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IBS is delighted to announce an exciting new challenge in collaboration with NCBI, working for people with sight loss

Spring 2009

Challenge Overview

The Desert Classic Cycle will suit cyclists of all abilities ranging from the beginner to the advanced competitor and will provide a great opportunity to see a stunning part of the world and to make some great friends, while raising much needed funds for Irish Blind Sports to continue to enable blind and visually impaired people to participate in sports and leisure activities of their choice.

NCBI's Desert Classic Cycle will go right to the heart of the spectacular United Arab Emirates in 2009, taking in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah three of the seven states, and finishing in the sultanate of Oman.

Discover Dubai

Known as the pearl of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is a place that combines the timeless tranquillity of the desert, the bustle of the souk, the history of times gone by and the buzz of the here and now. It offers a real cocktail of varied routes for cycling.

Our cyclists will experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with wind-towers to ultra-modern shopping malls and a thriving commercial sector. Managing to harmonise the contrasts of a laid-back tourist escape and the pace of the 21st century, Dubai has a unique feel, a cosmopolitan buzz and a deep cultural presence.

Enjoy Fujairah

Fujairah is a coastal Emirate with a breathtaking mountain backdrop. It is an East Coast Emirate and provides a voyage for our cyclists, which includes beautiful beaches, ancient forts, hot-water springs and a sea teeming with life.

Explore Abu Dhabi

With year-round sunshine, superb beaches, renowned sand dunes and a cosmopolitan lifestyle, our cyclists can enjoy getting to know one of the jewels in the Arabian Crown. Culture combined with hospitality makes Abu Dhabi an excellent destination for cyclists with an interest in seeing a different side of life.

Experience Oman's Rich and Diverse Wildlife

At the end of our tour, Oman will provide us with a gripping sensation of adventure, exploration and discovery. Those curious in the natural environment, and those with a keen interest in eco-adventures are amazed and enchanted by its charms. Conservation is happily married with activity and participants on our Desert Classic will get an insight into Oman and its capital, Muscat. Oman is a real gem.

Sounds Good?

So why not join NCBI on its Desert Classic Cycle next spring and see it for yourself!

Preliminary Itinerary

27th March 2009:
Depart Dublin and Arrive Abu Dhabi and transfer to Jebel Ali Resort.
This will be the base for three Loop cycles which will take in the spectacular coast line and desert landscapes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

31st March 2009:
Today we will leave on our trusty bikes from Jebel Ali Resort to Fujairah and for our next base at Hatta Fort Hotel. The terrain here offers some Hilly options over the next three days as we cycle another three loop cycles out of Hatta Fort.
Our routes will strive for a minimum cycle distance of 80km and a maximum distance not exceeding 100Km.

4th April 2009:
Muscat will provide our cycle party with some welcome rest after the heat and rigors of desert and hilly cycles. It will also offer an opportunity to see some of the eco prizes which makes Muscat a Jewel in the desert crown.

7th April 2009:
Depart Muscat for our flight back to Dublin.

The foregoing is a preliminary itinerary. The number of cycle days will not be less than 7 and the routes are fixed and subject to change by the Road Traffic Authorities in the U

Register your Interest?

To register your interest for the 2009 Desert Classic Cycle please click neil@ibsports.ie or simply phone Neil O'Donovan on: 01-2020118 for details. To secure your place for the event, all we need is a non-refundable deposit of €500 and a commitment from you to raise a total of at least €4,800. The more you raise, the more will be invested in blind sports in Ireland.