Report-1

Ride Report 1 September 2001 - We had a small turnout today. Only nine started and just as we reached the off road section Shaul's chain broke and bade us farewell. Ted was a non starter as he found his bike with TWO, yes two flat tyres, both tubes beyond repair and only one spare!!! The ride was very enjoyable and we welcomed two new riders to our ranks and picked up Hadas on the way while breakfasting at Yakum. To Orna and Ronnie, welcome to the "club". It was nice having you both with us and we hope that you enjoyed the ride and that we'll see you again. To Hadas, welcome back from your two months in the USA. Nice to see you again.

Ride report 15^th September - The Green Wheelers and Cyclenix
Once again we had a good turn out for our “away” ride in the Jerusalem Hills. Today we had 28 riders. We started off in Eshtaol and rode up through the Matyrs Forrest. Our first stop after about 3 kilometers of riding was at the Bnei Brith Caves. We rested for a while allowing people to catch their breath after the first small climb of the day. We continued climbing towards Ein Limon, an ancient Roman water reservoir. Everyone was asking when the promised uphill would begin. They didn’t have long to wait! After a short rest at Ein Limon we turned right with the Israel trail to the real climb of the day. The beginning was rocky and full of lose gravel – impossible to ride. Well done to Jamey who rode the whole climb after the first section. For the rest of us, we had a long grinding walk up the hill to Tzuba. The only saving grace was the view of the Arab village of Ein Rafa in the valley below. When we got to Tzuba everyone though that was the end of the climbing. They were wrong!! Another 3 kilometers of climbing brought us to the peak of Tel Tzuva where we explored the ruins of the Crusader Castle end enjoyed spectacular views towards Ein Kerem and Kastel in Jerusalem. Well, after 17 kilometers of climbing, it should all be down hill from here! Not exactly! We rode for a short while on the road meeting up with the downhill trail, passed the settlement of Givat Ya’arim. We started off with a wild, and sometimes scary downhill. At the bottom there were one or two small climbs which were mentally quite difficult – everyone had geared themselves mentally for a down hill ride. We then had the last decent back to the Bnei Brith caves and then back to the cars at Eshatol. Everyone made it back safely to the cars despite the fact that Arthur had a fall on the descent. Check out the Pictures of the ride in the Jerusalem Hills Gallery

The following note was sent in by James Margolis;
I wish to thank your entire group for the wonderful ride that we had yesterday. After a week of calling friends and relatives in New York to check that they were okay, and now the worry that this is probably only the beginning of a long drawn out battle, to be among such fine people was in many ways inspiring and cathartic. In various conversations that I had with people, I was in awe at their insight into the events that transpired and ability to look at the deeper meanings of this unworldly event. Pardon the fact that I never remember names, but the one women whom I spoke with conveyed to me her desire to give blood and donate money. I will try to get that information out to your group if they are so interested. I for one, feel that America has given so much to the world and Israel and should be remembered in such a time.

It is the power of riding with large groups (at times) that inspires. Yes I love to go off on my own and pound the hills, but I am finding that I also need to slow down my pace and talk a little more on my rides. I am thankful to you Ronnie and John for facilitating such wonderful rides as they important. I can't think of anything more spiritual than being out in nature on a bike. I know this sounds corny, but personally I have a deeper sense of self and of the world around me when I feel my tires crunching (and going flat twice this weekend) over dirt.
Shana Tova

After our ride last Saturday (15th Sept.) this one was tame!! Our turnout consisted of the stalwarts of CYCLENIX.......David and Ingrid, Hylton, Ted and Dina, Shaul, Jack, and yours truly. We may not have had the quantity but we sure had the QUALITY!!! That's what our rides are all about..............GOOD COMPANY, FUN and KEEPING HEALTHY!!! The route that was taken was the well-worn route from Ra'anana to the Herzliya Marina but then we departed from the norm after we heard on the radio that there was a demonstration of cyclists in progress traveling South along the Coastal Road. The demonstration followed the tragic death last Saturday of two cyclists killed near GAASH. We joined up with the demonstrators at the tail end of the demonstration which appeared to have been very well organized except for the publicity. I am sure that better publicity would have resulted in a much bigger turnout. 350 bikers took part and there was a police escort and every time time they stopped all the cars on the highway those drivers became aware that there were such things as Bikers who use the roads. Each and every cyclist should make it HIS or HER business to encourage biking, observe the rules of the road, wear a helmet whenever one is on one's bike, and last but not least impress upon all other bikers (family and friends alike) to do the same. To those of you that fast, tsom kal and once again, have a good year. Watch our site for details of future rides (Candy's Forum) and read your e-mails if you're registered as a member

Ride report.Saturday 29th September.
Well, the first ride of the year was enjoyable and we welcomed for the first time Mark Blumberg who at last joined us after being on our list for months!!! Better late than never! He also did us the honor of having TWO punctures but, very considerately, he had them at the same place but on both wheels!!! We had 10 riders and traveled one of our usual routes North to Yakum, "breakfast" at the Yakum service station, and then a slightly different route back. The variation was a nice change.

