Ride Report - Sat. April 13, 2019 - Wheels of Hope 2019 -  By Michal

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!

Ride Report - Sat. April 6, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Michal

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!

Ride Report - Sat. March 30, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Ted

Pessimism is nothing to be ashamed of.

It's a defense mechanism designed to make us take safety measures. On a statistical basis Cyclenix members are rather cautious or in other words tend to be pessimists. That is, if to go by Saturdays turnout.

Only eight optimists assembled at the launch pad fully geared and expecting the heavens to open up. Well, I can confirm without fear of proof to the contrary that the rains did not come. And even though we shortened the ride in anticipation of being caught by the opening heavens we were a mite disappointed that we did not ride further (some pessimism there).

We did ride to the south and on the return reached the border of Ramat Hasharon but surprisingly it turned out to be of elegant sufficiency and we did not dwell too much on what we had missed as we sat down for a refreshing breakfast session at Arcafe. A strong wind prevailed but on the way home provided us with added momentum.

Apart from the weather, the topic of the day was TALYA..who finally took the plunge and introduced us too her spanking brand new bike, another Giant. A giant pedal for Talya and a faster pace for Cyclenix riders. Yes folks, she burnt up the tyres despite some gear change issues with her new Ferrari. Lots of advice to Talya kept her on her toes or should I say pedals. Nice bike and pretty colour schemes. What more can a girl ask for??

Thanks David for seeking new pastures and providing perfect riding conditions. And yes, had we kept riding till 6PM the rain would have eventuated. Better luck next time.!!!!!!!!!!!

Ride Report - Sat. March 23, 2019 - Away Ride - Netanya -  By Frances

NORTHWARDS

Ride Report - Sat. March 9, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Talia F.

Spring has arrived! A sunny Saturday morning saw 20 riders start out for a local jaunt.

Along the way there was excellent use made of the kids’ bike track in Kfar Shmaryahu, scavenging for mosaic shards and a detour around Shefayim, shortcutting to the coastline.

Some riders headed back a little early and the rest of the group continued onwards - past an unusual sighting of a large group of motor bikers in all their spring glory (matching black leathers).

While we successfully avoided the large mud puddles in Yaqum - thanks to some intrepid navigation by Rafi. The puddles, were not to be missed entirely and we met up with the mud getting back into Ra’aanana.

Many thanks to David for leading us along for a very enjoyable 33km!

Ride Report - Sat. March 2, 2019 - Singing in the Rain -  By Frances

Eleven stalwarts gathered under grey skies to try our luck at beating the rain in a short ride. We avoided mud, found a magnificent view of green sea and grey sky and then had to sing in the rain all the way home ... to Arcaffe, where we dripped and drank.

We rode mostly along the road but ventured into a little bit of mud along the Herzeliya airport but luckily it was a short stretch. We headed past Appolonia and admired the view at Sidna Ali. The grey was coming and while standing there the clouds spat out a few drops. We cycled with renewed vigour - some stopped off at the Sharona hotel and waited it out while the rest made our way home. Four of us stopped at Arcaffe and enjoyed some very warming coffee and the like....

20.73 km in 1 hour and 55 minutes. It was a great, invigorating ride despite singing in the rain....

We're singin' in the rain
Just singin' in the rain
What a glorious feeling
We're cycling again

Ride Report - Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 - Ride in the South - Dorot -  By Ted

(Editors' Note: this will be the 400th ride report added to this site. Well done everyone!)

It was freezing when we arrived at the launch pad at Dorot... a mere 9deg but the sun was caressing us with warmth and by the time we set off with a slight delay our cockles and other parts were tending to hot. We were apprx 15 (I did not count) riders led by Uri with David happily settled mid -way with the group stretching for almost a kilometer at times. Some of the meeker riders were phased out by the long and winding narrow singles so the pace was slower than usual. Massive quantities of spring flowering by a multitude of colourful varieties blanketed the area and many species of tress frowned down as we veered in and out and up and down the narrow treks. At times the trail was a minute 20 cms wide with undergrowth on either side reaching almost two meters. Rolling hills and dried wadis, open lands and bushy forests provided a potpourri of landscapes. Warm air and slight patchy clouds... what more could we ask for?

After Lucia's fall we nursed her along and she finished the ride (as did we all) despite pains and aches. Well done Lucia!! Hope you are better too.

A token of gratitude to Uri who guided us perfectly with directions provided by David . Uri is slowly taking over David's mantle. Good for you both.

Ride Report - Sat. Feb. 2, 2019 - Local Ride -  By David

Participants: 18 riders braved a cold morning (but with the promise of warming and lots of sunshine later)

Route: Anna led us down to the coast and southwards. See the Google Earth image in our Google Photos Album of the ride. Although we have done this route so many times Anna managed to produce a “first” by taking us from the cliffs overlooking the sea south of Herzliya right down to the beach for a 1 km ride along the water’s edge, and then back up again to the cliffs. Well done!

Riding Conditions: The weatherman kept his promise of a sunny day - in fact perfect riding conditions - with an extra “no mud” bonus.

Reminder: Some of us seem to have forgotten the principle of “follow your leader”. Its worthwhile, unless you want to end up spread out across the length and breath of Central Israel (a slight exaggeration, for the sake of emphasis!!!). There’s an inconvenience element as well - for those who do follow...

Bottom Line: A most enjoyable ride - thank you Anna!

Ride Report - Sat. Jan. 26, 2019 - Burma Road - Hapsalim -  By Anna Sheffer

The day started for me at ten to seven when my bike was packed into Rafi's car and we were off to Uria.

At Uria we met up with another seven bold rides ready for the adventure (Burma Road and Trail of sculptures)

The nine of us were Uri, Yael, Sheike, Arie, Richard, Sami, Leon, Rafi and I. Our appointed leader, Uri, was armed with the map from David. Just in case Rafi put the map on his phone as well.

The weather was great for riding with clear view. We started with a climb that never ended. Even though at some parts we descended, but it meant more climbing afterwards that some of us did on foot. The scenery was beautiful, very green, with spots of yellow, red and purple flowers. We didn't miss any turns as we had "corner people" to guide the "late comers". I'm sure Leon hade a great time though sometimes he asked wondering if we know where we are. Collectively we climbed about 500m, did 23km and went home tired but very happy with what we achieved.

At one point I almost lost my back wheel, so I better visit Asher to deal with it that it shouldn't happen again.

I must tell that it was a wonderful feeling that David called, thinking of us, "the lost children" riding in the wilderness.

Many thanks to Uri for guiding us on this ride, Well done!

Ride Report - Sat. Jan. 12, 2019 - Gvar'am Ride -  By Sami Heinhorn

היום השתתפתי ביחד עם עוד 7 חברים באתר הסינגלים הכי נחמדים שעשיתי.
נפגשנו ליד יער האקליפטוסים סמוך לקיבוץ גברעם ,יחד עם מספר די גדול של רוכבים, כאשר כל קבוצה בחרה את המסלול שלה.
הרכיבה בוצעה בשבילים צרים ומפותלים עם עליות וירידות צמודות שחייבו את הרוכבים לשנות הילוכים כל רגע בכדי לעלות ולרדת לפי צורת הדרך.
יש לציין שהשביל היה מסומן באדום-סימן המראה את דרגת קושי המסלול.
הרכיבה בוצעה בתוך היער וגם בנוף פתוח ירוק שבו כלניות בצבצו במספר מקומות אשר יחד יצרו נוף פסטורלי יפה.
סיימנו את הרכיבה במסעדת נחמדה ליד שדרות.