All Cyclenix rides are suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
Please note that new Min of Health regulations state we are going in to a "complete" lockdown for the next while. (as of Dec 28 2020)
Our health is paramount and we are all committed to follow the regulations in order to safeguard ourselves and our fellow riders.
All cycling activity is at present restricted in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations issued from time to time. We are committed to keeping everyone safe and healthy and will update our site here as and when we have any further information.
For further questions call - Ted 0523520000, Uri Nativ 0522445766 or Rafi Landsman 0523576385 and/or consult the Ministry of Health/ or Covid-19 Guidance Site if you have need for further clarification.
20 riders pitched up for the home patch ride on this chilly winter morning.
We welcomed my friend Nitsa for the ride and hopefully for others as well.
The aim of the day was a nice easygoing home patch with a couple of fun surprises planned by David for Ingrides 20 th Birthday. So we started pedaling up Ahuza towards Herzelia where we hit an unplanned turd (sorry I have a cold). Holy MUD! And we were deep in it! Trying to push our way through, while constantly cleaning off our wheels and derailers to
prevent any costly damage.
At last we found clear grounds! Still cleaning off our bikes we were happy with every puddle that would wash away the mud. The mud detour had David shorten his original plans due to surprises that would be later throughout the ride. it was quite amusing listening to David brush off THE question of the day: where are we going to have breakfast? I happened to be in the loop of things because of my interfering on the previous day in the
ride plans. We headed to the Herzelia beach cliff on the cleanest way that we could to enjoy a nice birthday celebration for Ingrides birthday. Ingride had brought a couple cakes and Haim brought his infamous Limoncello. We sang, had cake and got a nice buzz going on for the rest of our ride.
Continuing back the way we came and alongside the 531 leaving everyone wondering where
we were going. Still with the repetitive question in the background like a mediation mantra: where are we going for breakfast? David nonchalantly brushed them off with the simple answer that we haven't decided yet.
At this point we were very close to our destination and I could hear Ingride telling Frances about how their daughter lives near by. Surprisingly we just happen to ride right past the entrance to her house as David remembered that he missed a turn. A maneuver that could only afterwards be seen as a small decoy. Entering Simonas garden it still seemed as if Ingride Innocently hadn't picked up on the surprise! waiting there was a lovely spread organized by her loving husband, daughter, son in law and grandchild.
I have to mention the small details... David made two infamous traditional birthday cakes. A cheese cake and a chocolate cake they were both yummy! Simona prepared a lovely book with photos of precious times for all of us to write in it for Ingride. Haim prepared birthday hats because it ain't a B-day without party hats! Last but not least little Eden brought down the house with the cutest little smile and confidence that one can expect from a toddler.
P.S no tell Simona but I'm sure he had more strawberries than he was allowed to have
Happy Birthday Ingride and many more to come! Love from all Cyclenix members!
coming soon
It was grey winter morning when at our usual gathering place, the multicolored Cyclenix Flying Phalanx gathered for its year end foray into the wilds of the Sharon. The weather was perfect for cycling: overcast and with a little nip in the air (just like the forecast before the attack on Pearl Harbor) that invites you to pedal long and hard without breaking into a sweat. (Kindly note: ladies do not sweat, they glow).
Leaving the rear outskirts of Raanana and proceeding along the orchards, we soon reached Bnei Zion where turning right, we went through a tunnel to emerge in Sde Warburg, a most prosperous looking moshav whose homes would do any residential area proud. Soon we were once more in the fields and thankful that the kindly rains had damped down the earth to make it passable, an otherwise impossible task in summer where we would have had to drearily trudge through the sand!
Reaching Moshav Tsufit, we passed through it to finally arrive at Kibbutz Nir Eliyahu. Personally, the kibbutz was a bit of a disappointment as I didn't encounter any of its members wearing shorts, sandals and "kova tembels" making the most of their Saturday morning by dancing the "hora" in the main square to the accompaniment of an accordion. It seems that our country's pioneering spirit is now well and truly deceased!
Our phalanx then rode along the kibbutz's perimeter path, exiting and returning via the fields to the northern suburbs of Kfar Saba where, turning right at the junction, we returned to Raanana. Our homing instincts were well honed and David faithfully and swiftly led us to Cyclenix's favourite watering hole the Café Landwer. There, suitably ensconced, fed and watered, the jolly company engaged in light bantering, jocularity and exchanging of wisdoms before wending our way homewards full of goodwill towards our fellow beings.
