Ride Report - 27th Sep - local Ride - By David
Participants: 16 starters including newcomer Ahuva (welcome and I hope you will join us again soon)
Route: Our "standard" sand-dodging route: from Ranana down to the coast, through the Sharon Beach reserve, through the Kibbutz at Ga'ash, past the golf course to the southern end of Wingate, over the coastal road to Yakum, then on to Udim and from there up to Neve Hadassa, then south to Bnei Zion for a refreshment stop at Spingo, and back to Ranana - total distance 37 kms.
Conditions: A welcome relief from the heat of the past few months. Our timing was good - the heavy downpour and accompanying strong winds struck after we reached Spingo so that we were mostly spectators of rather than participants in the welcome rain!!
Bottom Line: An enjoyable ride with (as usual) "good company" at the head of the list. Shana Tova to the entire Cyclenix Family
Ride Report - 20th September Moni's 60th, Yarkon ride - By Nurit
At 06.30 19 of us met, in the parking area in front of the Super in sleepy hod Hasharon. It was Moni's 60th birthday and we were taking part in the celebrations.
We rode down to the South side of the Yarkon and got into the OFF road part by the Nursery in Neveh Ne'eman.
Our first stop was by the side of the rebuilt Pumping station and after a short explanation we were on our way west towards the Sea.
Like a snake, we wound our way along the trail as we were hugged by the cool fresh air of the morning, each one to his own and all together and without too much of ado we found ourselves at Ramat Hahayal. Half the trail ridden already.
Here a break, to refresh our bodies with energy snacks and a time to chat and to get updated and soon the alarm went to carry on the ride.
Reinforced by 2 more riders we rode back on the other side of the Yarkon where we came across many more riders. The trail filled with dust and twisted its way back and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The birthday ride ended at Moni's daughter's house in Hod Hasharon and a kings banquet awaited. We raised our glasses and again Mazal Tov to Moni – till 120.
Thanks to Ronit and her daughters on the wonderful spread.
Thanks to Max who led us. May there be many more.
Ride Report - 18 September Moonlight Yarkon ride - By Max
22.00 came and we started off on what became a great ride. We left Elishema on time with 10 hardy riders, we turned our lights on and looked at the moon and said Noo !!
We started off at a reasonable pace for the warm up and gradually built up speed. We arrived at the Yarkon after going along the Kaneh, and with help from the four professional lightist's amongst us we had enough light to show us the way and blind any other who might have been on the trail.
After crossing the bridge we did a head count and realized that Itzik on his new Bianci bike had lost us !!
We phoned him and managed to understand where he was and very soon later, he joined us again.
On we went through the great Yarkon trail, a must for night rides, and with a couple of more quick stops here and there, we arrived very quickly at Ramat Hahayal, at the beginning of park HaYarkon for a longer energy snack break and from then to Tel Aviv it was just a quick breeze.
Another quick break and over the bridge past the power station and Ramat Aviv and on towards one of the more picturesque areas of Israel – Tel Baruch. Here we checked out the action and Martin explained how and why he had contact with a bollard on a previous ride.
From here we went to the Herzlia marina and had a great stop for coffee and a minute cheese cake.
Then on through Herzlia Pituach and back to Ranana where we said good byes and split off into all directions West.
All in all we did about 54 kms. The ride was great, the company even better and hopefully these special night rides will become an ongoing feature.
Ride Report - Sept. 13th - Local Ride -
By John
For anyone who wanted to take part in a nice leisurely ride in ideal weather conditions with very little sand on the trail, nice company, no adrenalin rushes but nevertheless good exercise, today's Home Patch ride was the answer. With the exception of a ride through a lovely grove of trees passing a picturesque horse farm with magnificient horses on the Bnei Tzion moshav we had on other occasions, traversed all the route that we covered today. (+/- 40 kms)Thank you Shmulik for intoducing us to this new detour.
Eight of us started off at 6.30am from our usual meeting point and just before we entered Rishpon, we were joined by Mina and Yaacov and Judith Shalev. Judith, it's great to see you back on your bike again and we hope to see you often in the future.
Our "breakfast stop" was at what seems to have become one of our favourite "refueling stops", the bike shop/restaurant at the entrance to Bnei Tzion.
I can safely say that everyone who took part in this ride thoroughly enjoyed themseves!
Ride Report - Sept. 13th - Away Ride-: The Saadim Challenge -
By Dennis
Not too long after sunrise we started at Motza with 18 hardy insomniacs. As
we
passed by the Beit Zayit reservoir, along Nahal Soreq and beyond, there were
beautiful views of hills and valleys, hillside villages, ruins, and one must
not
forget the prominently positioned Hadassa hospital - always useful to have
in
the neighborhood in case of excessive exhaustion.
We stopped at the Ein Handaq ruins, part of an ancient system for capturing
and
transporting spring water. Some ventured deep into the dark tunnel where the
water level was considerably more than knee deep. The next stop was at the
Monastery of St. John of the Desert (no desert around here), with its
beautiful
sloping gardens and some nice architectural touches; a very peaceful place
perfect for deep meditation. Located on a hillside next to Even Sapir, it
was
reached by a fast descent, but needed an equally steep climb to exit.
The picnic rest at Hirbet Saadim in the Aminadav forest provided a welcome
break; as we sat beneath the trees the cool breeze allowed us to forget the
hot
summer down below. Here discussions ranged from how to lovingly care for
one's
chain to the virtues of advanced bicycle technology - does one really need a
frame that weighs less than lunch (assuming a couple of steinfulls of beer).
We
then proceeded around Har Salman and along a trail overlooking Nahal Refaim
with
the train tracks to Jerusalem far below. We half-expected to see some
Ottoman
relic puffing laboriously up the valley, but alas, none came.
On to Ein Lavan, where the cool green waters were too much of a temptation
for
those who abandoned their cycling shoes and assorted items of apparel and
dived,
jumped or clambered into the deep pool.
With little time to dry out we
continued
up via Ora and then on to Ein Karem via Moskovia, a lunch break in a local
eatery, and back to the starting point.
A distance of 35.4 km, with three hours in motion (how many not in motion
will
not be revealed) a bit of which was spent pushing, pulling and carrying
bikes
over otherwise impassable stretches, rather than riding them. The change in
elevation was about 260m, but the total distance climbed was more than
double
this; some of the climbs were stressful, but the descents were long and fast
-
no pain no gain (full suspension definitely recommended for preservation of
one's rear end). But everybody agreed it was a great ride and all are
eagerly
awaiting more of the same.
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.
©
