As I was the one who suggested a Tel Aviv ride this Saturday, November 17, 2012, John insisted that I be the one to do the write-up.
Well, OK then, we met at the assigned starting place opposite Ramat Gan Stadium, and at the outset 15 souls arrived; a good start. We got going and rode through Park Hayarkon and on to the Tayelet at Tel Aviv Port. At this stage Adrian and Stephen left us (why I ax myself; too slow for you guys???) and we continued along the Tel Aviv beachfront with a few stops here and there to let the stragglers catch up.
Then it was on through Jaffa and towards Bat Yam. But as we sighted the beach front Tayelet here, we decided it was too congested and did an about turn (not a retreat Megan!!) and started making our way back via a stop at "Puah", one of my favorite restaurants, and my first suggestion to the group for a coffee stop. They were not to open for another half hour, so we left via a short ride through the deserted Flea Market and on towards the "Tachana" ( old and totally revamped train station), my second suggestion. However, here we were told that we were not allowed to bring our bikes into the pedestrian area but instead, could chain or lock them up outside. No Way Jose. This was my second suggested stop for coffee.
So onward we went through Neve Tzedek with a stop at another favourite, "Susanna", but here they told us another 15 to 20 minutes before they open. Third suggested stop went by the wayside. By this stage the Motley Crew were getting a little thirsty and hungry, and I got the feeling that I was about to have a "revolt" on my hands!!!! However, I promised that as soon as we hit Rothschild Blvd. all would be OK.
We entered the southern end of the Blvd. and I began by recommending coffee place after coffee place; all of them already tried and tested by moi, but to no avail; either too crowded or too small for a group of thirteen. Finally we ended up at Landweer coffee shop on the Blvd. where we persuaded the waitress to arrange 13 chairs and four small round tables to accommodate us. Actually it was rather nice. However I, of course, informed the group that this would not have been my choice, as it was the only establishment with whom I had not previously arranged a "kickback"!!!!!
Thirteen of us gathered at our starting point - those of us that elected not to whizz around the Kinneret. Jules (a confirmed roadie) joined us and although our route was a familiar one, it was new to him and he enjoyed the change - we may convert him yet.
We set off in ideal weather and despite the recent rain, there was not much mud and not much sand - so we were able to enjoy all the paths. We passed many persimmon trees and Shaul told me that they underwent a process to ripen them. Our resident thieves (they won't be named and shamed here) have tried picking some and ripening them at home, to no avail. The persimmon strain in this area is referred the Sharon Fruit and it is ripened off the tree by exposing it to carbon dioxide. So I suppose we could pick them and breath on them to ripen them, but it may take a while....
Along the route we bumped into quite a few familiar faces. We covered around 32 km with a stop at our Ga'ash gas station to fuel up. It was a lovely ride in perfect conditions with a great group.
I awoke at my usual time, 5.30 am, to the sound of pouring rain!. The road in the front of my apartment was flooded. But, it was Saturday, my day for cycling and I wasn't prepared to be put off by water.
I set out towards the meeting place suitably clad in my bright yellow rain suit in driving rain. By the time I reached the meeting point the rain had disappeared, and, yes, there was a rider there waiting. A few minutes later Hylton arrived from Tel Aviv in his van. I also received a message from Barbara the she was on her way despite her earlier decision not to ride.
We waited until 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time and then the four stalwarts (in alphabetical order), Barbara, Hylton, me and Sasha set off. At the entrance to the off road section in the Industrial area I managed to step ankle deep into a mud pool and the others traversed the hazard in a more sensible manner.
We made a decision to go for less mud and more hard road sections (at Hylton's request) and to get to a "breakfast stop" as quicky as possible. Our route took us through Batzra, Bnei Zion and passed the Rinat Farm and then we headed for one of our favorite breakfast stops, the Service Station at Gaash. After quenching our thirst and satisfying our hunger we headed to home.
