NEXT RIDE

WEDNESDAY - 23rd July - Special Local Twilight Ride

Ra'anana Local Twilight Ride
Meet at 7.30pm at the Municipal parking area opposite Yad Lebanim, Ra'anana.
Route: We'll be led by Martin and our route will include the newly opened sections of the Herzliya Park
Please make sure that your bike is fitted with a back and a front light!!!!
And don't forget to bring enough water, it's still hot so lets stay hydrated!

SATURDAY - 26th July - Local Ride 6:30am Start!

Local Ride in the Sharon area:

We will meet at 6:30 am at the Municipal parking area opposite Yad Lebanim, Ra'anana.
IMPORTANT: With summer upon us it's vital that you bring plenty of water for these rides.
Please note new start time of 6:30AM for Local Rides!!

Check back here regularly in case there are changes or other details.

HELMETS COMPULSORY by Law
Always ensure that you have sufficient water and a spare tube.

For more details:

054-4741424 (David)
054-7926330 (Martin)
050-9422788 (John)

*NOTE: April 2008 reports have been moved to the archives, which you can find at the bottom of the right hand menu.

*This Cyclenix Calendar is a test only, please forward any comments to cyclenix@gmail.com

Special Events:

Sea (Haifa) to Sea (Kinneret)

Aug. 21, 2008
Cyclenix is trying to arrange a full moon, night ride starting from Sea (Haifa) at 24:00 on the 21st, to Sea (Kinneret) arriving at 9:00am on the 22nd (approx. accounting for stops). We will need at least 15 riders and the cost will be about 150 shekels per rider. This will include the bus to bring us back to the parking area. Those who wish to join the ride….please get in contact with Max – 0505 209586 as soon as possible. The ride is about 68 Kms and will be 90% OFF road and is NOT suitable for beginners.
More details will follow when they are available!

Ride Report - 19th July 2008 - Nahal Kaneh, Yarkon, Shvil Yisrael etc... - By Max

2008_07_19 - Nachshonim Forest

What a turnout. Its great to see so many happy bikers out there and so many of the female type!!.

Our ride today took us along what is turning into a second "Home" patch area, at least for some of us. We rode along the Kaneh (empty ??) then the Yarkon in all its glory, through the myriad passages of "Suf" which have been cut down in most places to enable us to get through and on to the source of the Yarkon.

By the way did you see the new Stumpy ?? It just rides by itself. Its soooo cooool, and the rider on it... well it just all fits. Mazal Tov Dina... Enjoy.

Many thanks to Mekorot for building our own swimming pool. Fresh clean refreshing water for those who opted to go get their feet (and other extremities) wet. I took my hat off to Barbara who kept hers on !!!! while we dipped our hot bodies in the water. Then having quickly dried off we carried on past Park Afek and South down to Yaar Nachshonim. This was a new route for most of us and took us up a nice climb over a rocky path and then down a smooth freewheeling slope to the Quarries. From then on it was plain sailing ?? down to Einat and a welcome break.

It was great to see Tzilla back in the saddle riding so well and we look forward to seeing her back !! many more times. To all the newcomers, welcome, get fit and join us for more Summer rides.

The fact that some got lost, that some did extra km's etc only added to the morning out. Next time we will try better not to loose anyone. Anyway 45 km's later we all managed to get back, mechanically sound and ready to start the new week.

Ride Report - 5th July 2008 - Local Ride - By

2008. 07.12

Ride Report - 5th July 2008 - Har Horshan - By Abraham

2008_07_05 - Har Horshan

Today I am not writing a report.
I am rather going to tell our friend, Hilton, (for those who didn't travel in a convoy, Hilton had a bad flat tire on his car a few kilometers north of Raanana and had to quit the ride before it began) why he didn't miss too much.

The most exciting thing of our ride today was the sweet, cool, juicy water melon, provided by Max and Nurit at the end of the hot, tiring and full-of-steep-climbs ride.
You can easily get such a water melon at any supermarket.

