Abu Dhabi's adventure playground Hudayriyat Island got an additional boost with the inauguration of Trail X, a 15km mountain bike trail. The Island, connected to a suspension bridge known among residents as the "bridge to nowhere", is already a hub for a number of leisure activities for children and adults as well as adventurers.
Last year, Abu Dhabi Sports Council hosted the first Hudayriyat Cycling Challenge, featuring two races, a shorter one at 30km and a longer 100km route for advanced riders.
Developer Modon Properties said Trail X "will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading cycling hub."
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, inaugurated the trail on Wednesday and also visited additional cycling infrastructure projects on Hudayriyat Island that have been developed under the Bike Abu Dhabi platform.
Projects confirmed so far include a 109km cycling track called the Abu Dhabi Loop and a 3,500-seat velodrome, to be built on Hudayriyat Island.
Abu Dhabi was also awarded the status of Bike City by the Union Cycliste Internationale last year, the first location in the Middle East or Asia to receive the accolade.
What is Hudayriyat Island?
Plans to develop Hudayrityat Island were first announced in 2009, but did not initially progress beyond the construction of the bridge.
The project was revived in 2017, with plans to turn the 3,000-hectare island into a mixed-use community with an emphasis on fitness and nature.
In May 2018, the public was able to cross the bridge for the first time to access an undisturbed 600-metre beach with running and cycling tracks, water sports, a bouncy castle and a children's playground.
Since then, the island has been popular among cyclists and runners and has been chosen as the venue for triathlons and obstacle courses.
Scroll through our gallery below to see more photos from Hudayriyat Island
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Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua
Based: Dubai, UAE
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Sector: Financial services
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- Option 2: 50% across three years
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
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Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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