It was a shorter ride than usual (23 kms) in perfect weather and those of you who "chickened out" missed an excellent ride.
Remember, next week is the Kinneret Ride, but for those not able to participate, there will also be a local ride.
The sun was shining as we joined together for another Saturday morning home patch ride. Riding with us today were David, John, Ted, Ori, Gerry, Frederic, Dina, Megan, Merill and Yvette. A warm welcome back (and mazel tov) goes to David having just returned from his son's wedding in New Zealand and Merill upon her return from her travels to Costa Rica. We also welcome Ariella and Oren who joined us today. Ariella was last seen riding with the group several years ago and hopefully won't wait as long before joining us again. Ingrid and Frances were missed today and we hope to see them soon.
Although Ilan was not riding today due to a fractured arm he came along to take wonderful pictures of us all along the way which was much appreciated. Anyone wanting to have any of the pictures printed on canvas should talk to Ilan.
We were energetically led up Ahuza Street by David where the paparazzi caught us all as we headed down to Lev HaPark. Two weeks of holidaying had certainly "charged his batteries" as we sped through the paths and out of Ra'anana via our usual "homeward" route towards Rishpon. Up over the bridge and up the hill onto the Park of Statues where once again the camera man was awaiting! From here we went through to the Shfayim nature reserve and sat for a brief rest, enjoying the stunning view from the deck overlooking the sea with the photographer included. We continued riding northwards; out through the kibbutz and turning eastwards towards the grass fields of Yakum and the avocado plantations, now coming into season.
We also passed the persimmon or Sharon fruit trees, not yet in season. Persimmons were first cultivated thousands of years ago in China and scientists claim that a persimmon a day could save you from a heart attack. Definitely a good reason to ride this route again in the near future! From here we rode onto the bamboo route of the Yakum nature reserve continuing onwards to our regular "single" route of Yakum. Megan had a lucky find while riding the single route and Oren was slightly less fortunate having some problems with his brakes which were quickly fixed by David and Ted.
From here the group split up into two, those desperate for coffee going the quicker road rout and those who went over the bridge and on the regular route to the SiCafe. After 20 km of riding it was definitely time for a well-deserved coffee break. It was here that my bicycle became "two tyred" to ride any further and was whisked away on the back of Ilan's car after we said our goodbyes to the group. Hopefully it was an uneventful ride back to Ra'anana from here for you all with no punctures to be reported.
Have a great week.
We started out from the regular meeting point just after seven. The group consisted of ten; John, Ted, Frederic, Avraham , Ilan, Megan, Dina, Barbara, Galit and Yvette.
A warm welcome back to those who have just returned from time overseas - Megan, Dina and Ted (who was back with us last week). Another warm welcome goes to Galit who came along for her first time out with the group. Hope we'll see you again soon.
We were lead out of Raanana by John and Frederic going westwards towards the Har Ha'Zevel by Kiriat Sharett. Thankfully for some we went around it this time and headed out through the fields northwards towards Yakum. A fair amount of sand was on track leading us out past the airfield for the motorized hang gliders. From here we continued northwards towards the pecan trees by Moshav Udim. Frederic suggested a new route through Udim and everyone agreed that it was indeed a pleasant change of route. From here we came out by the usual crossing and onto the 'single' route by Yakum. It was easy riding from here on the usual route as the 'coffee' team could already smell those brewing beans!
A relaxing break with well-earned goodies was enjoyed by all at our favorite place before getting back on our bikes and heading for home through the Rishpon route to Lev Ha'Park. Dina noticed that she had a puncture shortly after leaving Yakum which was quickly fixed by Ted. It was around this time that some of us realized that we were missing some of the group. We all joined up in the parking of Lev Ha'Park to say our goodbyes before going our separate ways home from there. Once again it was a wonderful morning ride of around 34 km. Chag Sameach to you all.
We started 12 strong from our usual place opposite Yad Lebanim at 07:02 sharp (as is usual for our very prompt group).
