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Ride Report - 29th December 2007 - By John

2007_12_29

Well, he did it again! Full marks to Max for leading us on yet another new route!

At a few minutes to 7.30am I arrived at our usual "Home Patch" ride meeting place and by 7.30am another nine riders had joined me. Welcome to two new riders, Barbara and Eitan. Great to have you both with us and we hope that this will have been the first of many outings with Cyclenix.

We set off Eastwards through Hod Hasharon and at the traffic light immediately East of the Kfar Sava Police station we were met by David and Ingride. What a surprise seeing them there!!!!Now there were 12 of us and off we went along Road 40 towards Moshav Eli Shemer. At the entrance of the Moshav our guide Max was awaiting us with his better half, Nurit.

And then our adventure began...along the bank of Nahal Kane to its confluence (nice word David!) with Nahal Yarkon, Westward along the banks of the Yaron, under Kvish Geha (Road 4) to Kiriat Atidim with a stop at Arcafe for refreshments and then home along Road 482, passing Kfar HaYarok, through Ramat Hasharon and Herzliya and back to home base, Ra'anana.

It was a great ride which included two water crossings, a little bit of mud now and then (just to make sure that when we arrived home those who met us would know that we'd been off road), Some nice little descents (and ascents) to test our skills and this time, a fair bit of "on road" riding. All in all, we enjoyed 42 kilometres of good riding, nice weather and above all, first class company.

Once again, Thank you Max for a new, well chosen and enjoyable route.

Night Ride Report - 25th December 2007 - By Max

CYCLENIX JUNIORS PROVE THEY CAN DO IT ALONE.

That was the headline when the 5 orphans left Ramat Gan stadium at 20.00 yesterday. (25.12.07) This was the new generation, the cyclists of the new dawn. No founding members appeared. No one to lead, No direction.
Suddenly it was clear, they rode, their lights blazing a path in to the darkness. Along the Yarkon they went, down through the park and they were doing it. they were carrying on the long tradition started by men, many years older than they...
Seriously though..., we were 5 , Mony, Ariel, Denis, Nurit and Max and although it was cold to begin, we soon warmed up as we wound our way through the usual paths down to max Brenner plaza by Reading. Hardly any other cyclists out there but here and there joggers and strollers were seen. Down along the promenade nearly empty, good for riding, and down to Yaffo without one break. Up the hill, I love it, and down to the cannons.
"We will fight them on the beaches, we will fight them in the air, we will fight them at sea. But we will never surrender..." Then through the streets of Neveh Tzedek, which is going through extensive renovation and then coffee and back.
The night was cold but the ride was fast, the company was good and the streets of Tel Aviv still have their special attraction. Join us next week to find our more about the orphans...

Ride Report - 22nd December 2007 - By Max

2007_12_22

Alarm goes off. She kicks me out. 06.15 ... bloody hell... worse than the army. Got to bed at 2.30. jeez. Got dressed, had a cuppa tea. Brrrr. Opened the door to the bikes went outside... Brrrrrrrrr. Started riding to Ranana.... Brrrrrrrrrrrr cold, eyes watering, fingers falling off... I feel for those guys climbing the Matterhorn. Why can't we start at 10.00? or at 11.00?? Mad dogs of Englishman etc, or Anglos with Hebrews. Ok Ok Israelites.

OK so now we decided that the Yarkon would be too muddy so David took us his way. (I'll do it myyyyyyyyyy way...).All along Ra'anana, 23 riders or so, jumpers, overcoats, one guy even wearing a plastic bag. Actually one of the best ways to keep out a cold frontal wind is to put a piece of plastic under the top layer of clothing or even a newspaper. Anyone know how to keep out a cold rear wind ??? by the way the newspaper has other uses after you get warmed up.

Went down to Kfar Shmaryahou, Herzaliya Pituach, down via Apollonia and north towards Netanya. So far nearly no mud. Does anyone know how to stop mud clogging up the tyres and causing the bike to stop?? Somewhere out there has to be a genius who will design mud ride able bikes.

