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On The Trail - Archives for June 2007
Ride Report - Nahal Alexdander - 30 June 2007 - by David
2007_06_30 Nahal Alexander
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Ride report - 23  June 2007- by John
Ride 23.06.07
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Fifteen riders, including one new rider, Tzilla, from Ramat Hasharon were at the meeting point bright and early. Welcome Tzilla and we hope that you enjoyed your first experience with Cyclenix and that we will see you often in the future. We decided to start our rides at 7am instead of the usual 7.30am to try and avoid the heat, but, believe me, by the time we set off shortly after 7am, the heat was upon us.........Yes, Summer was here with a vengeance! We set of West along Ahuza Street and crossed Derech Yerushalaim and onto the sand track to the South of the Ra'anana Park. Here we had our first taste of the sand, only a sample of what was to come!!! We skirted the Northern side of the Herzliya Airport, turned South to the road to Herzliya Pituach, then North at Rehov Wingate and the on to "Dina's route", a trail discovered by Dinah on one of her midweek lone rides. Then the sandy tracks began....real soft, thick sand which made the going very tough. All of us at one stage or another had no alternative but to dismount and trudge through the thick sand pushing our bikes. Eventually we stopped for a break on the top of the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.......the breeze was a blessed relief and the views were magnificent. We then plodded on Northwards .....more thick sand!!! Eventually we made it to Cafe Buono (our first visit there for some time) where we stopped for some light refreshment. After a welcome break, we set off back to Ra'anana. As we entered the area of the new football fields in Lev HaPark, Ra'anana, we stopped and were entertained by a few guys racing their model buggies along a laid out track built especially for these enthusiasts, who are there every Saturday. The highlight of this entertainment was Ingide's commentary on the race we were watching!!! Well done Ingride! And so, another enjoyable ride with delightful company had come to an end. One thing that we can be sure of is that this ride was harder than normal and we certainly had a very good workout and burnt many more calories than we usually do!
Ride report - 16 June 2007- Ben Shemen Forrest - by Craig
Ride 16.06.07
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Early Shabbat morning, with the night's skies still ambivalent whether to stay night are permit the dawn, a long convoy of biking enthusiasts set off for the Ben Shemen forests.  By the time the convoy arrived there were strong rumblings of discontent as word spread that the ride would begin 45 minutes later.  Thus, when Herzl arrived, the man who had so generously agreed to lead the ride, he was greeted by some impatient faces.  Undaunted, his gentle, optimistic demeanor prevailed as 22 riders set off for the first of a series of single tracks.  By the time the second single was finished the demeanor of the group had noticeably changed as riders' faces showed with the excitement of the challenge.  We then departed for the lengthier portion of the ride punctuated by periodic stops as Herzl explained both the history of sites and identity of plants predominant in the area.  At one point, I personally enjoyed meeting the botzin mefuratz, a plant which resembles the Menorah (Chanukia) used during Chanukah and which may have been it's model, according to Herzl, our guide.  Shortly thereafter, Herzl introduced us to the Tsalaf Kotzani, which he explained has pods which are pickled and eaten by many in the area.  In fact, the pod has become the symbol for Ben Shemen forest as Herzl explained. The combination of education along with beautiful scenic routes brought a real sense of joy to the riders.  We all bounded up hills and around dusty paths with the wooded and hilly views greeting us along the way. The only real negative arose when the group encountered a struggling fox who's leg had been caught in a fence.  A number of participants united in an attempt to free the wounded animal.  Although the wounded fox's prospects were poor I was proud to be part of a group which demonstrated its humanity toward the struggling creature. Towards the end of the ride, Herzl surprised us all with a cold, sweet watermelon, which definitely hit the spot.  Finally, we were treated in the end to another series of more challenging single tracks which left us smiling.  Cyclenix owes a huge thank you to Herzl Ushah for making our ride in the Ben Shemen forest a tremendously enjoyable and educational experience.

דוח נסיעה  - 9 יוני 2007 - שבת ראשונה לפי שעון הקיץ.  -   שמואליק

Ride 09.06.07
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התחלנו ב7 בבוקר ואולי עקב השעה המוקדמת רבים לא באו והיינו רק 18 איש בתחילה. בלטו בהעדרם עמודי התווך כמו אבית דויד [המוסך הנייד] ואינגרד, איציק ומובן אודי . מאידך היו לנו אורחים כמו אח של הילטון שהגיע במיוחד מאנגליה לספוג שמש ישראלית. פנינו היו למזרח. שעה מוקדמת ללא הרבה תחבורה על הכביש שעטנו לכוון סיבוב רעננה המשטרה וכביש 531 עד לכביש 40 שהביא אותנו למושב אלישמע. דרך זו על עורק תחבורה ראשי הכעיסה מאד את ג'ון: 8 ק"מ על אספלט לא בא בחשבון! מאלישמע רכבנו בעקבות שאול שלמרות מצב הברך הראה כושר רכיבה מצוין ואופיני לו. המשכנו כרגיל לאורך הירקון כאשר דניאל בראש התור קובע קצה מהיר וטוב ללא עצירות מיותרות. בצומת כביש 40 ליד נוה נאמן כולם התגעגעו הביתה והוחלט לרכב היישר לרעננה בדרך הראשית.  הפעם הגענו מוקדם לאחסן את האופניים ולהכינם לרכיבה ביער בן שמן בשבת הקרובה.



Ride report - 2 June 2007 - An uneventful ride! -by Tedina
Ride 02.06.07
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There’s not much to report about rides that are uneventful except to label them as "uneventful". …now all you wise guys, work that one out or read on. But the ride had almost twenty riders and the weather was fine. And then, we did cover some 30 kms. So, one thinks the sand is becoming a real problem and this ride was no exception. But then again it is to be expected in summer and we are stronger riders then in the past so sand is less of a problem or is it???? And we did see more of those spectacular riders on their mighty Harleys at Yakum…..!!!  And the breakfast stop, our latest discovery at Arsuf, is a place that has much going for it….location, location, location!!!!  We naughtily also trespassed on private property despite a warning sign ….not good for our reputation?? But what about the mystery…..did Michele have a puncture or not….wait for the next ride to find the answer!!!! By the way, the route we took???  Who cares as long as we have some events and good company…..something you can always get on Cyclenix rides. OK wise guys, you win. It was like all our rides in fact, eventful. Next week we start at 07.00 …. Now that is an event!!!