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SPECIAL
RIDER
PROFILE
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The Jerusalem Hills are Alive with the Sound of ..... Panting.
11 of us on 10 bikes gathered in the cool morning air to set off on a circular route of around 30 km starting at the KKL parking lot on Route 38 just off Sha’ar Ha’Gai, from Mesilat Tzion into the Eshtaol Forest and up to Mitzpe Eshtaol, down to and across Route 44, along Dereh Ha Psalim, then re-crossing 44 and up to Mitzpe Harel, part of the Burma road then back to the cars.
With a delay to fix a wheel hub, we set off on a route that proved to be visually wonderful, but physically challenging! The views along Dereh HaPsalim were really great, but I spent my time focusing on the path, only glancing now and then at the statues and views. The uphills (and there were many) were tough and the downhills required technical know-how and a lot of concentration. We had a fall or two that resulted in some war-wounds to show off....!
Respite came in the form of a Bedouin tent, where we happily rested and enjoyed some Bedouin coffee and refreshments. The environs were enticing enough for one of the party to remain and rest instead of going out into the midday sun and crawl up more hills. I think many of us would have liked to remain as well.... but it was worth the effort. A sense of achievement and the pleasure of a really scenic route.
We completed the circular route under David's leadership, aided by remembrances of trails past - Hylton and Ted also pondered about which paths looked familiar. We rode for almost 3 hours over terrain that wasn't always easy, but with perfect weather conditions and a great group.
Participants: 14 including newcomers Yael, Gadi and Elli - welcome and we hope you will join us again soon Route: From Ra'anana down to the view site at the Sharon Beach Nature Reserve - north to Udim via Ga'ash - east and south to Bnei Zion for a refreshment stop at Spingo - back to Ra'anana Distance: 36 kms Bottom Line: Enjoyable ride - ideal weather conditions
Ride Report - Derech Nof HaKarmel - April 10, 2010 - by David
Participants: 13 Route: Circular clockwise from Muhraka (at the base of the Carmelite Monastery) - through Osfiya - down to Nahal Nesher - up and along Derech Nof HaKarmel back to Muhraka. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29538000 Distance: 18 kms Bottom Line: Magnificent views - ideal weather conditions. However the route needs to be lengthened to take advantage of the area's great biking potential.
Ride Report - April 3, 2010 -by Hylton
Well, I suppose as it was advertised that I would lead the group on the Tel Aviv ride as this is my "stamping ground", I should be the one to do the write-up.
Firstly, the ride was originally scheduled for last week, but the weather got in the way and it was abandoned, although some of us did actually make the attempt. I got about a quarter of the way to Reading, and called John to say "this is crazy" but not before stopping under a bridge and donning my rain suite.
Today however, was different. Eleven of us met at Reading, unfortunately not including John or Megan. During the week, John tripped over a leaf or something and "almost broke his arm"!!! Meghan "did something to herself" whilst working, and I believe the two of them caused Megan's special birthday tiyul to be abandoned. What a shame, but happy birthday to Megan anyway.
So the eleven of us started out on the Tayelet on Tel Aviv's waterfront and made an easy pace all the way to Bat Yam. Gone are the 'off road' bits that once had posed a challenge, and you can now follow the new Tayelet all the way to Bat Yam and even beyond that I believe, to Rishon Le Zion.
We stopped at the now partly crumbling and rather rusty "shpitz" that juts out into the sea, but couldn't persuade Ingrid to go for another fully clothed swim off the jetty, as she had done some many years before (after a dare from the assembled "mob") Her excuse was that the water "looked" too cold!!!
An about-turn was made and we headed back via the Jaffa tourist route, past the three cannons and on into Neve Zedek where we stopped for refreshments and idle banter at "Suzanna", one of the nicest and most reasonably priced eateries in the area. From there it was a roundabout route through the Susanne Dellal centre and the winding one way streets of Neve Zedek and on towards Rothschild Boulevard where we rode down the middle of this beautiful street, filled with restaurants and coffee shops on either side, and kiosk type coffee stops along the pedestrianised / bikelaned middle.
I had ridden to the start earlier in the morning from home, so I "peeled off" at Shenkin Stree and made my way home, leaving the other ten to make their way back to the parking lot at Reading. For me it was 33kms round trip and a very pleasant morning of exercise and good company.
Spring was definitely in the air as 14 of us set of East. We were waved off by Bailey and Barbara. Bailey eyed us disdainfully, deciding he simply couldn't join us, being a four-wheel drive dog...
We took our usual route through Hod Hasharon towards the Yarkon River. We headed in the direction of Petach Tikveh, passed by Park Afek near Rosh Haayin and on to Kibbutz Einat and then home again via Neve Yarak and Adanim. We had some fun skirting water and some of us were lucky enough to get a free muddy shoe wash.
