GTrack App Mentioned on the Tablet Show Podcast

Although the actual ride is over, I'm still getting some publicity for my app. This time I got a comment on a previous show read out on the Tablet Show. To hear the show, go to Tablet Show 59. 

By the way, this is not my first mention on this show. I also got mentioned on Tablet Show 43. 

Alyn Wheels of Love 2012: Day 5

Before I report about today's ride, let me first give you a short update about last night. Shortly after we returned to the hotel, that Grad rockets had been launched and that we should enter the designated protected areas. This was the first of five warnings we received during the night.

Today's ride started from Moshav Aderet near Bet Shemesh at around 9:30. We climbed the trail to Tzur Hadassah. We then crossed over the road and continued on to Malcha. This was a total distance of 30km and included some steep climbs.

After eating in front of the Malcha train station, we rode a special circuit of Jerusalem in honor of the 13th (Bar Mitzvah) year of the ride. We rode from Malcha to the Tayelet, continued via Talbiyah to Rechov Azza, then up Golomb to the Alyn.

Alyn Wheels of Love 2012: Day 4

Today, we rode along the Spice Route. We started out from Zofar at 8.15. The weather was hot. The terrain was mixed. It started with more gravel. We continued up a really steep hill, and then rode through more gravel and wet sand to lunch.

After lunch we took a group picture and then continued along a very rocky river bed for 4km. We then rode up to route 40 on a fairly steep, but  rideable incline.

Tonight we are staying in Beersheba. We had a gala dinner in Omer, but this was cut short due at the request of the police and the army. Although Hamas has not fully responded to the IDF's attacks, they are not taking any chances. Tomorrow, we will be bussed to the Jerusalem area for the final day of the ride.

Alyn Wheels of Love 2012: Day 3

Due to heavy rains last night and flooding in the Arava, there were a lot of changes to today's route. We left from the Maktesh Hakatan (small crater) at around 9:15. We rode towards Nachal Zin, which after the rains, is now flowing

We were supposed to continue south towards Nahal Amazia, but the trail was totally waterlogged. Instead, we headed back towards Route 90 with a full police escort. This allowed me to have my single moment of glory. I managed to make my way from the back of the pack to almost the front. Of course once we hit Nachal Amatzia, I gradually fell back. We rode for another 5km, and then stopped for lunch.

After lunch, we continued until the end of Nachal Amatzia. The trail was a mixture of sand, gravel and mud; which was fine for a while, but quickly became hard and tiresome. Apart from hitting a few gravel banks, I got through it unscathed.

We continued on a back rode to Hatzah. We rode a total of 70km. The weather today was excellent. We are sleeping tonight at Ein Yahav.

Alyn Wheels of Love 2012: Day 2

We left Arad this morning around 8:15. We headed south for 8.5km and took a brief break at. Mount Yahel. The terrain was very technical. The fact that all the worst sections were made worse by wind and rain.

The trail flattened out and the weather improved. After riding for 33km, we broke for lunch at Mount Tevaim. Of course, straight after lunch it started to rain. The terrain was a mix of flat and uphill/downhill technical.

The offroad ride ended at the Tzurin observation point. The enduro ride continued for another 7km. They are sleeping in tents. We are sleeping in the Hatzseva field school. They have wind and rain. We have showers and beds.

Alyn Wheels of Love 2012: Day 1

Today is the first day of the Wheels of Love ride. Since this blog was created as part of my fundraising efforts it seems the ideal place to post updates. 

At 9.30 there was a short opening ceremony led by the mayor of Arad. We then rode downhill until we hit Nachal Tszelim. After a short break for lunch, we headed back to Arad, a total distance of approximately 40km.

In terms of riding, the actual terrain wasn't that bad. What made riding difficult was the wind. In certain places, we were very exposed. It was hard to ride and try to avoid hitting other riders.

Apart from snapping my chain, my ride passed almost without incident. Luckily, one of the ride's mechanics was riding near me. He fixed my chain, and gave me a short lecture on how I shouldn't change gears while riding uphill.