Max, the leader, and Nurit, his advisor, navigator and lecturer, took us thru the beautiful, green forests of the southern Carmel, with nice cool breezes from the sea and with picturesque landscapes to view from the 186 meters high Tatzpit. You can easily experience the same feeling of joy and excitement, by joining Ariel on his next trip to Slovakia. He and his other two companions didn’t stop telling us about it.

We were a crowd of 16 riders, including a nice new couple, Dov and Diti (or DiTi, or perhaps D.T.). You can easily mix into such a crowd in Tel Aviv or Raanana. And as for Dov and Diti, you will meet them at one of our future rides (so they promissed).

We rode along an old Roman road along the Dalia river valley, unmaintained for many hundreds of years. You can easily do that on the Via Appia in Rome, on your next trip there.

Don't worry about the singles planned, we didn't do them. So you still have the chance to ride them, provided your car is fixed by then.

Summing up, we covered about 26-28 kilometers, starting with a nice glide down along the Dalia River, climbing the Tazpit hill and the Horshan mountain. That was the cool part, ambivalently. From then on was the boiling-hot part with the sun pouring down from above, where even the slightest slope seemed impassable (I exaggerate a bit). So the leader cut a few kilometers, put us on the paved road and we joined our cars in no time. All in all, a nice ride, nothing we can not repeat for you, Hilton.

And thanks to Nurit and Max.

Ride Report - 5th July 2008 - Local Ride - By John

2008.07.05 - HOME PATCH RIDE

Another sunny, hot humid day, even at 7am when eight of us met at our usual spot for our weekly pilgrimage to the cycling paths crisscrossing the Sharon area. One of the eight was Shane (whom we haven't seen for some time), sporting his new MARIN mountain bike. Welcome back. Hope to see you and your bike more often in the future. By the way the smaller that usual number of riders does not reflect a decline in our numbers. There was also an Away Ride today and I am certain that the write up and photos of this ride will be on our website for you all to enjoy.

We went North again through the industrial area of Raanana and then through Bazra towards Bnei Tzion. Before we hit the lengthy climb to the swimming pool at Bne Tzion we made a right turn at the beginning of the climb making our way to the small airfield that caters for those brave people who take to the air in their ultra light flying machines. On we went towards Yakum, but making our way to the Kibbutz via Udim. This time we tried a new route through the Moshav. It was really a nice change... it's always nice to see new places. We crossed the bridge that traverses the Coastal Road and then made our way back South to Wingate where we again crossed over the Coastal Road (using the bridge at Wingate), rode through the nature reserve and even found an new (for us anyway) short length of downhill, rocky single track! We made our way to Cafe Buono, and guess what?... We crossed the Coastal road for the third time. I think this is a record! From then on it was "Gofferman's here we come". That's where we stopped for our morning "breakfast". The food and the service was, as usual, good. Their prices have risen a little (but where haven't prices risen!) All of us a a very pleasant and refreshing stop before hitting the home trial... another 31+ kilometres of good riding and great company was behind us and we're looking forward to repeating the experience in a week's time.

Ride Report - 28th June 2008 - Local Ride - By

28.06.08 - Home Patch Ride

Ride Report - 21st June 2008 - Ben Shemen - By David

Ben Shemen with Herzl

A year and a week after our last visit we were again back in Ben Shemen, again under the leadership of Herzl Ushah, again "brokered" by Craig (who unfortunately wasn't able to join us this year) and again (as Craig so aptly put it in last year's ride report) "a tremendously enjoyable and educational experience" for all 20 participants. I would be surprised if anyone knows the labyrinth of pathways that criss-cross Ben Shemen better than Herzl - proof of which being that except for a pilgrimage up to Tal Hadid (which is a must on any Ben Shemen ride) our route this year did not retrace anything we did last year. However there was one significantly familiar element - the delicious and refreshing water melon which Herzl again so generously produced for general consumption!!!

For the last several away rides over the past months (starting with our Burma Road ride) Dennis' expertise and GPS technology have combined to provide an accurate plotting of our route, which makes it superfluous to repeat in this report. Instead a colour printout marking the route with red dots (the closer together the slower we rode, the further apart the faster....) is included among the pictures of the ride. Thanks Dennis for this great facility.