Ride Report Saturday 6 October 2001
We welcomed two new members, Rochelle Singer and Joel Gordin. Hope to see lots of them in the future. We rode east from Ra’anana, turning south at Rehov Kazan and then through Givat Chen and some Moshavim to the east of Givat Chen where we rod past the "new" park in Hod Hasharon and then onto the road between Hod Hashoron and Petach Tikva, making a left to Newe Yaraq. After riding through the fields of Newe Yaraq towards Tsmet Kassim we made a right past the new Rosh HaAyin Railway Station, skirting the Park Leumi ( a nice bit of off-road riding) and onto the area where our favorite Saturday “Shuk” comes to life. Rochelle and I couldn't resist the peanut field just before the Shuk while the rest of the gang went through the shuk and discovered this "high class restaurant"! Fortunately they allowed us in despite the informality of our attire!!!I have to admit it was a little different from our usual breakfast stops! David and Rochelle did business at the Shuk where they purchased two expensive high quality walkman radios and then it was "back home" via the Petach Tikva - Hod Hasharon -Raanana rou

This time we broke some new ground. Sixteen riders started off from Reading in Tel Aviv and we travelled North along the promenade, through the port of Jaffe where the usual Saturday stalls had been set up and the fishermen were busy shouting their "bargain prices". After pushing or carrying our bikes up a rather wide, rough and steep stone stairway we made our way through Jaffe to Bat Yam where Ingride had her usual swim!!! Then, it was (and this was breaking new ground for us) onto Rishon Lezion. At the Rishon beach we found a "Five Star" restaurant otherwise known as a small beach cafe where we enjoyed a variety of different foods and then it was back to the starting point via the center of Bat Yam. Although most of the ride was "on road" I think that those who attended enjoyed the ride.

From our usual start in Ra'anana we set of for the Herzilea Marina to drool over the International fleet that was assembled for a race to Cypress. Joy of joys it started to rain - the first in seven months we immediately over reacted and (anticipating a down pour) dived into the marina restaurant for cover and breakfast. Well the rain (five or six drops) decided to stop and the sun came out before our coffee was on the table so back via Rishpon for a total of 28.5km.

Ride report 3rd November 2001 by Hylton Sher
Well, what goes 'round comes 'round, (no pun intended) and once again our riding group, the Cyclenix participated in the annual round the Kinneret Ride.

Most of us arrived on Friday afternoon in Tiberias and stayed at numerous venues in the city. Ours was the Meyouhas Youth Hostel and Guest House, which turned out to be an excellent choice, and one we shall definitely recommend to anyone looking for hospitable and reasonably priced accommodations. Yussef and Eli our two people at reception were very warm and welcoming and even arranged to provide the riders in our group with a packed breakfast for our 6.15am start.

On the Friday late afternoon, Jack decided to "test" his bike with the new Hybrid tires and managed to fall off while attempting to mount the pavement. It looked all over for Jack before it had even started, but to the rescue ( and not for the only time that weekend ) came John "Candy" Cohen. A practicing Shiatsu Guru, he did a "number" on Jack who later said he felt like a "spring chicken" again!!! We all went out to have Fish dinner down by the waterfront and then off to bed for the 5.15am wake up call.

Saturday morning, and bleary eyed, we set off for the start at Tzemach junction. Registration, "official" photos and videos of the Cyclenix and we were off. Needless to say, Jack, who only the night before was considered a "gonner" by the rest of us, took off like a bat out of you know what, and none of us saw him until we arrived at the finish. He by the way, had completed the ride in what he says was two hours and fourty five minutes, identical to my time two years previously. John, I and the other members of the Cyclenix "team" completed the 68Km at a more sedately pace. John, as mentioned earlier, came to the rescue of two group members who developed punctures en route, with yours truly providing the moral support. John has now been officially voted "Chief Pomper and Puncture Macher" for the group. Dina unfortunately had an accident, injuring her knee, but although Ted, her husband, who had finished earlier, went out on a mission of mercy to collect her and drive her to the finish, she insisted on doing it under her own steam. Kol Hakavod!!

