roller Bladders as they always stop to go to the bathroom! I like Roller Bladers better!
Sorry, couldn’t resist as it added some humor to my day!
Actually, one of the roller bladers (;)) looked rather nervous going down hills – like a giant flying wedge on skies. He might have emptied his bladder going down it once or twice trying to figure out how to stop.
Awesome line! Made my day with that one!
Which gear did you use to mount the Sony action cam at the handle bar which is seen on the 7th foto?
Thanks, also for your greate page!
K-Edge outfront mount. It’s universal, so it works with basically every action cam out there that has a tripod hole (or, a tripod adapter).
Oddly however (adjacent note), the ION action cams tripod adapter is all wonky and a hair bit larger than any other tripod adapter I have (and I have a crapton of tripods).
Ray,
Please advise what mount are you using for Sony Action cam?
Thx.
K-Edge outfront mount. It’s universal, so it works with basically every action cam out there that has a tripod hole (or, a tripod adapter).
Nice music choice for the time lapse. It seems made for it. I only wish I could travel to some of these cool places you frequent so I could see them first hand.
I have my Wahoo RPM attached to my crank with a rubber band. Works great! Of course my bike is always hooked up to the trainer, but still, the RPM has stayed attached after dozens of hours of cycling.
Good to know!
Ironically enough, today the new Garmin cadence sensor came in, kinda like the Wahoo not requiring any magnets. It uses a nifty rubber band setup. Though, really wish it was dual ANT+/BLE.
I remember a post by you some months back that you put the wahoo cadence sensor in your shoe vertically and it works just fine. You don’t seem to be doing that anymore. What happened to that idea?
Completely had brain-farted and forgot about doing it that way…
Thanks for the great review, was fantastic to have you visit Revolution Night at the Dubai Autodrome.
For anyone that is planning a visit to Dubai and would like to Cycle / Run / Jog or walk at one of our Wednesday Revolution nights, best check out our Facebook page just to make certain there has not been a postponement or a time change from the regular 6pm – 9pm.
link to facebook.com
We love Cycling
Revolution Cycles Dubai
Hi Ray,
I wish I had known you were coming. I live in Dubai and am a keen cyclist and budding Triathlete and couldve met up!! The autodrome is a good facility and cycling is really taking off here. Not far from there is the Dubai cycling Course which consist of a 18km stick joining up to a 49km loop. Its a dedicated cycling track that is by the side of a road for some part and then into the desert from the remainder. Great facilities being built here.
Were you also told about the Nadd al Sheba track? Concentric 8km/6km/4km loops of cycling track near enough in the city. Also floodlit at night which provides good training out of the summer heat.
Glad you enjoyed it!
40k Time Trial today. Target was to beat last years time of 1:02:24 – ended up at 1:02:26 but much worse conditions than last year.
Riding laps of any race circuit is always a treat when compared to open roads.
I’m a mechanic for a race team over in the UK so spend many a weekend at various tracks round the country. They make for interesting training depending on where you are. Silverstone is awesome for time trails as it is nice and flat but Brands hatch is brutal hilly so good for hill repeats.
I’m slowly working my way round most of the circuits in the UK.
Glad you enjoyed the experience. It’s a great facility. Not sure if it has been mentioned previously but the local timing company Premier Timings now offer the ability to time your laps there. They time many event in and around the region and if you own one of their timing chips, (able to be used at all their events and offer added time info like transition splits and lap splits) they will publish your times in real time absolutely free. Not bad for a free venue with free timing facilities. We are headed down their tonight! As for leaving your camera, Dubai is one of the safest place in the world. You could have left the keys to your white Lambo, your wallet and your passport on the same wall and it would all be there when you got back. 10,000 pound bikes sit car mounts in car parks all over town with little fear of them going missing. Despite the severe heat in Summer, I do enjoy living here. Thanks for the constant stream of info. Keep it coming!
Thanks for the idea. I travel frequently with my work and my next trip is to Abu Dhabi. So guess what I did? Yes I checked out the F1 race circuit there and YES they do the same thing !
Fantastic. Every Tuesday evening. So I’m registered and planning to hire a bike. Looking forward to it !
Lets see what STRAVA can make of these circuits ! Thanks again
I’m heading there soon, so one question — water? Are there ample places to get a drink, or do they rent water bottles?
There is a small stand there that sells water in a regular PET plastic bottle (not a sports bottle). I think they also sell a small selection of sports bottles. Best bet is to grab a couple from a sports store or bike shop before hand and bring them with you full of water or sports drink. You can leave drink bottles, sports bags and running shoes out next to the garage doors along the pit area. Everything is very safe.
Would the bike shop also supply SPD pedals for rent? I can bring shoes, but would like to avoid pedals.
I’m not sure, though they seemed pretty flexible and easy to chat with – so I’d just reach out to them and ask.
Hello ,
As the organisers of the Wednesday nights at the Dubai Autodrome, we can assist with pleasure.
We have loads of Look pedals we can assist with, Shimano we have a few.
Always best to give the guys a call on +971 4 369 7441 or mail info@rcdxb.com and they will assist you.
Hi,
I took the safe route and picked the pedals off of one of my bikes. Looking forward to a good session on Wednesday!