However what our venture into hi-tech does not record, but which we must shamefacedly admit to, were no less than 5 "thorn induced" punctures en route. While sealants have greatly reduced the incidence of punctures we should not overlook the need for regular topping up, especially in the hot dry season when every dried up form of spiky vegetation is out there waiting in ambush for our poor defenceless tyres.

And on the subject of "hot" and "dry", despite riding in middle 30s temperatures and some "less than easy" climbing, none of us seemed to be any the worse for wear, attributable in part to the overall state of fitness of the group, but I believe, in great measure to Herzl's "ride management". We made a number of stops (to catch our breath, to soak up the beauty of our surroundings and to benefit from Herzl's extensive knowledge - and not forgetting the "puncture stops"!!), and we moved at a "sensible" pace, all of which adding up to a great ride in a great area, without human or mechanical breakdown (apart from aforementioned unmentionables!!) and a loud 20 strong chorus "Thank You Herzl".

Ride Report - 21st June 2008 - Local Ride - By John

2008_06_21-Local

Ten of us met at our usual place and hit the road shortly after 7am. Our route took us to the industrial area of Ra'anana, through Batzra and then on to Bnei Tzion. However, for a change, instead of riding up the long climb to the swimming pool in Bnei Tzion We skirted The Moshav on the Southern side ad then rode to the lookout point at one of the entrances to the Bnei Tzion Nature reserve.

From there we mde our way North, crossed the Tel Aviv - Haifa railway line making our way to Yaqum. On the track approaching Yaqum from the East we encountered an unexpected "hurdle"! Mud, yes mud!!!!! Mud in the middle of Summer.....not a common happening in Israel! Black, thick gluey horrible mud!!!And it wasn't long before most of our bikes "went on strike" and refused to budge. Fortunately the stretch of mud was not too long.......maybe 200 metres but getting through those 200 metres was really hard work. The wheels would jam because of the mud that had collected between the frame and the tyres; we'd remove the mud and progress another few metres and the repeat the process of clearing the mud; some carried their bike for a short while; others just continues to clean and push, clean and push, and also complain! Eventually after what seemed an eternity we made it through the mud patch and, hooray, we found a hose the gave forth a strong jet of water, and were able to clean our bikes well enough to enable us to ride on.

We crossed the bridge at Cafe Buono and continued on to and along the track skirting the Northern side of the Gaash Golf course, on to and through the Kibbutz itself and then East to the Northern Entrance on the Hof Hasharon Nature Reserve. (Where was David to help us get our bikes through the fence? He was in the Ben Shemen area fixing punctures!!!) Now the weather was heating up and we needed that morning refreshment stop at Arsuf! We travelled through Kibbutz Shefayim in order to miss the sandy stretch parallel to the sea and headed for one of our favourite "watering holes", Arsuf. Alas! it's closed down.........boo hoo! So, on to Gofferman's to save the day and then home! Thirty kilometres of pleasant riding (except for the mud patch) and pleasant company.

Ride Report - 14th June 2008 -By Daniel

2008_06_14

Having not ridden regularly for the last couple of months the 6.25am ring of the alarm clock was accompanied by a minute of indecision - to ride or not to ride ?

Fortunately good sense prevailed and at 7.00am I reported for cycling duty together with the rest of the group – regulars and 2 or 3 new faces .Again good reason prevailed and we headed out west hoping that closer to the coast it would be cooler . Only later during the ride I realized the main reason for heading west – we all remember the live show during last summer at the Park Hasharon look out overlooking the beach down below- well you should have seen the look of disappointment on the faces of all the dirty old men and some women when there was nothing else but the amazing expanse of clear blue sea below the high cliffs. Any way boys better luck next time.

Back to more routine – we rode past the airport to Rishpon , over the bridge towards Park Hasharon , through the Gaash shopping complex to the bridge at Yakum. On the way Tzvika felt unwell and we managed to convince him to head back home accompanied by another rider – I hope he is well. We turned south at Yakum heading straight to one of our regular watering holes at Goffermans.