Our group included: Adrian, Anna, Barbara, Francis, Fredrick, Gabi, John, Rafi, Steve, Ted, Udi and Yvette
Fredrick led us most of the way in his usual stoic manner.
We went north out of Ra-anana and did about 35km through all kinds of fields, and trails and back roads as we usually do.
We wish Gabi, Anna and Rafi a good trip on this their third leg of the European bike ride along the Danube. I was on the first trip there two years ago, but my daughter had the nerve to get married last year at that time and to have a baby this year at the same time as the trip.
We wish a big mazal tov to Adrian for the birth for his second grandchild and to Barbara too for the birth of her granddaughter Shira Youlevitch.
A group picture was taken of the four who came back from the Holland boat/bike trip in August: Adrian, Barbara, John and Steve. Hopefully, we will all be back their next year again.
I love these rides and the great bunch of people that comprise it.
Chag Sameach!
Seven of us pitched up for the first ride of the new year (5773). Seven is, of course, an auspicious number in Judaism - so this can only be a good sign for the coming Cyclenix year! An example close to us now is that on Sukkot we shake 7 species - 1 Lulav, 1 Etrog, 2 willows, and 3 myrtles. And Sukkot is one of the 7 Jewish holidays celebrated during the year.
We headed off on our usual route and enjoyed a ride in good weather with very little sand. Quite a few ups and downs to keep our heart rate up. For those of us ninnies (led by me) some of the stony downs were too much after our Rosh HaShanna eating and drinking, so we walked. Had our brave compatriots been there (Megan and Merrill) we would never have been allowed to walk....
Many of our regulars are gadding about the world having fun, so all I can say is that you missed a pleasant 30 km in good company and some tasty treats at our favourite gas station. Gmar Chatima Tova to all.
Well, we ended off the year with a "Home Patch" ride. Most of the paths that we traversed were well known to us, but there were one or two detours (new to us) that David took us along. We visited the familiar Western View Site in the Sharon Coastal Nature reserve where a yoga class was in progress and then made our way along a few new paths until we reached one of our favourite breakfast stops at the service station situate at Gaash. As usual the service was good and so was the food. Three of our regulars (Dina, Ted and Merrill) were absent today and believe it or not, their presence was missed. +/- 34 kilometres from the start we arrived back home after a most enjoyable ride.
Shana Tova to you and your family. I hope we see lots of you and have many enjoyable rides in 5773.
(ed note: apologies for the state of this ride report but the technology used for this site is dated and doesn't allow for the easy display of Hebrew text.)
Seventeen of us gathered at the start for what turned out to be a 32 km ride in really pleasant weather. Everything is relative, of course, so this just means it was a degree or two less that last week.... Welcome to Steve - new to the group and to Israel. Hope to see you wheeling with us again.
We followed a familiar route through Rishpon, Udim and stopping off at Ga'ash for refreshment. A boon for a summer ride: no sand! We also managed to liberate some passiflora (aka passion fruit, granadilla). So, why different names? Passion is the literal translation of the Latin genus name, Passiflora. And the one we like so much is a vine species of the Passion Flower. Not only does it taste good, but it has great nutritional value. Fresh passion fruit is high in beat carotene, potassium and dietry fibre. The juice is a good source of Vitamin C and helps high blood pressure. The granadilla (that we South Africans know) is another species of the Passion Flower - so technically, the ones we pick here are not the granadilla's we know....
We enjoyed our usual Saturday passion (riding) with good company and a sweet treat (passion fruit) - can't ask for much more than that!
To All Cyclenix Members Friday April 13, 2018
An Important Message:
To all Cyclenix members
Throughout the years that Cyclenix has been riding together, the group has always been organized by the same members. W...
CLICK HERE for the whole story
     |
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.
Missing our newsletter?
Kindly notify CYCLENIX if you have changed your e-mail details
