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July 25, 2020

Ride Report - Sat. July 25, 2020 - Local Ride Report -  By

Belatedly I realised that no ride report was submitted for Sat Jul 25 so I tried with difficulty to recall what transpired:

I think we were 17 riders mostly male and the weather was humid when we set off to the North at 06.40. We turned sharp to the east when we reached Basra and rode under the bridge crossing route 4.

One notable addition to the ride was Dina who has been absent since riding in Ben Shemen several weeks ago where she took a serious tumble. Also riding along was our grandson Itay who has ridden with the group in the past. We hit some serious sandy patches on the approach to Sde Warburg but upon entering the Moshav it was all road and footpath, some hills, thru as we continued North until we reached Nir Eliyahu.

We circumvented the kibbutz (yes within the K) and found our way to the restaurant located at the service station on the road to Kochav Yair. The owners gladly permitted us to sit for our break in the outer part and some of the guys even indulged in beer swilling (one bottle permitted while riding!!!!!)

We resumed the ride and wound our way back to the entrance to Zofit. Some of the KS residents parted ways and the rest of us made our way back to Ra'anana thru the northern part of KS.

A great ride suitable for a clammy July morning.
Thanks to Uri once again. And mostly, we maintained the Corona regulations but with lots of comradely distanced fun!!!

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.

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