Ride Report - Sat. May 18, 2019 - Home Patch Ride -  By David

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.
Advance Notice: From June 1 our local rides will start at 7.00 am

Ride Report - Sat. May 11, 2019 - Cyclenix Vs the Yarkon -  By Talia Feigenbaum

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 :)

Ride Report - Sat. April 27, 2019 - Lead on... -  By Frances

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

Ride Report - Sat. April 27, 2019 - Ein Carmel - Nachsholim/Dor -  By David

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!

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