Next Rides

LOCAL RIDE - Sat. Feb. 29, 2020

Next ride: Home Patch
All home patch rides start at 7:30am
NOTE: New start time (as of Nov. 2, 2019)

Remember to keep an eye on weather reports so you come prepared with wet weather gear if required. :


Our local rides will meet at 7:30 am at the usual place in the car park opposite Yad L'Banim on Ahuza Street Ra'anana.

Please note 7:30 AM start time.





Gallery Link
Burma Road - Hapsalim, Jan 26, 2019

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!

Gallery Link
Gvar'am Jan 12, 2019


YouTube link to Ride Video



Home Patch Gallery Link
Home Patch Jan 12, 2019

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.

Gallery Link
Jan. 5, 2019

Ride Report - Sat. Jan. 5, 2019 - Local Ride -  By Stephen Schulman

I cycle the winter paths again,
The sand, the water, the mud,
Wherever I doth wend, my ways do end,
Completely covered in crud.
These lines entitled "Muditations on a January Ride" composed by the Romantic lake poet William Mudsworth aptly describe our first (home patch) ride of the good year (we hope!) 2019.

Meeting as usual at our appointed parking place, the multi-hued, suitably winter attired Cyclenix Flying Phalanx set off with our indefatigable leader David at its head and devoted sweeper Ted at its tail. Cycling past the disapproving glances of some of our more pious coreligionists on their way to Sabbath morning devotions, we crossed the busy intersection and were soon in the fields.

That this winter has been blessed with rains was very much evident as we encountered large puddles and muddy paths that had been often churned up by tractors and 4WD vehicles often making them completely unrideable and necessitating improvised detours that tested our nimbleness and agility.

We passed Bnei Zion and along the way crossed over a small river that led to Nahal Alexander. Beside it, a pumping station was working at full blast pumping a copious stream of what seemed to be effluents into it. Judging from the color of the water and the foam floating on top, I hoped that the turtles and fish in the river had been previously vaccinated! We turned off into large, dank citrus orchards very muddy and puddlesome and at long last after muddling through (kindly excuse the pun!) and upon exiting took a welcome break to enjoy a clementine or two fresh off the tree and bursting with flavor. Then there was the long climb to Tel Yitschak where we waited a while as the first puncture of the day was being fixed.

While resting there, a few of us were greeted by three equestrians riding by on their beautiful horses – a sight that reminded us of Shakespeare's King Richard the Second's famous lines after his rear tube had deflated: "A horse, a horse, my bicycle for a horse!" Our route took us up to Udim and we descended down the well-known and well-travelled slope to the path alongside the river. Crossing the bridge and turning south along the other bank, we discovered that the path, having been previously churned into a quagmire, was completely impassable. Nevertheless, an alternative route had been previously forged and which we were able to take advantage of.

The phalanx then arrived at the big service station and rendezvous café at Kibbutz Ga'ash where we, on our bicycles, looked askance at all those fellow humans who had to resort to the use of a horseless carriage! From then on, we were homeward bound, eventually turning left through avocado orchards onto the path parallel to the railway, crossing the line before turning right onto the homeward stretch. Even then, the way was not easy as we had the challenge of navigating around the many large puddles and pedalling along in thick mud before finally reaching the metalled road behind the Raanana cemetery. From there, a merry company descended to carouse at Landwer Café while the rest of us with more pressing matters rode straight home.

All in all, it was a great pleasure riding together, having the privilege to see all the lush green in the countryside and enjoy looking at all the lakes formed by the winter rains. It was even a greater joy to see all the families and young children out and about enjoying the fresh air of a crisp Saturday morning.

Gallery Link
Dec. 22, 2018


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Ride Report - Sat. Dec. 22, 2018 - Local Ride -  By John

Home patch Ride Report

The weather today turned out to be ideal riding weather. No wind, not hot, clear skies and bright sunshine, greeted the large turnout of riders at our usual meeting spot. Lately our numbers really seem to be increasing...the more the merrier!

We set off a little later than planned (nothing unusual) but after 2 kms Yael's bike refused to allow her to pedal any further and unfortunately she and Uri had to WALK back to the car, which fortunately was not too far away.

Today's ride was lead by Uri Sa'ar and he took us along lots of track that most of us had never ridden before. The rains during the recent past had left their mark... a fair amount of mud and lots of pools, some deeper than others, as the photos will show of what happened when our two brave South American riders tried to negotiate one of these pools. :)

The ride was shorter than usual - I loved that bit - but long enough to give us sufficient exercise and not leave us "out for the count" when we arrived at Landwers for our breakfast. Three of us (fore-warned by Michal) had slippers in our back packs which we donned before entering Landwers and which entitled us to a free Nutella Late (absolutely delicious) This promotion at all Landwer Branches continues until the 31st December, so, everyone, pack your slippers into your backpack for next week's ride! Just remember that Landwer reserves the right (according to their advert) to discontinue the promotion at any time, so here's hoping it will still be going next Saturday, the last ride of 2018.

Thankyou Uri for ably leading us and showing us some new paths.

See you all next week.

