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On The Trail - Archives for Jan and Feb 2007

דו"ח רכיבה: יום שבת 24 לפברואר 2007 - קיבוץ רעים - מאריאל
מרטין החליט שלמרות שהוא לא הצטרף לטיול האחרון בבארי הוא לא יוותר על היופי שמפאר בימים אלו את האיזור. הוא פתח טיול באתר דבר שהביא לפיצול הקבוצה כי חלק אחר תכנן לדווש בתל אביב. יש רוכבי אופניים, כמוני למשל, שכשרואים שכשנפתח טיול בבארי הם פשוט מצטרפים אליו. אבל הפעם רציתי לשדרג קצת את המסלול. במקרה קראתי בשבוע שעבר באתר "גרופי" שקבוצה יצאה לרכיבה באיזור קיבוץ רעים ונהנתה מאד. היה תיאור של אנשי הקיבוץ הטובים שמסייעים לרוכבי האופניים שבאים לרכב באיזור. היה גם מספר טלפון של בחור בשם ג'קי שהוביל אותם. צילצלתי לג'קי והוא מסר שישמח להוביל אותנו בשבילי האיזור. הודעתי למרטין וביקשתי שישנה את שעת המפגש ל 6:30  וכך היה. בבוקר בצומת מורשה סיפרתי ל 9 אנשי הקבוצה שהתאספו ששיניתי את היעד מבארי לקיבוץ רעים המרוחק 5 ק"מ בלבד. החברים קיבלו זאת בהבנה ויצאנו לדרך. הגענו לקיבוץ ובכניסה קיבל את פנינו ג'קי בחיוך גדול. התקבצנו באוהל האירוח הגדול והיפה שג'קי בעזרת חברים בנה, שתינו קפה (על חשבון הבית), קבלנו הסבר על הקיבוץ, האיזור ועל אופי הרכיבה. יצאנו לרכב וגילינו שטח מצויין שמכיל כל מה שרוכב שטח מחפש -  סינגלים של עליות וירידות לא קשות מדי, נוף מהמם של ירוק/אדום/צהוב/כחול, זרימה של נחל הבשור באפיק רחב, עדרי כבשים, גשרי בטון שאדריאן השתעשע שם בחציה בתוך המים (תמונה מצורפת) ועוד ועוד ... והכל, בהובלתו הבוטחת של ג'קי שהתגלה כאיש אשכולות שהשהיה הקצרה בחברתו הפכה אותנו מיד לחברים. יש לציין לטובה גם את רפאל, הבחור המקסיקני הנחמד מהקיבוץ שהצטרף כמאסף. אין מה לדבר, "רעים" -  זה הדבר הבא במסלולי רכיבת אופניים.  לאחר שברכיבה ברעים כמעט לא נתקלנו ברוכבי אופניים במסלולים השונים, נדהמנו (שוב) לראות  שליד קיבוץ בארי התקבצו מאות רוכבי אופניים שרכבו אותה שעה באיזור. אמרנו לעצמנו -  מזל שמצאנו אלטרנטיבה לא פחות טובה והרבה יותר שקטה.

