It's been a hard day's ride, and we've been slogging through the sand
it's been a hard day's ride, And our muscles are feeling sa-a-ad
but when we get back to you and drink the coffee so good
We will feel alright
Participants: Cyclenix rides in the Zichron area are synonymous with the name Joseph Kowen. Following a tradition set by Michal in 2 previous ride reports of a Biblical comparison, this time 10 of our Joseph’s “brothers” and 2 of his “sisters” (not sure his sisters featured in the Biblical text, but they certainly did on today’s ride) were his followers!
Route: Its not clear whether the Biblical Joseph was able to keep accurate records of his wanderings but our Joseph’s route was well documented - map, time, speed, distance, elevation gain, kcals, and more. See the map and gps data in Google Photos Album.
Riding Conditions: Neither of the Josephs could have dreamed such ideal riding weather - today was an oasis of cool amid a string of hot days over the past few weeks.
Bottom Line: This is the fourth time Joseph has been our “Guest Leader”. I doubt there is a track in the Zichron area not known to him and each ride has had its variations and new challenges. An elevation gain of 335m over 23 km tells you that this was no stroll in the park! Thanks Joseph for a great ride - and we look forward to number five!
Mission: keep a secret post-ride event info from leaking into John's ears.
Purpose: celebrate the old snake catchers 80th birthday celebrations with a party.
Tactics: a short enough ride to have the group back in Ra'anana before 10.00
Maneuver: spread false info about a coffee stop after the ride. Lull the victim into a state of oblivion
Conditions: warm but breezy with sunshine
Ops Director: D. Lewis
Photographer: Tracey
Host command HQ: Barbara and Benny
Strategy: Lose some of the group to waste time
Mission Control: Michal
Casualties: Anna but making quick recovery (made it to the event)
Mission Analysis: Accomplished... old snake catcher Cohen in state of shock
Treatment: Lots of fun and food with families... his own and Cyclenix mob
Presentations: PP, various contributors and Barbara
Mission 80-100% success. This is a coded message!
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A relatively small group (around 13) gathered in the parking lot at Hod Hasharon - I think most were scared off by the thought of another day hot enough to fry an egg... As it happened, it was a lovely day - breezy and even a little overcast at times.
The amount of sand has increased - a sure sign that summer is here. So we did spend a bit of time negotiating the sandy patches by foot, or those that exerted themselves, on wheels. What we did pick up along the way was a young rider. Shortly after we started, a young blonde boy kind of attached himself to us (brought the average age down somewhat) - no helmet and no water. But being the kind lot we are, I saw him scoffing a sandwich and offered lots to drink. When we started giving advice on wearing a helmet and bringing water, his eyes rolled in his head... Well, he did try to contact his mother and eventually she called. I guess she thought it was safe to be with the 50+++ lot... so we feel like we kidnapped him.
Our route was part of the Yarkon going East and then veering West - here and there some new stretches for us. The most Westerly point was close to the Ayalon Mall and we did a lovely stretch through the park. Yuval (our new attachment) kept right up there in the front. By the time we got back (most going to Maui to refuel) we had covered around 28 km with a variety of leaders. So thanks to all - a lovely ride .... and yes, we let Yuval go (probably much to his mothers' delight???).
Participants: 21 riders which included new rider Ralph. We hope you enjoyed the ride and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Route: From Ra'anana down to the coast with a stop on the cliffs at Arsouf - northwards via Kibbutz G'ash up to the south boundary of the Wingate Institute - over the Coastal Road at Yakum and back to Ra’anana via Benei Zion and Batzra. Total distance 31.5 km
Riding Conditions: Some patches of sand but for the most part good riding surfaces. Weatherwise - sunny skies and and moderate temperatures, but peaking up a bit towards the end. Both sand and temperatures a reminder that Summer has arrived with more of both to come!
Bottom Line: An enjoyable ride, the usual excellent company but which unfortunately couldn’t be following through at our customary after-ride coffee stop. On arrival at Landwer (our preferred destination over many years and which now appears to be under different management) we were told in a rather "unfriendly" way that our bikes were not welcome! Bye-bye Landwer.
21 riders met bright and early (ok, maybe more bright than early it was after all 7:30am) last Saturday the 11th of May in Hod Hasharon and headed towards the Yarkon.
We were promised shady paths and lush foliage – but first, a short detour, involving some sand, definitely some refuse and a some not so polite under breath swearing, up the scenic Rubbish Mountain (Har Hazevel), overlooking the newly established water reclamation ponds. It was so clear we could see Ramat Gan et al.
As we headed west, into the green of the Yarkon, we came across a large organized walk – complete with families, prams, the occasional horse and dog as well as a good few of social cyclists. Fortunately, as we were a large sized group, our average speed allowed for safe stopping well before moving obstacles in our path.
A short stop at Lily Pads allowed us to regroup before starting our return back for much anticipated coffee. As we neared the outskirts of Hod Hasharon, the group split into three – those very eager for coffee bolted off to locate a table, a few others headed back towards Kfar Saba and Uri led the remainder 8 back (through the brambles) to Hod Hasharon and the promise of coffee.
After some hemming and hawing, coffee was found Maui Café – which with an excellent range of beer on tap, coffee both hot and cold and some pretty good looking food and of course, company was a great way to end off the morning.
Big thanks to Dave, Uri and Ted for great leading/sweeping and to Shaiker and Ariyah for finding us an alternative to the super busy Aroma. If I have left anyone out, apologies :)
A large crowd - around 27 of us - gathered to set off in the direction of Bnei Dror. We covered 25 km with ups and downs and some sand to remind us that summer is on it's way. Even though the sun is high, there is still a lot of green about - but not for much longer, I reckon.