Ok getting warmer now and riding faster, we got to Arsuf,where everyone sighed with relief and stopped to have coffee BUT the ironmen amongst us (apart from Hylton who was seen trying to order his coffee) said NO, this is neither the time nor place to stop, so off we went North again, through the reserve and onwards to the Look out. Today was glorious, just the place to sit, relax and chat. the sea was an incredible blue with white puffs on the waves and I was told that David was an ardent sails man in his younger days.

After a break of about 15 minutes it was " Get on your bikes" time and off we went to Kibbutz Gaash where Itzik met his wife's brother's uncle in law and stayed a bit to chat. We carried on and rode through normally impassable sand, which had been flattened by the rain and was easily passable. Rode on to Yakum over the highway and hit a stretch of heavy clayish type mud which stopped all of us in our tracks apart from Nurit and David who are mudless people. Then having cleaned up the bikes a bit rode down to Ronit's farm, up the hill and eventually to Arsuf. By this time we were 10.

Will the other riders who went their own way please let us know if you are out of the mud by now...
OK Arsuf was full... very inconsiderate so we went to Rishpon to ... Cant remember the name... and sat and had a nice break. Then to the TREK sale and home.

All in all a glorious day, a good run, great company and thanks to David for the direction. Lets look forward to mudless days.

Ride Report - 19th December 2007 - Night Ride - By Vashek

Last Wednesday evening ride report: It happened to me again, a third time since I am riding with Cyclenix. I've never had a chance to meet the group at evening. On my way to the evening ride I was a little late than tried to call some Cyclenix veterans just to ask them to wait for me five minutes. Nobody answered my call except Ted who informed me that nobody will probably come. I never give up, don't care to be a lone rider and don't care about wheather. As expected, nobody was at the meeting point but while I prepared my bike I noticed a lost man in riding shirt loking for something -- it was Denis looking for the lost Cyclenix group. Well, good, I'm not alone ...

We decided to take the unusual route: Along the Yarkon river all the way from the Ramat Gan Stadium to the "Max Brenner" square, than North along Shikun Lamed, Tzukim beach and Tel Baruch beach to the Hertzeliya marina, on the marina pier, more north until the Arena mall, arround the mall and than back the same way. No refreshment stop, Denis was in a hurry for his wife meal.

The bottom line -- 35 km of pretty fast riding, one stop on the pier, good company and a perfect wheather, no man can ask for a better one. Who said it will be rainy, only few clouds were seen far away above the sea. All those afraid of the rain just missed perfect riding conditions and a great ride. No photos, just two of us...

Ride Report - 15th December 2007 - Gvaram - By Ted

2007_12_15 Gvaram

Sitting in the car on the way down to Gvaram was misleading. It was pleasantly warm and cozy and promising with clear blue skies smiling at us through the windscreen. Upon reaching Kibbutz Gvaram and opening the door of the car reality set in as our teeth chattered and our knees shook in the 10deg cold.

It was a shock to our systems and we hurried to get on the road and warm up but our 4th guide it seemed also stood us up so we decided to put our trust in Max’s map and having consulted with another couple of riders nearby on the general direction we set off with a brisk uphill climb towards Gvaram Forest.

It was followed by the first exhilarating singles bounded on either side by short clumps of brush gently feathering our icy legs. But then came the first hill and we were in the forest of eucalypt and various conifers on a superb singles with the warmth of the sun peering through and gradually warming us.

By the time we reached the abandoned caved quarry we were stripping layers. Our latest guest riders Simona and Shahav were a breath of fresh air with their youth bringing our average age down a couple of notches. And Lo and Behold suddenly a voice calls out and there stood our guides Hagai and Omer who had just missed us but with some hard riding managed to overtake us.

We set off on more great singles with ascents and stony down-hills, blotches of sand and winding paths and at one point I was certain that I was back in Australia as the surroundings with the gum-eucalyptus trees and undergrowth were a dead-ringer of my former homeland. All that was missing was a Koala and a Kookaburra. We rounded more curves than on Marylyn Monroe’s body and climbed up and down more hills but alas we were soon back at the start point. Dissatisfied and wanting more, we set off and after various deliberations decided to ride another circuit which seemed easier and even more enjoyable then the first.

