A cycling event will bring together business leaders, professionals, paralympians and changemakers in the UAE, who will hit the road for seven days, travelling across all seven emirates.
The Ride for Unity's inaugural “7 days 7 Emirates” cycling challenge will be held from January 6 to 12, with the aim of promoting unity, tolerance, diversity and sustainability.
The seven-day event will kick off in Dubai on Saturday, followed by Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Stops along the way include a business forum, cultural visits, and interactions with educational institutions and charitable organisations.
Sareh Ameri, managing director of Ride for Unity, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting unity and tolerance through sports, said the event aims to highlight the uniqueness of each emirate.
“The UAE is a living, breathing role model of our values of unity, diversity, tolerance and sustainability,” she said.
“With over 200 nationalities harmoniously living and working together, it was critical for us to engage in every emirate, highlighting not only the uniqueness of each community but to leave a lasting impact, demonstrating how to genuinely implement these values, and legitimately incorporate diversity in business, education and entrepreneurship.”
Justin Levene, 35, from the UK cycles in a hand bike. He said the ride represents the power of sport and how these values can be used across all aspects of life.
“We have an incredibly diverse team that has been brought together for this event, and though our lives may be different, we are all unified through sport and the immense positive impact that is has had on our lives,” Levene said.
“With spinal injuries, one of the challenges I will find hardest is dealing with the climate.
"Without having proper temperature regulation, the heat plays a real part of the challenge and is an aspect I have to be acutely aware of during the ride.”
Another cyclist taking part in the event said the event was a chance to bring people together.
"Sport is always been the greatest unifier to bring people of different parts of the world and backgrounds to fulfil a much bigger mission,” said Daniel Bernard, 48, from the UK.
“It is so critical especially in today's troubled world that we teach the values of diversity and tolerance and we learn about sustainability for a better future.
"The UAE is perfect place for ride for unity.”
The challenge will have riders pedal from Fujairah to the Dibba Coral Life Conservation Site, continuing on to Ras Al Khaimah for a business forum with the RAK Department of Development and American University RAK, followed by an interactive morning at The WellSpring Private School.
The tour will then stop at the Mangrove Plantations in Umm Al Quwain, Ajman National Charity School, House of Wisdom, Sharjah and Dubai, with a visit to Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs as well as a seminar at American University Dubai.
The riders will also cycle with children with special needs along Kite Beach and ride into the night through Al Qudra.
The challenge will finish in Abu Dhabi with a grand finale gala dinner at Wolfi's on Hudayriat Island.
Ms Ameri said the challenge will be an annual event in the UAE's sporting calendar, with plans to expand it globally.
“It's about making a difference today for tomorrow,” she said.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
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Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
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Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Race%20card
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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