Tuesday 5 November 2013

IsraelRide 2013 - Kibbutz Ketura to Eilat | Monday, Nov. 4 - 80 km



On the final day of riding, we will ride to the southern tip of Israel – Eilat. Chalutzim start with a climb out of the Arava valley (that everyone rode down the day before), one of the steepest climbs on the route. Tzofim will be bused up, and will join Chalutzim for a ride along the Egyptian border. Shomrim will rejoin us from their morning touring for lunch, and we will all end with a stunning descent into the city of Eilat, where we ride through the city to the beach. After a swim in the Red Sea we head to bike packing and a final dinner. Tzofim: 49 miles, 3400 feet climbing. Overnight: Isrotel Princess Hotel – Trip Notes


As the sun rose over the Arava, I set out for the eighth time from Kibbutz Ketura to Eilat. Since the Ride shifted from May to November, this last day has become quite enjoyable even though there is a steady climb for most of the day. Cooler weather certainly improves the riding experience. The crew also gets a little crazy..!

Lots of riders carried Aussie keyrings 
  

Security fence along Egyptian border
  
Egyptian guard tower
 
Great rest stops along the way with plenty of snacks and drinks and then the final downhill into Eilat for "popsicles" and the convoy to our hotel. This year "The Princess" almost on the Sinai border. Drinks at the beach followed by bicycle disassembly and then the final dinner and closing ceremony.




We had 130 riders this year and no major incidents. Congratulations to the IsraelRide organisers and crew for putting together a great 2013 ride. Back to Tel Aviv by plane tomorrow and then heading home over the weekend.

Thanks for following From The Seat of My Bicycle. Until next time....

Sunday 3 November 2013

IsraelRide 2013 - Mitzpe Ramon to Kibbutz Ketura | Sunday, Nov. 3 - 101km


After a spectacular descent into Makhtesh Ramon, travel across the center of the ever-changing Negev landscape, stopping at a desert Ashram and an organic cafe. End the day with another dramatic descent to the Arava Valley. At Kibbutz Ketura you can take a tour of the Arava Institute, the kibbutz, and meet the current students. Tzofim : 62 miles, 3300 feet climbing. Overnight: Ketura Guest House – Trip Notes



This is my favourite day of the ride. Shacharit at the edge of Makhtesh Ramon, group photo and then the fabulous descent into and ride through the makhtesh. Stunning!

EFI today into Kibbutz Ketura, home of the Arava Institute. We celebrated with a bbq dinner and got to meet up with Sharon Benheim whom I first met here in 2006. All in all, a spectacular day's riding. 




































Saturday 2 November 2013

Israelride 2013 - Shabbat in Mitzpe Ramon | Saturday, Nov. 2 – 0km




Celebrate Shabbat as a community in spellbinding Mitzpe Ramon. Enjoy the day off as an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate yourself in this beautiful desert environment.We ask that all riders join us for Shabbat dinner on Friday night as a community, and then again on Saturday evening as we say farewell to Shabbat with a Havdalah ceremony overlooking the Makhtesh Ramon.During the day, all programming is optional, but we offer communal prayer options, discussions, hikes, and yoga. After lunch, there are opportunities to learn more about the work of Hazon and the Arava Institute during optional sessions on Shabbat.- Trip Notes


Shabbat is the day of rest and the day of cholent for lunch - a tradition at Ramon Inn Hotel. Enjoy the pics!













Friday 1 November 2013

IsraelRide 2013 – Mashabei Sadeh to Mitzpe Ramon | Friday, Nov. 1 – 81km



As we enter the heart of the desert, shade becomes rare, and the distance between oases continues to grow. Most riders will visit the desert town of Yerucham and visit the site of Ben Gurion’s grave, with a magnificent desert vista. Chalutzim will ride along the Egyptian border through the desert. All groups end the day in Mitzpe Ramon, a town in the heart of the Negev perched atop Makhtesh Ramon, a giant erosion crater. Tzofim: 50 miles, 3800 feet climbing. Overnight: Ramon Inn. – Trip Notes.


Two serves of onion soup with rice for dinner seemed to settle  my stomach but by the first rest stop the signs of further upset were there. Nevertheless, we followed the usual routine of morning stretching, shofar blowing and flat tires en route to Yerucham Lake where the mayor greeted us and then to Sde Boker, the site of Ben Gurion's grave. 48km was enough for the day and, as Edna and I have been to Sde Boker many times, we took the senior alumni option of the local bus to our hotel at Mitzpeh Ramon where we have a rest day for Shabbat tomorrow.