We ended off with a heavy Shakshuka dominated brunch at Yad Mordechai(look mum, no Kassam!) and rode back with smiles on our faces.

Thanks to Haagai, Omer, Max and the elements as well as great company on a fab ride.

Ride Report - 8th December 2007 - Local RideBy John

2007_12_08

6am My alarm woke me. I only got to bed at 2.30am! I looked out the window. It was dark and raining. "Am I nuts?" I thought to myself. "yes" so I got up and made preparations to ride on my own. Checked my e-mail...an e-mail from Max asking if anyone was riding........I smiled...I would not be alone. I immediately despatched a reply saying that "yes", I was riding.

7.30am I arrived at the starting point. I wasn't alone....Moni was there and soon after Ariel joined us. Where was Max? At 7.35am the three of us started off West along Ahuza Street and then at Ariel's suggestion, South along Rehov Yerushalaim Turning west again and making our way towards the Herzliya Airport along Menachem Begin Street. Then it was South again towards the Herzliya Sportek and at Rav Kook Street we turned right towards the Herzliya Railway station, crossed the bridge and then headed for the Industrial area of Herzliya Pituach. At the entrance to the industrial area we made a left hand turn and travelled along the Coastal Road towards Tel Aviv making another right hand turn and eventually entering the Herzliya Marina. From there it was North, passed the beach front hotels and Herzliya Pituach mansions where many foreign Ambassadors have their residences. We continued North, passed Apolonia, skirting the old Israel Arms Industry's old site. I have no doubt that the paths here must be extremely sandy in summer, and difficult to negotiate, but after the recent rains the paths were firm and there was hardly any mud. 24 kilometres from the start we arrived at Arsuf for breakfast! There were two others at the restaurant apart from the three of us . The food and drink was good and after satisfying our hunger and thirst it was off towards Raanana.

I have to say that the weather was superb riding weather. There may have been a maximum of 7 minutes of light drizzle but apart from that there was no rain at all. If you were not there then you missed a great ride along a new route that we must repeat again.

It's winter now, so tog yourself with the right winter riding clothes and don't let a little rain put you off riding!!!

Ride Report - 1st December 2007 - Away Ride - Dereh Hapsilim and Burma Road-By David Lewis

Dec. 1, 2007 Burma Road

Participants: 19 riders, including 3 "Jerusalemites", 2 of whom (Ira and Stan) had joined us on previous rides a while back - good to see you all (we really envy [:)] your having such incredible biking country on your doorstep.

Route: From the cars (in the KKL parking area on Road 38 just off Sha'ar HaGai) down to Misilat Tzion, up through the Eshtaol Forest to Mitzpe Eshtaol, down to and across Road 44, onto Dereh Hapsilim and along (and up and down!) its entire length (black/white trail markings), re-crossing Road 44 and up to Mitzpe Harel (with a stop for some Bedouin fare and refreshments), then down to the Burma Road, up the Burma Road, up the Burma Road, up some more, down, then up and down again (red/white trail markings in the course of which joining the familiar orange/blue/white of the Shvil Israel), then back across Road 38 to the cars 31 kilometres, a few hours and much exhilaration later.

Conditions: Ideal weather conditions (we had previously done this ride in summer, amid much suffering!!) and ideal track conditions - no sand, no mud, although some of the steeper loose-stone downhills do require care and concentration.

Bottom line: Riding in the Jerusalem Hills is always a high point in the Cyclenix calendar and today's ride reminds me why - a blend of the natural beauty of the surroundings, whether in a forest, down a wadi, or on a hilltop with the countryside at your feet, with just "riding a bike", the freedom, the openness, at times the physical and mental challenges, and in a Cyclenix context (need I say it?) simply "the Company", all of which added up to a Great Ride.

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.