Ride Report - Sat. Aug. 17, 2019 - Yarkon Ride -  By Frances

17 gathered at the park in Hod Hasharon to set off on a shady, relaxed ride through the bamboo, ably led by Uri. The big advantage of this route is the shade - we hardly felt the heat...

The route is a lot "cleaner" than when I did it a couple of months ago. We passed the Baptist's village and along the way towards rosh Hayn, we bumped into a group. One asked me where we were going. Well, I hardly ever know where I am so I said I don't know - I am just following. I think he had a hard time believing me...

We covered 26 km on a partially circular route with enough sand to make us walk a bit (and for the enthusiasts to show their muscle power by wheeling through), whizzing through shady bamboo tunnels, and on to coffee etc. Oh, and welcome back Ingride!

Ride Report - Sat. Aug. 10, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Michal

As usual after updating David, i arrived a couple minutes late so i didn’t get a head count as to how many cyclenixers pitched up to my party... i mean todays home patch ride.

We weren’t a few or neither too many.

Via Herzelia airport and park we headed towards the beach. The ride had a nice flow to it and felt light and breezy. The fact that the weather gave us a break from typical August and its usual boiling point with 99% humidity, added to the breezy factor. It could be the extra early starting time which we all have adapted to.

Some of us followed David and rode along the beach. Others took a detour to avoid the sand, salt and the need to wash their bike when they got home.

Talia F. and I were especially happy about the beach part since David had in mind my request for a dip in water.

It was a perfect birthday dip! Regardless the black flags. The water was amazing! I was missing Ingride at this point since she is always my trust worthy partner in crime when it comes to a quick dip during our cycling adventures. Talia cooperated very nicely and I believe when Ingride returns there is great potential for a water threeo.

On the ramp leaving the beach we all enjoyed the shade and some birthday cake which was gobbled all up very fast and leaving no crumbs for Merrill.

On the way back we took the road less traveled for a change. I think it should be the road more traveled since it made the way back shorter with less of an incline or at least a friendlier one.

We then happily wined and dined at arcaffe.

Our ride covered 27 km’s

It was mentioned today that i joined the group just before my 30th birthday.

Thank you all for putting up and cooperating with my shenanigans for the past six years!

Special thanks to David for the perfect birthday ride and to John my beloved breakfast buddy

Ride Report - Sat. Aug. 3, 2019 - Yarkon Circle Away Ride -  By David

Participants: 21 riders, which validates loud and clear our decision to start our rides at (for some) the unearthly hour of 6.30 am –we could even start earlier but that might be pushing it a bit ☺.

Route: We started “near” Hod HaSharon Park parking area - the gate was still closed at 6.30 – maybe the guy who opens up overslept! But very inconvenient for those of us trying to find a place to park! Then down to the Yarkon, east for a short distance until the steel bridge and then onto the southern bank westwards to the Maccabi Bridge at the Ramat Gan stadium. Then back east on the northern side of the river. Total distance about 27 km.

Riding Conditions: Some cloudiness helped to keep temperatures down to reasonable levels. The route westwards was almost completely sand free, but the same cannot be said for the return route with some “heavy” patches – kol hakavod to some of our rides who made it/almost made it through the sand!!

Bottom Line: This is always an enjoyable ride and the early “beat the heat” start contributed greatly. Although this route isn’t exactly a test of one’s climbing skills (the total ascent on my GPS registered a mere 92 meters!) nevertheless what may be an absence of “challenge” is more than compensated for by the natural beauty of the area (river bank riding is, for me, always special). And no room for boredom on this ride - the winding paths along the river demand 100% concentration. All in all, a super ride, super company!

Ride Report - Sat. July 27, 2019 - Local Ride Report -  By

Ride Report - Sat. July 20, 2019 - Nahal Alexander Away Ride -  By Talia S.

At the unearthly hour of 6:30 am, fourteen of us met in the parking lot at the mouth of Nahal Alexander (the Alexander River). The group included Michal with her impressive new tattoo, as well as guest of honor Stuart! Nahal Alexander is a favorite amongst some of us Cyclenixers and, as Talia F. pointed out, the drive there is special too. This is because, as you leave Route 2 and cross the bridge towards Mikhmoret, the shimmering blue ocean suddenly comes into view in all its glory.

Uri was the lead and he took us along the river through the nature reserve. Some of the route was paved, and the rest consisted of gravel, sand, and a couple of rocky challenges. We stopped at an observation point to have a snack and admire the view. At the turning-back point, a few of us went ahead in the direction we came, not realizing that a detour had been planned. So, unfortunately, we missed the second observation point, situated in a very beautiful spot for the purpose of birdwatching. Later I understood that a lot of cranes had been about, but not (as David pointed out) of the type currently seen in the Herzliya building sites. Furthermore, Ingride told me she’d had the scary experience of a snake crossing her path so swiftly that Ingride couldn’t stop in time and rode over it. Luckily neither Ingride nor the snake were hurt.

A highlight later in the ride was the appearance of an ice-cream van, which is one of the perks of riding in a more civilized area. This was followed by a group recording of “Happy Birthday to You” for Stuart’s mum, who is in Manchester and who has a birthday today. We got back to the cars at around 10 am, which was just a well as it started getting very hot indeed. Some of the group continued from there to Landwer in the Kfar Vitkin Mall, for breakfast and beer.