Ride report: 24 February 2007 - TEL-AVIV - by Ted
A Tel Aviv ride is not always attractive…..at least, not until one is in the saddle and moving through this amazing metropolis. When Avi suggested that we ride in TA, I was reluctant at first but then when he told me the route, I felt that this was not a “regular” TA ride. No crowded Tayelet, no Bat Yam, no Jaffa but something different. And so, the 9 riders who came along this morning can truly acclaim…..WELL DONE AVI!!. We set off from Reading, as in Lord, (not redding) to the north past the power station where we stopped to hear some details about the British memorial situated at the northern end of the TA harbour. We continued on through Gimmel and up to the Kfar Hayaraok where we rode up and down looking for an exit but not before we visited he ancient burial tombs of the Samaritans at Tel Baruch. The surrounding fields were ablaze with flora, almost reminiscent of the Be’eri ride. The warmish breeze and the haze added to the atmosphere of “a different ride” and as we finally broke trough to the south Avi surprised us by taking us to the Military Cemetery at Kiryat Shaul where we visited the grave of his former legendary commander. Avi’s account was moving and he reminded us that on Sunday Feb 25, at 21.40, the first channel were screening a docu about his commander and the legendary battalion of the 50’s and 60’s. We headed to the east, past orchards and fields, dogs and joggers and my former home 35 years ago in Sth Zahala. From there we pedaled to Atidim where we stopped for a break after a patch of sandy, challenging trail riding. We were back in a built up area but after a short ride we hit the eastern end of Park Hayarkon, (Park Rabinovich) which continues to develop in an astounding fashion. Visitors abounded and yet, we enjoyed the ride among the crowded park whose southern border is the Yarkon River. Ducks, geese and other species waded in the murky river waters as eucalyptus branches reached for the ground where we came upon a spectacularly coloured chameleon. The last westbound leg was topped off by a coffee-break at a café in the old TA port where we sat watching the world go by. A great ride, good company, 21kl’s and thanks to Avi.
Ride Report: 17.02.2007 - Home Patch (North) - by David
In light of the heavy rains during the week the 13 starters opted for TMMR ("Ted's Minimum Mud Route"!) which took us down to Kfar Shmaryahu then to Rishpon where we crossed the footbridge over the coastal highway, then north past Shefayim, into and the Sharon Beach Nature Reserve (with a "compulsory" stop at the view site to soak up some Mediterranean splendor), then through the Kibbutz at Ga'ash, up to Wingate's southern boundary, re-crossing the highway at Yakum, and back to Ra'anana via our regular refreshment stop at Rishpon's Drago Grill. True to forecast the clouds dispersed as the ride progressed providing perfect riding conditions - and a taste of Spring to come.... All of which added up to 33 kilometers of relaxing, trouble-free riding amid excellent company, some fun, good exercise and as usual "just good to be out there on our bikes".
Ride through Park Beeri 10 February 2007 - פסטיבל אדום בדרום -  by Daniel
Unbelievable, indescribable, thrilling, invigorating and most important beautiful --- some of the numerous adjectives that can describe the ride through Park Beeri. I missed the ride last year and the year before and had been waiting impatiently for the ride this February --- all my expectations and more were all satisfied as were all my 5 requirements for a successful ride. The morning started with a 06.15 downpour in Ra'anana and a phone call to David -"are we still going in this rain?", "Definitely" was his reply and we were all on our way.15 of us met at the entrance to the park after a drive of 75 minutes. The weather was pleasant with overcast skies and bearable temperatures. The route is mostly a single file ride with lots of short uphills and downhills, long stretches of flat riding and two sections of real roller coaster riding - this only describes the technical details which were at times fairly challenging but describes nothing about the surroundings - large lush green expanses of a mixture of open fields interspersed with forest areas and of course a sea of islands of red כלניות with smaller areas of little yellow flowers. This attempt at describing the area definitely does not do justice to it - must be seen to be believed. We stopped fairly often to really enjoy the surroundings as riding in single file over at times difficult terrain does not allow much time to absorb everything. After three thrilling hours and about 22 kms we arrived back satiated to the full.
Ride Report: 20 January 2007 - CANADA PARK  - by Craig
29 riders showed up at the parking area of Park Canada for a chance to experience a different sort of mountain biking than what we are used to. The participants were led by Paul of TeChnOBIKE on trip through the singles of Park Canada. In the beginning, the first single appeared too much for most of the riders as it wound its way through sharp, rocky terrain and down slick and steep downgrades resulting in at least one nasty fall. Nonetheless, not one rider left the group as we continued through to more manageable singles containing a multitude of jumps and drop-offs, providing the excitement and challenge of fast technical riding. During this section, one of our leaders showed again why he has inherited the leadership role. Despite David somersaulting his way to a nasty fall, he rose, dusted off his pants, checked that his bones were still correctly organized and continued onward through the rest of the ride. The final single was clearly the most fun. Many of the group continued the steep ride to one of the high altitude points of Park Canada. From there we began a path which included incredible declines, multiple drop- offs and descents down rocky steps. For those of us who ventured into this section, the result was the experience of adrenalin rush which comes from trying things you didn't think you could do. And for those who were intelligent enough to try some of these obstacles but not others, also they deserve a note of recognition for defining personal limits resulting in a fun but safe experience. In sum, Cyclenix expresses its thanks to Paul for providing such interesting and varied challenges and experiences. It was great!
Daniel Klug - Special Rider Profile