So, another Round the Kinneret under our belts. For those who participated, I hope you had a good time, and are looking forward to next year. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you as usual on our weekly Saturday outings.

Ride report 10 November 2001
The weather was ideal, not too hot and not too cold when 10 of us set off from the Raanana starting point on our weekly ride. We welcomed two new riders, Lori and Egon, and it was great having them along. Our route took us through the Raanana Industrial area, Batzra and then we turned East before the beginning of the long climb at Bnei Tzion. We found a new highway under construction East of the Sharon Prison and it took us to the small airstrip used by those brave or crazy people who sit in their three wheeler buggies suspended under a parachute by very thin looking pieces of string!!!! Then it was West again, passed the "Russian fishing lake", South towards the level crossing near the Yaqum airfield, on to the Kibbutz Yaqum and breakfast at the Yaqum Service station and back home through Rishpon.

17th November is the 7th Annual Dead Sea MTB race.
The four categories are:
42km – trained and experienced riders – start 9.00am - cost 85NIS
21km – trained riders – start 10.30am - cost 85NIS
14km – easy and interesting – start 10.45am – cost 40NIS
10km – children’s race.

Ride report 17 November 2001. Am Israel Ride (òí éùøàì øééã)
7^th Dead Sea Cross Country Bike Race – Mt. Sdom (17/11/2001)

This is it. The happening of the year. If you participate in only one race in your life, just for the experience, this is it. In a nutshell – well organized, challenging, a spectacle and most important, incredible fun.

Myself, Pablo and Guy left Tel Aviv at around three on Friday afternoon. We arrived at the shores of the Dead Sea at around 6pm. Having already pre-registered for the race via the Internet, we arrived at the Tamar Local Council to pick up our numbers. We received an envelope containing a sign with our numbers (and plastic azikonim to attach them to the bike), key-ring and t-shirt. After consulting with the organizers we decided to change from the Ammami Trail to the Sport trail. Unfortunately registration was already closed so we would have to do it “unofficially”. We then drove a few minutes to the Neveh Zohar Beach. Camping was officially permitted for that night only due to the specific request of the race organizers. There were another 5-6 groups of bikers camping. We pitched our tents, ate dinner and then went to sleep under a clear star-filled sky. At around 3am I awoke to the sound of rain falling on our tent. The tents were waterproof so we didn’t get wet. I went back to sleep and awoke at around 7:30 on Saturday. The sun edged through the clouds and cast a golden glow on the sea. We ate a hearty breakfast, filled up our water bottles, packed our gear and drove a few kilometers to the race area.

In the middle of the Amiaz Plane, surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, a new “parking lot” was being “built”. It reminded me of the scene in the movie “Independence Day” when all the mobile homes gathered in the desert. Sadranim directed us to the parking area and by the time we had parked and unloaded our bikes, a whole new row of cars was already filled.

Each bike we saw was better than the last. I didn’t realize that so many Israeli’s spent so much money on good quality bikes. Full Suspension and Hard-tail, Marins, Treks, Cannondales, Scotts, Specializeds, Giants and Kleins, they were all there. The wide range of colors – between helmets, shirts and bikes was a kaleidoscope to the eye. There were also a number of riders with physical disabilities – I saw a guy with one and a half arms as well as a guy with two “hooks”, both riders connected to the bike in ingenious ways. Next to parking area was a huge tent under which “bicycle commerce” flourished. Everything from bikes to watches to tires to sunglasses and all the other stuff in between could be bought. Announcements called for the racers to come to the starting line, according to the pre-determined times. The Elite riders were off first at around 9:00.

By the time they completed one round of the track the Sport riders were ready. A huge mass of people stood behind the starting line, raring to go. At 10:30 they were let loose, and it sounded like a stampede. After a minute I dared to cross to the other side of the track and looking back all I could see was a thick line, moving slowly out of sight, with the wind blowing the dust away. If Am Israel had to leave Egypt again today, it would surely have been by mountain bike, and the scene unfolding would be identical to the spectacle I had just witnessed. Maybe we would have only wandered in the desert for twenty years. Next off were the under-14yr olds and finally the Ammami race was called. After a last check of our bikes we took our place amongst the masses. The start signal was given and we were off…

We slowly accelerated and begun overtaking people. The myriad of riders ranged from the very young on BMXs to Moms and Dads carrying their kids on the back seat (something I didn’t think was particularly safe under “race” conditions). We entered a wadi and things got a little crowded. Then the heavens opened up and the rain came pouring down. Within a few minutes the soft, powdery sand turned into wet, slippery, glorious mud. With the trail twisting and turning, going full speed, dodging other riders (especially those with back seats and young occupants), as well as trying to avoid slipping while braking to get round tight corners while trying to see through my mud splashed sun glasses I found that my senses and reflexes were heightened. It was one of the most challenging, nerve-racking and exciting few minutes I have had since I started serious mountain biking. We rode out of the wadi to a dry river bed.

