Day 1 - Shavei Tzion to HaGoshrim

I arrived at the guest house at Moshav Shavei Tzion just in time for lunch - and was so happy to see so many familiar faces!  Doron the amazing mechanic put my bike together in no time, and off I went to be sure everything was in perfect riding shape.  A six mile practice run told me it was all good, and I felt surprisingly good on the bike.  It's been way too long since I've ridden it!  My fears and nervousness were beginning to subside and I was feeling good.

Our "briefing" in the evening was a bit long winded, but served to remind all of us of the two incredible organizations the ride supports - Hazon and the Arava Institute - and the stories of my fellow riders as to how and why they were here were all the inspiration I needed to get up early and roll on out.  60 riders between the ages of 13 and 70 from all over the US, Australia, England and Israel.  And the new northern route sounded beautiful!
 
The day was glorious, the ride superb, until I experienced my first flat tire in 3 Israel Rides.  But if you're going to have a flat, this is the ride to have it on.  Two riders who passed me stopped to be sure I was okay, and waited until the Crew van showed up to fix my tire. Already we'd become a caring community of friends, no longer strangers.  The van showed up within minutes, and took no more than 3 minutes to change my flat.  But this mishap meant that now I was riding along with the sweep....last in line!  Now, although this is NOT a race, and I do not have any need to be first, let's face it.....no one wants to be the last one.  But I discovered that this was actually a blessing in disguise, as the sweep crew member was Gonen - a wonderfully kind, intelligent and interesting young man.  He is a graduate of the Arava Institute who went on to get his PhD and now heads the Youth Education Environmental and Peace Initiative....YEEPI....one of the most exciting and successful programs which is getting Arab and Israeli high school students to work together. And riding alongside of him, I had the opportunity to hear all about it and to get to know him.  That is the beauty of this ride - getting to know the students and graduates of the Arava Institute and the potential they have to change the world.

But here was the problem - I was having a real problem getting up the hills!  Much more so than I would have imagined.  I mean huffing and puffing and not going above 3-4 mph.  I was really, REALLY bummed!  Both Gonen and Stuart, another rider who had stayed to make sure I was okay, were super sweet and encouraging but I was beginning to feel like a little old lady!  In the middle of the very last ascent, I just had to stop and give my legs and lungs a breather.  So I stopped.  And tried to roll my bike off to the side of the road....and it didn't really roll.  It sort of stuck.  I checked it out - the rear brakes were hanging on for dear life to the tire rim!!!   I HAD BEEN DOING ALL THOSE HILLS AND VALLEYS ON MY BRAKES!!!!

Now, most people think of me as an experienced, knowledgeable biker but the truth is that I am not.  I love to bike, but I sort of roll with the punches - or should I say pedal with the pack.  And I'm always learning something new.  So this was my first lesson - before I start out, I now ALWAYS - without fail - check to make sure that the wheels are free from the brakes! 

We rested on top of Ramot Naftali with a magnificent view of the Galillee below, and looked down onto the Hula Lake Preserve, where we were due to have lunch and tour the incredible place.

47,000 cranes are in residence and the chatter is amazing.  It is definitely one of the best spots to visit in Israel, and the tour guide there was excellent.  Don't miss it!