 If you saw this guy in his riding gear you'd never believe he's a doctor!!! Looks more like a hardened professional biker. He's one of our regular, regular bikers and also one of the strongest ones. On the rare occasion when one of our riders has taken a fall, he's stood quietly in the background keeping a careful eye on whoever happens to be rendering first aid, and, if necessary, coming to the rescue to give advice and a helping hand. Knowing that he's riding with us always make us feel that much more secure!!!

Born in England and grew up in South Africa , he made aliyah in 1979 . He's married to Ros and they have 2 children. Daniel has a real dry sense of humor and don't let his quiet disposition fool you. This guy can be a real live wire. Apart from cycling his other interests include squash and tiyulim. If he is numbered amongst one of your friends, then you can rest assured that you have a real good friend that will always stand by you. I have known him for some years now and I can tell you this,......I am very glad to number him amongst my list of friends. Cyclenix is indeed lucky to have him as one of our members!!!
 
Ride Report: 13 January 2007 - Home Patch (North) - by David
Not to be put off by the cold and prospect of rain, 18 bikers (among whom a gutsy 12 year old, Roni daughter of Larry) were at the start and ready to roll. The cold persisted but as we progressed added to the exhilaration of a winter's morning ride to provide excellent riding conditions, while the rain kept away. We rode northward through Bazra, at the eastern entrance of Bnei Zion into the pardeysim, coming out on Road 551, then further north to the Tel Izhak Reserve, where we had intended to make a right around the lake and up the steepish hill to the the Neve Hadassa Institute, but one look at the water-logged track ahead was enough to dictate a change of plan! Then it was down to the railway line, and up to Road 553, across the line and south, again intending to ride alongside the Poleg River towards Udim, but again (for the same muddy reasons) this was not to be.... But we did not escape, not even with a ride along the railway line - and we duly met our muddy "Water"loo just east of Yakum (you would have been in your element John!). Adrian's pictures tell the story. After that it was a case of "discretion being the better part of valour" and with grateful thanks to Mr John Loudon McAdam we made our mud-free way to the Drago Grill for refreshments, then back to Ra'anana - and as always, and despite the mud, "just great to be out there", excellent company, plenty of fun and a bit of exercise.
Ride Report - 06 January 2007: First ride of the New Year - by Ted
The optimists rode and won and the pessimists stayed in a warm bed…..and also won 9 riders started off……the rest is history…..unrecorded ….why only eight returned. We saw lots of mud but did not ride through one gram of the sticky stuff. Look mum, no rain…….and even some sunshine. We visited Gofferman and it was yummy!!!!! BBBBBBBRRRRRRRRR…it was a cold start engine morning. Fewer cars on the roads and less riders then usual…….those forbidding clouds I guess?! We rode through Rishpon to Arsuf, past the nature reserve, the golf course and back along the highway south on the western side. We rode under the bridge to Gofferman for superb repast, coffee and atmosphere, small group permitting. A strong cold wind persisted from the south and made the return stretch more challenging. And lastly, apart from Dina, no Anglos rode, only Sabras and Vasheck…….is there a meaning??? Question: (are Anglos the pessimists?)