The area around Rosh Haayin is significant, as it is the source fo the Yarkon River, and played an important role during the Crusader period. But history was not our only companion - we enjoyed the sights, sounds and tastes of early Spring: lechem Aravi (a must in any salad), qumquat lemons (a first for some of us); peach blossoms, caprets wild flowers (yellows and reds) and the sounds of kingfishers and Indian Ring Neched parakeets. A route for gourmets.
On the way back we lost Megan, and Frederic the gentlman, went off to find her. Neither were seen again....Hopefully they found their way back ...
We covered 47 km in perfect conditions: sunny, breezy and good companions.
We began today's sojourn in Ra'anana and made our way towards the west, trying o avoid flooded areas. We were a pretty large group of 17 people, led by David. Among us were some newcomers. WELCOME to Ian, Meir, Daphna and Uri. We rode through the wheat and are getting used to being beaten by wet plants. Our bikes looked camouflaged by all the greenery they collected in the gears and brakes. David was saved from a bad fall after encountering a big hidden rock, by his fast thinking, and we rode on. We rode along the railroad tracks toward Udim and rode the narrow path around the mountain. Basically, we rode a familiar ride, but backwards. The flowers are still in bloom and the weather was warm, but not hot. In short, a beautiful day for a ride. We did hit some muddy areas and there were some sand pits along the way, but all in all, the paths were in decent condition.
On our way back, Frederic, Ingride and I reached the turn-off for the orchard and decided to make our way through and get the tables organized at SPINGO. Little did we know the adventure we were embarking upon. I led the way through the orchard and was surprised to find that bee hives had been transported there to assist in the pollination of the trees. I discovered this when I rode into a huge cloud of bees. I kept riding, hoping that I would not get stung. One bee landed on my forehead and decided to come for the ride and I was not brave enough to push him off. Luckily, he decided to get off at the next stop and so I bade him good-bye. Then over the big bump at the end and into what can only be likened to the rain forests of Peru. The weeds were about 2 meters tall and hadcompletely overgrown the dirt access road. I felt like I was alone in the jungle and afraid that if I stopped, I would never get out. I just kept peddling until a weed wrapped itself around my ankle and pulled me off my bike. Took this time to call David and warn him not to bring the group this way. I then started pushing my way through the weeds, when all of a sudden I heard a shout behind me. Here was Frederic to the rescue, or so I thought, but he rode by yelling that the funny looking dog (Bushy tail? Small head? Frederic, have you ever seen a fox?) was trying to get him. I managed to remount and pedal out of the jungle, arms and legs scratched and stinging from the nettles.
We rode on to Spingo to find the weaker hearted (okay the ones with enough brains to take the road) already sitting there in the shade. My only thought at that point was ICE CAFE BARAD. And in case you missed my meaning, I will repeat, ICE CAFE BARAD. And unbelievable as this may sound, for the second week running, there was NO ICE CAFE BARAD. Now, I am known for my reticence and quiet demeanor, so you can imagine everyone's surprise when I opened my mouth and complained profusely about this great tragedy. Alas, to no avail, because for the second Saturday I went home deprived of my nectar.
Even taking into account the terrible ICE CAFE BARAD incident, it was a great ride. From start to finish, the ride was exactly 32 kilometers and the pace was pretty good. David made up for last week by not taking us up the hill in Batzra, which was a blessing. A good time was had by all, which is what is important.
HINT: Do not call Ingride "Granny", if you value your life.
INTERESTS: If you are looking for new pursuits, ask Megan about the Ceramic Classes she is attending, as I heard they are very exciting.
REQUEST: Can we please do the Be'eri ride before it gets too hot?
Special Report - March 5, 2010 -Purim Ride Ra'anana
Some of our riders took part in the Ra'anana Purim Parade, (Adliada) . Thanks to Ariel for organising our participation. The following is a link to some of the photoraphs that were taken.
A beautiful suumer's day (but not too hot) is what greeted the 17 riders who gathered at the starting point of today's ride. First of all, a BIG welcome to Joe, our webmaster who is presently here in Israel on holiday. It was really good to have you ride with us. Secondly, we have a new member of the group, Anna. Welcome to you and I hope you enjoyed your first experience with Cyclenix and that we will see more of you in the future. Thirdly, it was great to have Martin and Michelle and Dennis riding with us after a long, long absence. Try and make a habit of it!
Our ride today was along a route that we have often travelled, but there was lots of evidence that Spring is here. The fields were really colourful. A small tortoise paid us a visit. The Kingfishers were abundant, as were lots of other species of bird life. We saw, what was probably one of the last Black Irises of the season. The weather was as close to perfect as can be and this resulted in many more people than usual out in the open to enjoy the Spring weather....Bikers, hikers and family groups of picnickers were out in force. We made a stop at one of our favourite refreshment stops, Spingo, at Bnei Tzion, and as usual, the srvice and food was excellent. From there we all headed for home. Another approximately 35 kilometres of excellent riding with great company was behind us.
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.
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