Tuesday November 1 Scorpion climb

We headed out from Leonardo Plaza hotel on the Dead Sea by bus to our start point at Arava Junction into  the Negev south of the small crater. After a good warmup on relatively flat terrain we got into the major climb of the day - Scorpion .  We had stopped for water before starting the climb and I had stepped into a sticky mess of dates that I  didn't see. I couldn't get into my left cleat and desperately clawed at this stuff  to clear the cleat. I  managed to get into the cleat but it wasn't fully engaged. I was back of the group with our Israeli champion Guy Sagiv, but as we rode up the 19 to 20% grades I started to pass everyone except Rick. I finished 2 minutes faster than 2 years ago.
We had a fast pace through a river bed into the valley with a brutal head wind. I had dropped back to help Rob Kwinter back to the group but we were too far back, Rob was hurting and went in the truck and I carried on to the next water stop. Another climb and ended just past Yeruham in the general direction of Dimona.

Monday October 31 riding to Dead Sea and Masada

It is no surprise that most of the 35 from yesterday's group have transferred to the Challenge group. With a strong and experienced group of 12 and two young pro riders who are the champions of Israel, we ride at a steady pace, not fast, but even along the Dead Sea. We have 2 major climbs for the day.

The first climb starts just over 400 meters below sea level and in just under 5 kms finishes at 0. The grade varies from 10 to 18 %.  I broke from the pack and attacked the initial climb of about 1 km and as it leveled for a very short distance I waited for Rick and the two pros. We rode most of the way up together and David Speigal joined us until Rick dropped us. David went ahead of me but I  caught him near the finish and overtook him to finish just back of Rick. I  felt tired but really pumped.

The next climb was much shorter but quite steep as well and again Rick and I finished  1 and 2. Not exactly competitive!

Sunday Oct 30 2016

We leave Tel Aviv by bus from the Sheraton Hotel around  9ish for the start of our ride at Yoav Fortress near Ashkelon. There are 35 riders registered for the Extreme Challenge ride. Most have no idea how hard it will be for them. It is 31C and sunny and will be difficult going. There are basically 12 of us that can handle the big climbs and we stay together pretty well but Rick and I are always first up.  The remainder of the 35 riders as predicted fall well back.

We are riding up to Jerusalem and it is uphill all the way. I am quite familiar with this route and the very last climb which is long and steep .  Again our group handled it well and we finished at Beit Halochem.

I  rode surprisingly strong finishing the climbs just behind Rick who is going to be in the polka dot jersey as King of the mountain. I am also the oldest rider.



We stayed at the Neve Ilan hotel again just outside Jerusalem . Even though there is a great selection of food at breakfast I have learned from past trips to chose carefully with fruit, yoghurt, granola so I am good on our rides.
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CIM trip 2016 Sat Oct 29

Next morning Rick and I walked along the boardwalk and to the Ports for breakfast. It was 7am and we found a place just opening. Rick introduced me to Shakshuka a spicy tomato sauce with onions, hot peppers and a poached egg on top - delicious!
We walked to Jaffa later and took a walking tour of the port in the early afternoon. The guide was entertaining but not that informative so we cut out early as our legs were sore.

That evening we met about 9 other people on the trip for supper back in Jaffa. We took  cab this time. A few of the guys took charge of ordering many appetizers and various meat selections.  Another great meal.
We decided it might be a better idea to walk back and work off that meal.

Courage in Motion 2016 Oct 27-28

Depart Toronto Thursday Oct 27 EL Al ...flight delayed over one hr. Spanish plane and crew. Georgeous stewardesses  dressed in snazzy outfits with little caps and leather gloves. but not least bit friendly.  I had booked my seat on a window aisle but configuration changed to 3 x 3 x 3 so I  was stuck on middle coincidentally with Stanley Mann on outside.

Arrived after 1pm in Tel Aviv and our driver Yosi was waiting to take 4 of us to Beit Halochem to assemble bikes. Rick Pencinor and I took a cab to our Airbnb on Ben Yehuda .  Very decent apartment for 90 Canadian each person /night.  We checked out the beach later.

That evening we met Rick's family for dinner at a restaurant not far away. I had a really nice time with his family - his brother and family live in Kibbutz Gaash and his sister in Netanya . Rick's mom  was there as well visiting from TO.

May 15 Fly to Barcelona and begin touring

Nimi  and I got up at 5:30 am. We had packed the night before, so after breakfast of chopped egg and tuna, yoghurt and fruit, we drove back to the car rental near the airport. The rental place didn't open until 8 (it had only taken 20 minutes using our GPS), but a woman waiting there to return her vehicle had found out we could leave the car at the Airport Parking nearby. We were shuttled to the airport quickly and so now we were really early. Could have easily slept another hour.
Quick flight to Barcelona and our apartment owners Rosa and Miguel came to take us to our apartment.  Unbelievable hospitality! Along the way, they gave us a tour of major sights nearby then in our beautiful, recently renovated apartment .

Rosa gave us a map and details of how to get around by bus and subway and sights we must see. At this point it was sort of overwhelming for us.
Not only is the apartment special but Rosa and Miguel had left a huge basket of fresh fruit, all kinds of crackers and buns, chocolate, coffee, milk, juice and even a bottle of wine!

We devoured some of the goodies and then set out on exploring on our own. We needed a proper lunch and not to far was the original bull-fighting coliseum that was converted inside into a multilevel mall with a restaurant on the top.

We had a good lunch there and took a bus to the port near the old part of town. Along the way, there were huge crowds waving soccer flags - their national soccer team was going to be paraded in.
We took in the sites along the marina and relaxed for a very short time before we headed into the old city. The crowds were enormous. What an amazing town!
We had a late dinner off Rambla

in an outdoor restaurant. Now we were really tired so we took the subway/Metro home.

Day 2 Barcelona. ....Lots of walking/touring

After a leisurely morning with breakfast and coffee in our lovely apartment, we set out towards the Placa España to view the gardens and buildings and then did a tour of the museum of Contemporary Art.

 The building was originally the summer home of royal family of Spain. Not too shabby.  I'm not much into examining the gallery stuff like Nimi but I  behaved.  By the time we finished it was well past lunchtime and we were starved. We used the Metro to go toward the old city off Rambla St. and found  souvlaki place and had a very satisfying lunch. We wanted to search out what was the original Jewish synagogue, now only a tiny room in the Jewish quarter. This was no easy task but with my smartphone and GPS we found it!

Our timing was perfect as a woman was going to give a short explanation of the synagogue and the remnants remaining.  Along the way we tried to get into the Picasso museum but it was closed on Mondays, and also a large marketof St Caterina place closed for the civic holiday today. At least we know where they are.
We now found the Barcelona Cathedral ,

very magnificent large cathedral and did a tour inside. I patiently let Nimi examine everything, but I was suitably impressed.
Time for Gelato break, then more walking then at around 7 pm, supper. I tried grilled octopus.  OK but not a favorite.
Time to take the Metro back to the apartment and call it a night.