NOT a triathlon camp.
This was most definitely NOT a Triathlon camp. However, we did take our swim bike and run kit with us! The ride from the UAE border crossing to Musandam all the way to the town of Khasab had been on my bucket list of things to do for sometime. So last weekend the Sported coaching team and friends from Mad4Tri and Coach Mike decided to cross the border and cycle all the way along to coast to Khasab.
Having ridden the bikes through the border crossing, it is a spectacular ride with the blue waters of the gulf on one-side and towering rugged mountains on the other. Overnight hotel bags were put in the back of the support car.
Mostly flat for the first 25km, passing through small coastal towns nesting between the wadis, it is a most enjoyable ride with a gentle breeze coming off the sea.
There is just one tough climb to negotiate.
After 25km the coastal road winds up for 2km with gradients up to 15% in places. The views from the top are breathtaking… if you have any breath left after the climb.
There is a steep drop on the other side but this is followed by a picturesque meandering route along the fjord to the Atana Hotel for a total ride of around 40km with 398m of climbing, in approx. 1 hour 40 mins taking it very easy.
Comfortable hotel with access to the crystal clear waters from the rocks at the rear. Being Ramadan most of the restaurants were closed at the time we wanted to eat but Khasab normally offers plenty of local dining experiences.
Sunday morning TriDubai swim moved to one of the beaches on the coastal ride but we were a little unlucky to run into a cloud of Algae. There are plenty of amazing places to swim with lots of colourful coral. Returning to the hotel athletes were kicked out of the car with different distances to run back. The fastest athletes were pushed out first to chase down the rabbits with everybody enjoying a stunning run route back to the hotel.
Following a hearty breakfast we started the return to the UAE, all of us dreading the long steep climb on the way back. Thankfully if you have imagined it to be so bad the reality is never quite so tough and so it proved. Although I think we were all praying for the road to flatten out at the top. Thereafter followed a glorious return ride to the UAE, except I encountered a serious speed wobble on the descent which caused some serious heart palpitations.
A most enjoyable weekend to be repeated another time soon.
By David Hunt
Photo credit to Mike Bermingham and David Hunt