All in all, a good ride, a great morning and an excellent way to see the old year out. May we enjoy many more such year endings and all in the best of health
A large group - at least 20 of us - breathing in the fresh... oh not so fresh early morning air as we set off. Dust still lingered in the morning air, but this did not put us off to ride around 30 km backwards. Well, the route was familiar but we did it backwards...
Suffice to say, it was a great ride with some old and new faces. Of course, refreshments were also enjoyed by part of the group at the end. Some enjoyed their refreshment along the way by liberating some of the rather delicious oranges....
With a lot of lyrical licence - apropos the dust:
They said some day you'll find
Loving cycling is blind
When cycling is your fire
You must realize
Dust gets in your eyes
They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
I of course replied
Something here inside
Can not be denied
They, said some day you'll find
All who love are blind
When your heart's on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes
Participants: At the risk of chauvinism (which in my case is a high risk) as well as sacrilege our Shabbat ride was validated with a "minyan" and one other, that one other being Ingride. For those who are mathematically challenged this means that we were 11 altogether. The "one other" expressed serious concern that being the only "girl" she would not be able to "match the machos". But if the truth be told (and my professional background instantly calls this into question) she, and her bike, showed us all that they were both at very least equal to the challenges that lay ahead, of which there were not a few... So Kol Hakavod Ingride!
Route: The route itself appears from my Garmin's GPS data, a link to which is on the website (thanks to our trusted expert Webmaster Joseph Shulman). The data also includes an elevation profile, which tells its own story! Enough uphills and downhills, some more challenging than others, to remind us that the ride is not a "stroll in the park" and that we are mountain bikers doing exactly what mountain bikers do, and doing it well!
Riding Conditions: Weather-wise, I think it was as perfect a day as any biker could dream of. A clear sunny sky, temperatures in the upper teens rising to low twenties towards the end, and a gentle breeze to keep us cool. A variety of trail surfaces from smooth to rather rough (and for Richard and me, proof enough of the strength of the axles on our Leftys!!).
Bottom Line: Our leader was Joseph Kowen, and the Zichron area is his "home patch". So needless to say we were under expert management. This was the third ride that Cyclenix have done with Joseph in the area, this one being a variation on our two previous rides, a little longer, a few more challenges, and views, scenery and the natural beauty in abundance. Thank you Joseph for a truly outstanding ride.
Today in a chilly 9 point something degrees around 19 of us set off under Meir's guidance "in the direction of Wingate" as he said. We did indeed go in the direction of Wingate along familiar and some paths we haven't cycled on in a long time. It was a meandering route passing Tel Yitzchak, Yakum (where some chose to leave us to head off to Landwer) and taking in some marvellous sea views.
We cycled an extra bit from Yakum along part of shvil Israel up to one viewpoint on a clifff. We went further along to another viewpoint over the sea - perched on even a more treacherous looking cliff. We descended a kind of ravine onto Poleg beach. The sea sparkled and the white sand and warm sun beckoned.... but that was not to be.... We pressed on, returing to Yakum and home. Unfortunately one of us went south instead of north and was not seen again...
A lovely day of cycling along interesting routes (around 38km) under Meir's guidance.
A song for today:
You take the high road and we'll take the low road
And you will probably get to Landwer before us
And the one who go lost, we will hopefully meet again
Along the cliffs by the ocean
I'm starting at the end of the ride with David's Garmin results. If you take a look you will see how unusual this route is and unlike most of our away-rides this is almost one gradient constantly up and the way back down the reverse in a constant down. And when you have a tail wing on the return you can really pick up speed. I saw David's maximum Garmin speed on the ride back was in the mid 20's KPH but I have a feeling that Stuart and Co., were a tad faster??
As for the rest, what more can you wish for. Even the strong Easterly wind was in our favour. The weather was brilliant and the panoramic views stunning. The route was rock hard and tiny spots of mud were no obstacle. We were 18 and two of our riders Yaacov and Francis had maiden rides on their brand new spanking bikes... great bikes for both so Mazal Tov.
The lookout perch is always breathtaking whichever direction you choose to look but more importantly the vineyards we ride thru and those that surround the perch provide Barkan wines with fine crops that enable us to sip fine wines now and then. Which brings me to breakfast or brunch??
We located fine restaurant in Gedera where we ate "a la Eastern" but Barkan wine was not on!!!! I guess I was Barkan up the wrong tree with my Tuborg!!
Thanks David!!!
No Scheduled Rides Until Further Notice Dec-Jan 2020-21
All Cyclenix rides are suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
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
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