It was a route we haven't done in a while and was thoroughly enjoyable - not too many stops and David managed to keep us all on track ... We skirted Tel Yitschak as our northern point and then made our way back mostly along the rail track.
Part of the group stopped off at Arcaffe where John met us to replenish the fuel tanks...
So, if Porgy and Bess are listening:
Summertime, and the sand is easy
bikes are jumping and the spirit is high
Oh, David is leading and the rest are looking
So come, cycle nixers, come on by
Participants: 13 which included Rami and Orit who joined us for the first time. Welcome
and we look forward to having you ride with us again soon.
Route: From Ein Carmel south inland to Dor / Nachsholim via Habonim, and back
north along the coast until Habonim, then inland again, past the para-diving airstrip and back
over the Coastal Road to Ein Carmel. Approximately 24 km.
Riding Conditions: Overcast, pleasantly warm with variable light winds; and an almost
completely mud-free trail. In fact near perfect riding conditions.
Bottom Line: This ride never disappoints! It has all the ingredients of an gentle,
cardiac-friendly biking experience, added to which riding in a region steeped in history,
antiquity (thank you Ted for your informed explanations) and a spectacular coastline (I would
think one of the most beautiful and scenic sections of our entire coast). Added to which the
entertainment spectacle of fearless para-divers dropping out of the sky.
After-Ride: 7 of us made our way to the Zicron Mall to for refreshments. However Aroma
was full, Greg's was closed so we opted for "Japanese"- and for me at least a pleasant
change from a diet, over the past seven day, of more than enough matzo, some bitter herbs
and an abundance of kleidlach soup!
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| Wheels of Hope April 13, 2019 |
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| Home Patch April 13, 2019 |
It is now five years that Cyclenix has been doing the off road route of the annual "Wheels of Hope".
This year the group registration has grown and 15 Cyclenixers donated to the worthy cause.
At the last minute Rafi could not come due to a caught back. We hope you have a fast and full recovery.
At the very last minute Anna learned the hard tail way that the lack of regular maintenance for you bike will cost you your pension and suspension.
So while she couldn't fix her bike at the event, she rented a hard tail so she wouldn't have to skip the ride.
We wish your bike a speedy recovery and hope it wont be painful on your pocket.
We started off 13, since the bike rental took a while. Completely confident that Anna will always find and catch up with us.
Spread out in the crowd we rode in smaller groups and every so on stopped for a head count.
I personally had the joy of a very easygoing ride turn to challenge, chasing after Yoavi and Itay.
Ted, I need to thank you for bringing Itay. While he kept Yoavi company I only had to ride... though at a higher heart rate and interval workout that the ride would usually demand, but I think all three of us enjoyed it.
The route was not hard and does seem to change from year to year but the organization did miss one small water spot that challenged us all.
Some rode through the knee high water, some took off their shoes and walked and some just walked it.
We got to enjoy a front wind for the last 10 kilometers of the ride.
The wind slowed us all down and got us a bit winded.
At this point i was helping Yoavi a bit and while passing an Etgarim rider and volunteer who was pushing him i felt it would be a good educational moment.
I told him that he has two legs, two arms, a fully functioning body and brain and it is hard for him at the moment. Look at this rider that though he was challenged both physically and mentally and riding a very special bike that weighs a ton he is still pushing through.
Riding with Etgarim definitely gives you a different perspective.
We finished the ride a bit later than we expected but made it to Landwer for our breakfast stop.
32 kilometers, a great ride with an awesome group is just a perfect way to enjoy our day off.
Thank you all for donating to the Etgarim organization!
Home sweet home!
After a long absence due to being challenged, i am finally back home!
Quite psyched up for the easygoing home patch ride with Cyclenix where everybody knows my name and they’re always glad i came.
I should be flattered that the moment i got out of my car about 12 people approached me... though it was to pay for the wheels of hope registration i will still take it as a compliment.
Talia like a peacock with its feathers all spread out is still parading her new Liv!
Talia may you ride it well and happily on good safe journeys!
We headed out soaring on Keren Hayesod out of Raanana. David in attempts to make sure i don’t freeze chose the up hill path. John had a couple four letter words about it. We rode happily heading south towards Tel Yizhak with a couple of fun inclines. Or as i was told “fun for some people”.
So it hasn't rained for almost a week and somehow that doesn’t mean that the route was dry. Nope! Mud mud mud... some puddles were easy to maneuver others not so much. In my desperate attempts to keep my bike clean it seems like the laws of Murphy are just too powerful!
We had a lovely view stop looking at the hidden pond which is quite larger and not so hidden as usual, due to the blessed rains.
Merrill and a couple more whooshed off ahead to get to Landwer as we originally planned.
On the wrong side of the tracks we headed back changing our plans and leading us to Arcafe, where we enjoyed a nice breakfast and a really slight drizzle.
We were approximately 20+ Cyclenixers and enjoyed 30 km’s on yet another lovely shabbat morning on our bikes.
And on a personal note it sure is great being back home!
To All Cyclenix Members May 28, 2019
An Important Message:
All of us are aware of the devastating fires that swept across many areas of Israel over the past week. Amongst the areas damaged or destroyed are are...
CLICK HERE for the whole story
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Over time was involved in a variety of sports :
The Cyclenix Group My Away-Away biking history:
My bikes history:
My Happy hobby: |
If you have any questions or want to get in touch for any reason, feel free to get in touch with David or John:
Email: jcandy@inter.net.il
David: 054-474-1424
John: 050-942-2788
New riders always welcome to join us.
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