The official Ammami trail went left and we continued right along the Sport trail. We rode through small rivers of muddy water. Suddenly we were met by riders coming back towards us. It seems the hill they were riding up had turned to mud and had decided to turn back. Seeing as though time was not important we decided to continue on. We walked up that hill and on reaching the top we overlooked the sea. We met an uncooperative official who said we should turn back. He said a jeep was doing the rounds and would pick up any riders who were lagging behind (we answered to that description). After a short argument we continued on, fugitives on the run from the law. A few minutes behind us there was an official rider and we thought that if we stayed ahead of him we would be safe. Determined not to be caught and brought back by a carnivorous jeep we pushed ourselves beyond our limit, only looking back to see if we were being followed. All this was taking place while going uphill. The wet mud was eroded by bicycle tires and hard, dry sand remained underneath.

After a while the gap between myself and Pablo and Guy widened and I decided to stop for a short rest, prepared to take my chances with the jeep at my heels. The official rider overtook me and after eating some dried fruit and drinking some isostar I continued on, looking over my shoulder to see were the hunters were. Rounding a corner I was shocked to see the official rider lying face down with his bike on top of him. After moving his bike and helping him up he discovered that he couldn’t move his leg. Another rider who I overtook caught up with us, and also exhausted he stayed behind with the injured guy and I continued on with instructions to send a jeep to pick him up. At this point I would just like to digress slightly and point out how well the race was well organized. Every few kilometers a jeep was waiting, with a crew of at least two, one of who was giving out bottled mineral water, while the other was picking up the empty bottles. Needless to say they had “walkie- talkies”. Also the track was well sign-posted, with between 1 to 3 arrows and the word danger denoting the degree of steepness of each ascent/descent. Some areas were cordoned off. In order to save you the suspense, after the race I saw the other rider who said they picked up the injured guy.

On with the story…The next kilometer or so consisted of ups and downs between one tributary and another. Imagine a steep rocky/sandy descent, followed by a rocky/pebbly covered riverbed and then an immediate steep climb and you’ll get the picture of what I am talking about. It was a very technical piece of riding, constantly changing gears and being unable to get into any kind of rhythm. This is the area where you find out just how skilled a mountain biker you really are. Finally I reached reasonably flat ground. I stopped at a jeep for a short drink and also to report the injured rider. Feeling re-energized I carried on, determined to make up some time. The trail was mostly a gradual downhill, with some boulders here and there. In the far distance I could see the encampment where it all started. Seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel I enjoyed my “glide” down the hill and back onto the Amiaz plane. Again dodging people from the Ammami trail I cruised to the finish line and finished the ride with my traditional slide.

I was tired but satisfied. It had taken me about 3 hours in all and I don’t know how the elite riders managed to do the trail twice. Pablo and Guy had arrived about 20 minutes before. In the tent I was handed a serving of yogurt and also my certificate. After passing on a short account of our respective journeys we loaded our bikes back on the car and returned to the beach where we had camped the previous night. I had a short swim in the Dead Sea – one way of restoring all the salts that left me during my ride. This was followed by a cold shower and lunch. We then drove back to Tel Aviv, arriving at around 7 in the evening. Most of our trip back was spent comparing notes and stories about the day’s events.

Just to give you an idea of the “professional” times: (Elite – 42 Km) 1^st place was about 1:59 hours (by a 15 year old) and the 2^nd place was won by the Austrian Champion, who arrived about 30 seconds later. (Sport – 21 Km) 1:01 hours. However, who cares. I took part in what is supposedly the biggest mountain biking event in Israel, one which compares favorably to races held overseas. How about that. It also has the distinction of being the lowest MTB race in the world. It was well planned and organized – a pleasant surprise indeed. The weather only served to make the race more interesting and challenging and therefore more fun. I am very happy I took part. Now I know what a real race is like - the terrain, times and challenges involved. I know that I am a pretty good rider, in full control of my bike and my body. Of course there is always room for improvement. I can’t wait till next year !!!