The ride was marked by the constant giggling of Ingrid at John’s chili joke – for those who missed it ask Ingrid to repeat it next week – she loves repeating it.

But most important again - the ride and the company all make it worth while waking up at 6.25 am and I heard that from July we will be starting at 6.30am meaning a 5.55am wake up .

See you all this Saurday again.

Ride Report - 7th June. 2008 -By שאול

2008_06_07

לאחר הפסקת רכיבה אופניים של מספר שבועות ,שמחתי להתיצב מחדש במגרש הקבוע.. הופיוע מעל עשרים רוכבים, ועל אף העדרות של מספר ותיקים מספר הרוכבים המשתתפים עולה. Cyclenix הולכת ומקבלת תנופה!

המסלול שנבחר עבר דרך בצרה, בני ציון דרך פרדסים. עברנו שדות ללא תקלות.

בהגיענו לפולוג, גרמתי לפילוג כי הבעתי את רצוני להפסיק בנקודה זו ולחזור הביתה. לשמחתי הצתרפו אלי טד דיאנה ,דניאל, זאב.עשינו הפסקת קפה ב'bueno וחזרנו בדרך מקבילה לכביש החוף. רכבנו כ30 קמ דבר שלא עשיתי זמן רב

ברצוני להודות לכל החברים הדואגים לשלומי ,ומעודדים אותי וגורמים לי שמחה בלב

אין כמוכם.

Ride Report - 31st May. 2008 -Wheels of Hope RideBy Ted

Wheels of Hope Ride - May, 2008

Etgarim rides are a tradition for Cyclenix by now. It's a worthy cause and we all return with a feeling of having accomplished something other then a simple bit of regular riding. How else can one feel when humbled by the courage and tenacity of the Etgarim handicapped and their gallant volunteer army of assistants who ride alongside or in tandem or is it on tandem, with their brave wards. Simply magical stuff! It was all there, the colors, the varied bikes and the numbers bigger then ever..Over 9000 reported by Guy Solomon of Etgarim who puts this show together. We left, some 18 Cyclenix in our new outfits (I was asked who we were on two occasions) without the usual fanfare at the start and earlier then published. I guess that the heat prompted the organizers to get the show moving ASAP for good reasons. The never-ending-winding-dragon of rider wound its way on the Valley loop and as usual the police and volunteers were unbelievable in their patience and support. More water then last year from Neviot...an essential improvement. The heat (34Dg) bore down as we hit the climb up Ramat Ishai but the Air Conditioning was on in downhill stretches making the ride bearable. Ingride's unfortunate accident was a cause for concern and anger but she continued riding the remaining 40 odd kms despite the pain (left elbow and right hand) - now that's what I call "gutsy" !! David verbally drove her assailant away who in true Israeli style denied responsibility. Our politicians have educated the public effectively. One could write so much more but just refer to previous year's rides reports and it much of a "muchness". The usual grazing spot is a fitting end to another superb adventure circumnavigating the grand Yizrael Valley in support of those who really demonstrate the indomitable human spirit. See you there next year!!!!!!!!!

Ride Report - 24th May. 2008 -HOME PATCH RIDE IN MEMORY OF RONNIE FEINBERG ז"ל- By John

Ronnie Feinberg ז"ל Memorial Ride

This Saturday ( 24th May) Cyclenix had a near record turnout of over thirty riders for a Home Patch ride which we held in memory of Ronnie. The route was not important. At 9.30am we reached our newest refreshment stop at the entrance to Bnei Tzion where we joined up with a large group of road riders (more than 70) who were also riding in memory of Ronnie. Here a number of riders spoke of Ronnie and his wonderful contribution to the Israeli Biking scene. Ronnie's brother, Alan, was also present and of the many people present I don't believe that there was a single person who wasn't touched by the moving speeches. Israel's biking world will be the poorer with the passing of Ronnie.

RONNIE FEINBERG 1955 – 2008

Last Saturday Ronnie Feinberg participated in his usual ride together with his inseparable cycling partners Norman Baron and Hilliard Hart. That evening, a few months short of his 53birthday Ronnie died peacefully in his sleep.