To summarize, it was a lovely ride of a 32 km average, with good company, beautiful scenery, and ice-cream.

Ride Report - Sat. July 13, 2019 - Local Ride -  By רפי לנדסמן

בשבת זו נאספנו חמישה עשר רוכבים לרכיבה מקומית בהובלתה של טליה (כולם יודעים איזו מהשתיים). זו השכילה להוביל אותנו בקטעים של קרקע מוצקה ויחסית מעט קטעים של חול טובעני (תובעני). המסע התחיל בתנאים נסבלים יחסית לעונה זו של השנה, והסתיים כאשר הטמפרטורה נסקה מעלה מעלה למרות שהקיץ רק התחיל. היו רגעים שחשבתי שאני מתחיל להבין את המושג Inferno של דנטה אלגיירי.

תוך כדי הרכיבה פרשו חלק מהרוכבים בגלל סיבות גופניות או בגלל סיבות מכניות. רכבנו צפונה לכיוון אגמון אודים, שם לקחנו פסק זמן למנוחה ולתצפית. ומשם דרך פארק אודים ... למטרה הסופית, ארוחת בוקר להתרעננות, החלפת חוויות, ואיחוד מחדש עם אלו שפרשו בדרך. בסופו של דבר הגענו למסקנה שאת הרכיבות הבאות נתחיל בשעה 06:30 כי כדור הארץ משתגע.

Ride Report - Sat. July 6, 2019 - Nachshonim Forest -  By Ted

Waking up before 5AM requires mental training but more importantly motivation. I did manage to beat the alarm and drove to the start point in anticipation of a ride with promise of good things to come. Little did I know that I was being kept in the dark as is apt for a pre 5AM dark wakening. Read on about the "dark". We rode off in slightly humid but breezy conditions in an overcast sky, all 13 of us including 2 ladies. The going was fine until we reached the sharp incline to Nachsonim forest. Initially easy and then the rocky trail fit fora jeep. I admit that it was a first for me, not making the entire climb in one go. I stood with several others waiting for the pulse to return to abnormal. You can't beat aging!!!!!!! David who was leading did mention that at Haim's behest we were stopping later at Kibbutz Nachshonim to Nosh at Haim's in laws. I berated David that it was a waste of time and that the temps would be high by the time we had been "fed up" by an apparently motherly M in L called Leah.

To make things worse we had to scale another mountain to reach Leah's home after Haim had misread the way to our promised oasis. We grumbled and swore but finally found the holy grail. A kindly elderly couple greeted us with such warmth that we all melted into Oohs and Aahs especially after seeing the feast she had prepared. Furthermore, our mouths opened agape when we discovered that this entire ride was a plot to cover up a celebration for David's imminent birthday. The plotters included Ingride, Arik and of course Haim. The OSS could not have done a better job in keeping us in the dark (yes, a dark ride indeed). Even David failed to uncover conspiracy.

We dined and laughed and enjoyed an amazing poem by Arik (our resident Hebrew poet) lauding David and quite rightly so.

We rode home filled with goodies in our bellies and mentally inspired by this well -planned outing. On reaching the paring place we were in such a festive mood that we decided to have another breakfast in Maui just up the road. A cheery b'fast it was with the beer and good spirits flowing.

Thanks to Haim and Ingrid for plotting and a special thanks to Leah and Allan our genial hosts from Nachshonim.

In summary, our calories count burnt was replaced by cals consumed. A wasted morning. Not Likely mate. And a happy B'day David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ride Report - Sat. June 29, 2019 - Local Ride -  By David

Participants: 17 including two of our regular riders, Hylton and Sasha, who rode with us today after a long absence, “not of their making”! Great to see you back riding with us again.

Route: From Ra’anana westards and northwards alongside Routes 531 and 20 towards Yakum and then further north to Udim, via the newly build lookouts on Lake Udim. - total distance 30 km. For route map and other GPS data see: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/36567832

Riding Conditions: a little warmer than forecast, but nevertheless offset by intermittent cloud cover throughout the ride. As is to be expected at this time of the year, patches of sand but for the most part good surfaces.

Bottom Line: I suggested a route following the 531 and 20 northwards, and Anna obligingly took charge. Thank you Anna! A change from our more regular routes is always welcome and today’s ride was an enjoyable variation.

Ride Report - Sat. June 22, 2019 - Yarkon - Tel Aviv Ride -  By David

Participants: 17

Route: From the Hadar Yosef Sports Center parking lot down to the Yarkon, then along its banks to the Tel Aviv Old Port and from there to Bat Yam via Yafo - total 34 km.

Riding Conditions: the shady areas along the Yarkon and the cool breeze off the sea down to Bat Yam contributed to ideal riding conditions. “Mediterranian Blue” is a glorious blue, and today we saw it in all its glory!!!

Bottom Line: This ride is not exactly what one would classify as “mountain biking” (!!!) and therefore not in Cyclenix’s regular “repertoire”. Our last ride in Tel Aviv was at the end of 2015 so Haim’s suggestion of a ride there sounded to me like a very good idea. Tel Aviv is an amazing city and it was great to once again experience, and to be a part of, its pulse, its energy and vibrance. Thanks Haim for leading us on our 2019 “Tel Aviv Experience”.

Ride Report - Sat. June 15, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Frances

A different perspective...

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