Heat Shock: A Look Back At The 2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
- By Aaron Hersh
- Published Aug 25, 2011
If You Go
Abu Dhabi is known as an oasis in the middle of a desert, but the landscape outside the city limits bares no resemblance to the saguaro-spotted parks of the American Southwest. Endless sand dunes surround the city. Small rectangular buildings sprout from the unforgiving terrain. Construction insulates Abu Dhabi from the sand and wind, but fine, barely perceptible dust floats through the city and creates a strangely beautiful haze, especially at night. LED street lights that line the immaculate roads have a glowing halo.
In stark contrast to the Arabian Desert, the grandeur of attractions such as the Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace and Ferrari World live up to Abu Dhabi’s lofty reputation for lavishness. Imagine the ornate décor of a Las Vegas hotel, except the attractions in Abu Dhabi don’t feel like they are a façade. The opulence is real and the buildings are palatial. Those sights are breathtaking, but many of the pros that toured the city after the race were most interested in the smaller-scale local cultural attractions. Bryan Rhodes was most affected by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Dirk Bockel stayed an entire week to “enjoy the scenery” after the race. He went to the desert and rode a camel, and refilled his tank with elaborate brunches.
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Aaron Hersh
Aaron Hersh is the Senior Tech Editor of Triathlete magazine. Aaron writes a column every Thursday for Triathlete.com called "Ask Aaron". To submit a question, write Aaron at Askaaron@competitorgroup.com.