Ronnie was always into cycling participating in many national road rides in South Africa. John Cohen initiated and established the Ra’anana-based mountain bike club Cyclenix, but it was Ronnie that made membership grow as he brought their rides out of the immediate fields north of Ra’anana to once a month ‘away rides’ all over the country. I personally participated in rides from Nahal Katziv and Monfort in the north, to Zippori, Migdal Afek, Ben Shemen and Be’eri in the south.

About ten years ago my cycling partner Stephen Schulman and I happened upon Ronnie early one Saturday morning and we became friendly. Stephen and I told Ronnie that we two novices decided to participate in the national Trans-Israel ride from Kibbutz Dafna on the Lebanese border to Eilat, 550 kilometers in three days. He came to my home and had endless patience to explain the demands of the rides, what food we should carry, and what to expect of the organizers. We instantly knew the Israel Cycling scene should have him as the co-coordinator and brains behind any event. He also knew about cycling techniques be it on or off-road. He understood the importance of correct cadence and in addition, bicycle maintenance.

It was when I was involved with the London-based charity One-to-One and organized the ride around the Kinneret for Victims of Terror that I approached Ronnie. His input was imperative and his work on the details. These rides went without a hitch thanks to Ronnie’s input. This was not a one-time effort.

David Altshuler, the co-chairman of One-to-One wrote
"Adrian
This is very sad news. Ronnie was a great presence at the One to One Kinneret rides... I have many pictures of him and the guys and will always have good memories. Please wish his family long life and also tell them that together with you and your colleagues, he has inspired the setting up of eight One to One cycling clubs for disadvantaged kids in different parts of Israel... an enduring legacy.
All the best.
David"

Ronnie, you could not see the hundreds of people who attended your funeral, nor the 80 roadies and 32 Cyclenix off-roaders who participated in today’s Memorial Ride in the Sharon region. But without you, your gentleness and caring, none of this would happen.

Our condolences go to his family and also to those who will miss him four-times a week on their rides, Norman and Hilliard.

Adrian Wolff

Ride Report - 17th May. 2008 - Elishema along Nahal Kaneh - By Ariel

2008_05_17

יצאנו היום לכיוון מזרח. נקודת היציאה נקבעה - אלישמע, מושב צמוד לכפר סבא.
רוב הרוכבים הגיעו ברכב - המהדרין הגיעו באופניים מבתיהם.
הגיעו 22 רוכבים מתוכם 4 רוכבות.
בצענו מסלול שכבר רכבנו בו בעבר ומזג האויר היה נוח ונעים. המסלול התחיל בנחל קנה ונמשך לירקון עצמו. חלפנו ליד בריכות הנופרים היפות ושדות בהן פרחו החמניות הצהובות במלוא הדרן.
עברנו בסמוך לפארק אפק ותחנת הרכבת השוממת של ראש העין.
לבסוף הגענו ליעדנו - מבצר אנטיפטרוס אליו טיפסנו והתגברנו יפה על הקושי שבעניין. המבצר עצמו מרשים מאד ועובר שיפוצים שיעשו אותו עוד יותר אטרקטיבי.
התעכבנו בבית הקפה שבתחנת הדלק ליד קיבוץ עינת ולפי דרישת מקס גם אכלנו.
משם הדרך כבר היתה קצרה הביתה, לא לפני ששני רוכבים חזקים במיוחד נפלו כתוצאה מקפל קרקע מרגיז.
כאן מוני התגלה במלוא כושר האילתור כשראה את הגלגל הקדמי של מ. במצב שמיניה פשוט עלה עליו וכך הגלגל חזר וקדמותו ומ. שב לרכב עם חיוך נסוך על פניו.
מי שנורא רוצה לדעת מי הנופל צריך להביט בגלריה.
לקראת החזרה לאלישמע התפצלנו לכבישונים ולשטיחונים וחזרנו עייפים א מרוצים
תודה למקס ונורית על 40 ק"מ מהנים וזורמים.

