Sunday 11/27

Well we were SIX: 

JeffB:  Welcome back from Israel.  Jeff had some inspiring stories to tell - and few jokes as well!

Amos:  Grew up and went from one wheel to two wheels and we suspect doubled his fun!

Joe:  Finally got a day off and did the ride!  Great to have him back.

Alan:  Gave up tennis, golf and three other activities and did the entire ride as well - no turning back early!

Harold:  Those spinning classes really show on the road - he attacked every hill!

Instead of going to the corset shop, we went to the white church, the S turns to the wall.  Right up Cleft to West Shore Road, through Oyster Bay and then up Sandy Hill.

Breakfast at the Bagel Shop in Syosset, (JeffB treated!) long way through the Campus and home.

45 miles!

At the start of the ride, it was in the high 30's low 40's but at the end it was already in the 50's.

However, the forecast for this weekend is for once again in the high 30's low 40's at 7:30 AM, partly cloudy, but warming up only to the mid 40's.

Accordingly, the High Council has decided to change the start time: 

We will be starting 30 minutes later:

8 AM at Lakeville and Northern and 8:30 at Wheatley and the Service Road.

See everyone on Sunday.

For the High Council:

JeffK

Alberto Contador slept here

On day four of the Courage in Motion bike ride we stayed at the Hacienda Hotel in Maalot. A very nice place.
Currently Alberto Contador and Team Saxobank are staying in that very same Hotel. See the link.
http://www.jpost.com/Sports/Article.aspx?id=247667

They are there to do some riding and charity work.  Much like we did but different.
If you go to this link you can see a video, part in spanish and in hebrew of Contador in Israel.
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4155111,00.html

There are some great climbs in the north of Israel. I would love to get a real interview of what Contador thought about the riding. Does Contador have twitter feed?

Another Israel Pic.

I remembered to smile for the camera. I like the way the road curves down and then up in this picture. The custom jerseys that we were given were from an Israeli company called Funkier. Like everything else they are made in China.  These are the best cycling jerseys I have.

Wheelmen where are you?

Arrived at Wheatley and the service road a few minutes before 8.

Paul arrived at about 8:03.

We rode to the Corset shop, then the switchback to the bumpy.

Weather was good and it warmed up nicely.

Total 41 miles and home by 11 AM.

Where were the rest of you guys???????????

Weather for November doesn't get much better than it was today!

JeffK

Sunday 11/20 - Not with the Wheelmen

I did not think any Wheelmen were riding out of Great Neck today so I rode with Bob and Ori at 8.  We had 4 other riders joining us, Scott, Chris, Gus, and Dave by Wheatley. Some of these are ex-Wheelmen also known as the Renegades. I was  looking for a faster ride also.  Israel has left me with fit legs.


The plan was to take the service road to Commack Road and then to go north and make our way back.  I believe that is what they did.  I had to be back by 11:30 so at Commack Road I just took the service road back.  It was a very strong wind from the west but even without someone to draft behind I was back by 11:30.


54 miles total.  Some very nice rollers along the service road out to Commack. Lonely on the way back. This was a great day for cycling.  Most of us were overdressed. I tried to shed cloths but had no where to put it. Finally I was able to stuff my jacket into my jersey which gave me a pregnant look.


Up next - Thanksgiving morning ride.

Sunday 11/13 Part B

Not knowing if Wheelmen would be riding I joined the ex-Wheelmen, the Renegades, for their ride.  I expected a longer and faster ride  with few stops and that is what I got.
Riding were BobL, Ori, Scott, Isaac, and Gus. We made our way on a standard West Hills, Lawrence Hill, Snake Hill, Stillwell, the switchback for some of us, the bumpy, campus and home.  60 miles or so total.

My legs benefited from the Israel trip as earlier in the year I might not have been able to keep up. There was a strong wind from the west that I partially avoided behind Bob's wheel.

There is no embarrassment in being the recipient of a good pull.

Sunday 11/13 Part A

Good Morning to all of you who slept in!

 

Harold and I waited until 8:10.  Temperature was 43 degrees and slight wind from the south.

 

We did Stillwell to the White Church.

 

Total miles:  41.  Finished at 11 AM at a balmy 52 degrees!

 

Let me know who is riding next Sunday, weather permitting.

 

JeffK

The Cliffs of Dragot

To our right was the Dead Sea. Ahead of us were the cliffs of Dragot.  Imagine climbing these on a bike.  This was the toughest climb of our ride.  The temps were hot and the grade was severe.

This was the view from the top.

The amazing thing about riding in Israel is have deserts to lush wooded roads all in a very small country.

One must remember when holding aloft one's bike, make sure your water bottles are closed.

Cycling in Israel for disabled Israeli veterans

It was not about the ride.  It was what we accomplished by having the ride.

The Courage in Motion bike ride through Israel does something that most charity rides do not do.  It puts the recipients of the charity on the road. The funds that are raised by the CIM ride helps support cycling as one of the rehabilitation activities that are offered by Beit Halochem, the rehab organization for disabled vets in Israel. We can see the results of our fundraising.  I have spoken to and have heard the stories of the disabled vets that are riding with us. The existence of this ride motivates them to train to be able to participate with us. I have also been told that cycling was helped bring some of these vets out of there post traumatic disorders.

At some point you need to stop and think of what it is about cycling that is so appealing. The camaraderie of the group, the sense of accomplishment, the physical challenge, and the beauty of the surroundings are what do it for me. It is no surprise to me that those things could be used to rehabilitate.  That is what we promote with this ride.

How true!

For all the married male cyclists....this is for you