Gallery Link
Dec. 15, 2018


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Ride Report - Sat. Dec. 15, 2018 - Away Ride -  By David

Nahal Alexander

Participants: 20 - who didn't give up on doing this ride 2 weeks after having been cancelled due to much rain - and in the context of Nahal Alexander, that means lots of mud and puddles, which in turn probably means lots of fun for the riders, not very good for our bikes, but very good for the bike shops!!

Route: From the parking lot at the river mouth, mostly along the banks of the river to the Bird Observation Lookout (a few kilometers north of Burgata) where we made a U-turn and a "breadcrumb" route back to the cars.

Ride Conditions: Unusually cool conditions at the start, including a wind chill contribution from a strong easterly, which got us pedaling a little harder upstream, but rewarding us on the way back. Riding conditions were a blunt realization that we had exchanged summer's sandy trails for winter's mud. Which is to be preferred? That's an ongoing debate...

Bottom Line: 31 kilometers of most enjoyable riding, super scenery and great company. Thanks for managing the ride Uri - and hopefully the beginnings of many more to come under your leadership.

Gallery Link
Nov. 24, 2018


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Ride Report - Sat. Nov. 24, 2018 - Local Ride -  By Frances

Winter Sun Ride

After much talk about the rain and cold, Saturday was a perfect riding day. A bit of a chill in the air with bright blue skies....
Around 15 of us set off under the leadership of Shaike (with a little help from his friends ...) on some old (where we haven't been in a while) and some familiar routes. We cycled 30 km from Raanana north to Ga'ash avoiding mud along the way. In fact, the most mud was in the last 100m back to Raanana....

Some made their way home after a lovely ride enjoying the green after the rains whilst others refueled at Landwer.

So... since there was no mud glued to our wheels, I have adapted Mississippi Mud....

When the sun comes up and the tide goes out, people gather and they begin to wheel

Hey Hey, Cyclists
It's a treat to beat your wheels from getting the Mississippi Mud....

And the Hippopotamus song...
Mud mud no glorious mud
no mud to stick to our wheels
So follow me down the road
And avoid that glorious mud

Gallery Link
Nov. 17, 2018


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Ride Report - Sat. Nov. 17, 2018 - Local Ride -  By

Gallery Link
Nov. 10, 2018


YouTube link to Ride Video

Ride Report - Sat. Nov. 10, 2018 - Local Ride -  By Barbara S.

Hello my fellow Cyclenix bike riders,

After all these years of managing to get out of writing the write up (usually because I was working weekends writing), I have finally been roped into it.

I am sitting at Landwer Coffee and have just heard that the other half of the group are at ArcCaffe.

Guys, we really have to work on sticking together. It is much more fun when we're all together.

Here we have John, Rafi, Haim, Arik, Beni, me and a new rider with us from Modiin named Leora initially from Canada. Welcome to Cyclenix.

Can't name the people at the other restaurant because I’m not there, but I know that Talia is there, with Leonardo and two new Venezuelan guys. Leonardo's wife was here with us looking for him.

Very noticeably missing were David, Ingrid, Ted and Michal. John is with us but without his breakfast buddy. We all wish them the best

So we were missing our two ends, the leader David and the sweep Ted.

We rode our normal route and went around Udim. About 32 km

Special thanks to Merril for leading us and showing us some new detours.

Gallery Link
Nov. 3, 2018


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Ride Report - Sat. Nov. 3, 2018 - Kfar Sava Ride -  By Talia S.

Today 23 of us congregated at 7:30am in the parking lot of the Herzog High School in Kfar Saba, for a ride planned by Arye.

We set out along Ben Yehuda Street, turning left at the Derech Ha’Poel junction onto Zamir Street. We then rode out into the fields through Derech Ha’Movil Ha’Artzi, or National Carrier path, so called because underneath this unassuming dirt road runs the biggest water pipe in the country, responsible for channeling water from the Sea of Galilee to the center of Israel.

Continuing through the fields along Highway 5503, we bypassed Kibbutz Nir Eliyahu and crossed Highway 5504 next to the Camille Restaurant (where we didn’t stop). We cycled by some fascinating excavations recently discovered during construction work for a railway line, and after that, passed the domed tomb of Shimon Ben Ya’akov. We rode through Kibbutz Eyal and along the southern edge of Tzur Yigal, coming across a plaque among the trees called ‘Meeting Place of Friends’, erected in memory of two young friends from Tzur Yigal. We made a U-turn around Kochav Yair and returned on our tracks in a south-westerly direction adjacent to Highway 6, until we had again reached Nir Eliyahu and Kfar Saba.

The ride was interesting from a historical point of view, and we stopped to inspect the various relics. It was also quite challenging, with a few tough up-hills, one very steep down-hill, and some rocky patches. There was one puncture (mine), a negligible amount of sand, two very unfriendly dogs, and lots of chatting and laughing. Arye did a great job of taking the lead for the first time, with backup from Shaike who made sure that the front of the group didn’t actually succeed in shaking off the back!

To summarize, it was a great ride of 33 kilometers, in a varied and unfamiliar environment, with the usual good company.

