Eyes on Early Years Volume 12 | Page 19

Get on your Bike By: Ailsa Gordon Now the weather has cooled down why not utilise this time of year to exercise outdoors. Working in a nursery and school is always very busy and can, at times, be stressful. To get the right balance between work and rest it is important to try and do some exercise to keep yourself healthy. I love to take my bike to the cycle track at Al Qudra or Nad Al Sheba, both of these locations are free to use, safe, car free, open 24 hours a day and cyclists of all abilities are welcome. For me it is a time to clear my head, reflect on the day or week and plan for the future, as well as burning some calories! The Al Qudra track is located where Al Qudra Road and Bab Al Shams meet, with the cycle course stretching into the desert where riders can access a 85km loop, with a choice of different routes and distances along the way. If you don’t have your own bike, bikes and equipment can be rented from the Trek Bicycle store at the Al Qudra track. I often enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the desert and see various wildlife such as oryx, foxes, deer and camels who often roam along the cycle path. The Nad Al Sheba Cycle track was once a camel racing track, but is now a family-friendly cycle park located beside the Meydan hotel. There is an 8.4km cycle track for both cycling and running. Nad Al Sheba is a great place to bike with a breathtaking view of the skyline of Downtown Dubai.