Bike Israel 2009

The first two days of our historic bike ride have been quite eventful. Our trip was launched in Tel Aviv at a dinner with Aharale Rothstein, Principal of the School in Sha'ar Ha Negev and Alon Schuster, Mayor of the Region. They extended us a warm welcome and their blessings and well wishes for a safe and meaningful trip. We will see them again when we are greeted by the Sha'ar Hanegev community upon completion of our ride on Yom Hatsmaot. The next morning we started North from Tel Aviv but stopped precisely at 10am (along with all of Israel) as the siren blared in commemoration of Yom HaShoah.

After a short shake out ride Tuesday evening upon arriving in Metula (about a stones throw from Lebanon), we officially launched our journey on Wednesday and road to Ginosar along the Kinneret (close to Tiberias); 55 miles in all and about 3000 feet of climbing. It was a roller coaster of a ride, descending 1200 feet to the Hula Valley and criss crossing the Jordan River a few times and then ascending to the upper Galeal with a stop in Katsrin for Shwarma and a tour of the HaGolan Winery, Then we rocketed down highway 87 starting at an altitude of 1300 feet and descending to 800 feet below sea level to the Kinneret. It was a hot day in the North with temperatures over 90. The Gold Star I drank after we pulled in to Ginosar was probably the most refreshing beer I have ever had in my life. We completed our day with a dip in the sea and dinner on the water at a nice restaurant in Tiberias. Allan Goldstein remarked that it was one of the most memorable days of his life and Susan and I would concur in these sentiments. Our group is bonding well from this unique experience and we are enjoying everyone's company.

Day 2 started with an 8 mile climb up into the hills of Tiberias (getting back above sea level) and a magnificent overlook of the Kinneret and the lower Galeal. We then headed South to Bet She'an with a stop for lunch at Gesher near the border with Jordan.

Despite a fall in the shower that almost ended Susan's adventure early, and a really pretty bruise on her back, Susan has been a real trooper and is up to the challenge. We are 14 in all, including 11 riders, and a great support team. They, along with David Mitchell, Director of Education with Alexander Muss Institute who has been our guide, have kept us safe, well fed and engaged in learning along the way.

Israeli's like to use their horns a lot to let you know that they are passing by, but with few exceptions they have been exceptionally courteous and deferential. That's a good thing because there are really no bike lanes in Israel. Pedestrians cheer us on with a "kol ha kovod."

Tomorrow we ride from Bet She'an to Caesarea, which will be another tough day in the saddle, but words fail me in trying to describe how wonderful it is to be seeing Israel from this perspective. We will have a rest day in Caesarea for Shabbat and then we "ascend to Jerusalem." I hope to keep you posted as time and internet access permit but I also invite you to the blog which is being updated daily with pictures, etc @ http://bikeisrael2009.blogspot.com/ and get information on the school at www.bikeisrael2009.com

Thank you all again for your support and encouragement of our efforts to build a new school for Sha'ar HaNegev.

B'shalom and L'Hitraot

Bob and Susan