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Enduro riding in the desert
Enduro Dubaiwith theMX-Academy
Enduro Dubai means sand, dune ridges and rocky plains on the edge of a big city. With the MX-Academy Dubai you prepare on the track at Jebel Ali, then head into the desert with guides who ride it all season long.
Planning your trip from abroad? Enduro Dubai on mx-academy.com
Enduro Dubai: desert riding on the edge of the city
Enduro riding in Dubai happens in a landscape of soft sand, dune ridges, stony plains and rocky hills, all within reach of a modern city. In the season you will find the MX-Academy Dubai riding almost daily, at the training track as well as out in the open desert. Enduro here means leaving the prepared track, finding your own way through changing ground and keeping the bike moving when the surface gives way beneath you.
Because the city and the desert lie so close together, you decide how intense your days are. A morning in the sand followed by an afternoon at the beach or in a mall is a realistic plan, which also suits partners and friends who do not ride. For more adventure, overnight tours in the desert can be arranged, with a night under a clear, starry sky.
Sand technique first, dunes second
Everything you know from hard ground feels different in sand. Speed, body position and a steady throttle decide whether the bike floats or digs in. That is why enduro riders begin at the Jebel Ali training track, where beginners have a track of their own, before moving to a practice zone with shallower sand and, after that, to real dunes.
How long the preparation takes depends on you. If you have never ridden, expect around three days of training; if you already have riding experience, you still need a minimum of one sand day. Your guide decides when you are ready, and only then does the desert ride begin. Nobody is taken into the desert without preparation.
- Standing and sitting in the right position
- Braking and accelerating on loose ground
- Foot position and weight on the footpegs
- Throttle control and where you look
- Jumping technique once the basics sit
Enduro or motocross bike: which suits the sand better
Many riders assume the desert calls for a big enduro. In soft sand it tends to be the other way round: a light competition bike like the Honda CRF250, at around 110 kg, is easier to steer, easier to keep on top of the sand and easier to pick up after a fall than a heavy travel enduro. For that reason the school's rental bikes for the desert are competition models, and modern protective gear is available in every size.
Own an enduro? You are welcome to ride it. A sensible route is to learn the sand technique on a light bike first and then transfer it to your own, heavier one. Hiring a bike without a coach is only for intermediate riders or those riding under supervision, so newcomers have coaching from the start. A full set of protective gear costs AED 200 to rent, a single item or pair AED 49.
Enduro desert tour Dubai with experienced rally riders
Out in the desert you ride in a group matched to skill and fitness. Leading it are riders who know the sand well, for example Mohammed Jaffar or Mohammed Al Balooshi, who in 2012 became the first Emirati to ride the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally. They teach you to spot the shape of the terrain, work out a route, ride dune slopes and jump where the ground allows.
Depending on the group, a tour takes anything from a few hours to most of a day, and overnight trips are possible. Bike and protective gear can be rented for the tour, and desert riders pay a convenience fee of AED 50 per day. The guides watch what each rider can do, encourage you to improve and keep you away from risks that are easy to underestimate in the desert.
The racing week: several days of enduro riding in Dubai
Want more than a single day? The racing week spreads your riding over several days: three lessons on the track come first, and a desert ride follows once your sand skills are in place. It suits riders who live in the Emirates and want to make real progress during a week off, and guests who are staying in Dubai for a while and want riding to be the centre of their stay.
Between riding days there is time to recover at the beach, in the old quarters or in the city's malls. If you are planning an enduro holiday from abroad, keep in mind that flying in from Switzerland takes around six hours and that Dubai's clocks are two hours ahead of Swiss summer time, three in winter.
How to book enduro in Dubai
Tell the team about your experience, how many riders are coming and which dates you have in mind. Since the team teaches seven days a week in the season, usually with two or three courses a day, there is a good chance of a suitable slot, and if your date does not work, you are offered an alternative. Questions are answered in English or Arabic: write to info@mx-academy.ch, phone or use WhatsApp (details in the contact box), or go straight to the booking page.
Prices are per rider and in AED. A group introduction course of 30 minutes starts at AED 500 for adults, a private hour costs AED 1,100, and riders with their own bike and gear can book coaching on its own from AED 600 per hour, with the track fee paid separately.
FAQ: Enduro Dubai
Can I ride enduro in Dubai without desert experience?
Yes, but not straight into the dunes. Training on the track at Jebel Ali comes first: around three days for newcomers and at least one sand day for riders with experience.
Is a light bike or a big enduro better for the desert?
For most riders a light competition bike works best in soft sand. The MX-Academy Dubai rents bikes such as the Honda CRF250, which weighs around 110 kg.
How long does an enduro desert tour in Dubai last?
Anything from a few hours to most of a day, depending on the skill and fitness of the group. Overnight tours can also be arranged.
What is included in the racing week?
Three lessons on the track spread over several days, followed by a desert ride when your sand skills are ready.
Can I ride my own enduro bike?
Yes. Your own bike and gear are welcome; otherwise you can rent a competition bike and protective gear in every size.
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