Ride Report - 10th May. 2008 - Neighborhood Meanderings - By Denis

2008_05_10

It was another of those rare magnificent spring days, perfect for hitting the trail and enjoying every moment. Few such days remain before summer arrives in force, and the fields of green are already starting to wilt. Inspired by the need to ride now or wait until autumn, some 26 brave and hardy souls appeared at the usual spot at a most uncivilized 7am in order to head off towards the ocean. An unknown number (at least one) fell victim to habit and arrived at 7:30, and either dashed in vigorous pursuit after the peloton or vanished to places unknown.

The aforesaid peloton wended its way across yellowing fields, past the local airstrip, through Rishpon and over the bridge to Shefayim, to the high balcony overlooking the glorious deep blue sea in the Hof Hasharon nature reserve. Here the fresh Mediterranean air was breathed deeply by all, but despite the official notice at the entrance no foxes or badgers were observed. Then northwards through Gaash, around the golf course, into the woods of Ariel's forest (yet to be officially named, but bear-free), and all the way around to the Yaqum bridge. The few sandy patches en route were still readily passable. Then south and east through the orchards and up the hill (only a little hill) to Bnei Tziyon. Some of the kinder souls among us stopped to offer help to a passing gent with a broken chain, but despite admirable technical expertise the chain stayed broken and the gent had to summon his private rescue service.

At Bnei Tziyon the newly discovered refreshment stop and bike store offered sustenance to those who remained. A fair damsel amongst us decided to go shopping and returned with a pair of the most dazzling blue cycle-hosen to be seen this side of St Tropez; sunglasses are recommended when she next rides in her new togs. And so home via Bazra. After a refreshing 36km the real world loomed.

Ride Report - Zippori - 3rd May. 2008 - By David

May, 3rd, 2008 - Zippori

Credits: Another great Box-Office Hit from Ruthen Productions. Thanks Max and Nurit for researching the route, for your confident leadership from start to finish, for reminding us urban/suburban-ites of the beauty of the area and not least for arranging perfect weather (and thereby redeeming yourselves following the "excessive" wind and cold you laid on at Little Switzerland)

Participants: 16 riders were at Kfar Hassidim having driven up either in convoy or independently for the start shortly after 08:00 hrs.

Route: From Kfar Hassidim southwards to and through Kibbutz HaEmakim then eastwards through Busnat Tivon (where some of us had the distinct impression that our arrival in the village was not an altogether welcome event), into the Alonei Abba Reserve to soak up the natural beauty of the area and to enjoy some welcome downhill trails, then on up to the historical and charming village of Beit Lehem HaGlilit. From there north east down to Nahal Zippori and westwards along its length for about 12 kms, which included patches of "water/mud contact", some intentional and some not so intentional, with a brief stop at the picturesque mill, a scene which would not have been out of place in the countryside of Tuscany. Then leaving the river, it was back in a south westerly direction and to the cars, a total distance of 37 kms.

Conditions: Ideal riding conditions, both weather-wise and trail-wise

Bottom Line: This was certainly an outing to remember, having all the components of a great ride from every biking aspect - trail, scenery, accident-free, no mechanical (or human) breakdowns, and lots of fun.

Check out these sites

Israel Police cyclist rules of the road: http://www.police.gov.il/english/Traffic/Road_Safety/04_en_tr_bicycle.asp

Beginner's Mountain Bike Info Guide: http://www.romp.org/rides/beginnerguide.html

Bicycle Unit of the Civil Guard (Mishmar Ezrahi),
The Department of Community Affairs and the Civil Guard of the Israeli Police Force in conjunction with the Israel Cyclists' Association call on you to join the Cycling Unit of the Civil Guard.
Volunteer Now . Follow the link for more details .

THE BOTTOM LINE ! :
ALL RIDERS PARTICIPATING IN THE CLUB'S ACTIVITIES MUST ACCEPT THAT THE CLUB CONSISTS OF A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, FOND OF RIDING IN EACH OTHERS COMPANY, ON THE BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING THAT NO ONE TAKES OR BEARS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS AND EACH IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN LIFE, HEALTH AND BELONGINGS.