Gallery Link
Oct. 27, 2018


YouTube link to Ride Video

Ride Report - Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 - Local ride -  By David

Participants: 30 (which approaches our record number) which included Leo's son Phillipe, and Gil and his son Misha who joined us for the first time. Welcome to the three of you and we look forward to your riding with us again soon

Route: The rainy conditions earlier in the week made it possible to ride two sections which we need to avoid in the summer, which made a welcome variation. See our route in Google Photos Album of today's ride (note: includes to and from Kfar Saba)

Ride Conditions: Near perfect weather for riding, hardly any sandy or muddy sections. Overall distance 34 km.

Bottom Line: An enjoyable ride - great company!

News and Events

Next Rides

Our Next Ride

LOCAL RIDE    Sat. Feb. 29, 2020

Next ride: Home Patch
All home patch rides start at 7:30am
NOTE: New start time (as of Nov. 2, 2019)

Remember to keep an eye on weather reports so you come prepared with wet weather gear if required. :
Local Rides will meet at 7:00am at the usual place in the car park opposite Yad L'Banim on Ahuza Street Ra'anana.

Please note 7:30am start time.

Free Bootstrap Seminar

Special News and Events

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...
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Rider Profile

ARIK LEVIN

Family: Father of 3 children and a devoted grandfather of 7 grandchildren (+ 1 in the near future).

Education: Technion Haifa, Faculty of Industrial & Management Engineering.

Work Experiences: A wide variety of work places and activities which included implementation of salary incentive methods, systems improvement, as well as project management, factory construction, logistics and the purchaser for electronic companies etc. For the last 30 years until my retirement I served as Vice President Operations in a large and well known data communications company.

Hobbies: A few ? which I enjoyed for a short while only - a self-defense course, wind surfing, sailing an 420 sailing dinghy, horse riding, Jeep driving.

Others - which I constantly enjoy - reading (especially subjects on meditation, fiction, thrillers, adventures), participating in many different kinds of lectures (Bible research, leaders and people who have influenced world history, globalization, linguistic changes in the Hebrew language, subjects relating to cinematography etc.) walking Israel trails (including the Shvil Israel), traveling abroad and, as (you may have guessed!)....cycling in Israel and abroad.

As I am still quite young, I hope to add a few more hobbies in the future!!

BASIC MOUNTAIN BIKE ETIQUETTE

  1. ARRIVE ON TIME - Your time is no more important than anyone else’s. Check the night before for air in the tires and that all is in proper working order.
  2. RIDE PACE - This usually determines itself depending upon who and how many are riding. A smaller group is almost always quicker, while larger rides tend to be more relaxed and chatty – accept this reality!
  3. KEEPING UP - Try to keep up with the pace of the group – it makes for a more enjoyable ride for everyone. If there is consensus that the pace is too fast, tell the leader!
  4. NOBODY GETS LOST - Make sure that there is someone behind you who sees your riding direction. If not, wait until someone sees you before you continue… that person behind you will do the same. If everyone in the group does this, nobody gets lost and the group does not have to stop as a whole. We need to have space between riders – it is acceptable that the group is spread out, as long as you have sight contact with the rider in front of you.
  5. YIELD – YIELD – YIELD - Always keep to the right unless you are passing. If you want to pass, make sure they are aware of your intention. Never change “lanes” before making sure you are clear to do so – sudden moves with no warning can cause an accident.
    If you have to dismount due to sand, mud, a technically difficult uphill, etc., pull off the path, so as not to impede the momentum of the riders behind you.
    Always yield to pedestrians, hikers, horses (all are unpredictable!).
    If a rider approaches from the opposite direction and there is no room to safely pass, be prepared to pull off the path and stop.
    The rider going uphill ALWAYS has right of way.
    Restricted Line of Sight? Slow down, increase your awareness and be ready to stop. If you are coming to a blind curve, ring your bell or yell “BEEP, BEEP”.
  6. STAY TOGETHER –If you head up to the front of the ride or pulling away from the group always wait at the next junction for everyone to catch up. If you need to head back to the carpark, phone the leader, or at very least make sure you ask someone in the group to tell the leader.
  7. TECHNICAL SECTIONS – Always wait until there is a safe distance between you and the rider in front before beginning a technical section. If you end up behind a slower rider don’t ride too close behind, it only increases the pressure on that rider and can cause an accident. Hang back and give both of you space to enjoy the trail until you can overtake safely.
    On a section that you would prefer not to ride, walk well clear of the track.
  8. BE PREPARED - Ride with spare inners and/or puncture kits, tools, pump and basic first aid kit. Always wear a helmet, sunglasses, sunscreen, have plenty of water and some snacks. Do NOT wear earphones when riding – hearing what is happening around you is important.
RIDE SAFELY AND HELP OTHERS TO DO THE SAME

Contact

Contact Info.

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

Disclaimer

By joining our rides each participant confirms that:
  1. He/she is in good health and there is no medical reason preventing him/her from participating in the ride.
  2. He/She releases the organizers of the tour from all claims arising out of, in consequences of any loss, injury, damage to his/her person or property while participating in the ride.
  3. He/She is aware of and accepts the risks in participating in the ride.



New riders always welcome to join us.

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