The 2014 Israel Ride is almost here!!

I have not posted in this blog I quite some time, but as I prepare to leave for my third Israel Ride, it is time once again to put finger to keyboard.

My experience of this year's Ride will unavoidably be colored by events both personal and in the public domain.  In the public domain, we will be riding in the aftermath of this summer's conflict between Israel and Hamas.  People ask if I feel safe riding in Israel.  I have always felt safe in Israel.  Safer than in the streets of New York (ok, no a fair comparison, I really don't like New York).  But the route has been altered - we won't ride close to Gaza, and I will miss the Egyptian border road, that I understand has been closed the last two years.  But I have no concerns about our safety.

I don't plan to use this space to engage in political discussions.  Suffice it to say that no other nation would tolerate the bombardment that Hamas inflicted on Israel.  On the other hand, Israel must maintain the high road as she defends herself.  Rockets must be destroyed, tunnels found and eliminated, and civilian casualties minimized.  And Israel's settlement polices must reflect the goals of peace, not retaliation or provocation.  I have no words to describe the evil of Hamas.  But Israel can and must do better.

I much prefer to focus on positive initiatives.  And we need look no further than the Arava Institute for the example.  I was so moved over then summer when I read the reflections of the students at the Institute, and learned how they struggled but succeeded in maintaining their strong personal and professional ties, notwithstanding the conflict, the anger and the terrible tragedies on both sides.  There is no cause more worthy of our support.

On the personal side, my return to the Ride marks a triumph of sorts.  When I finished the Ride in 2012, I began a forced hiatus from cycling.  It was one last gesture in my negotiations with my urologist who was tracking a steadily rising PSA.  Perhaps a few months off the bike would calm things down, so to speak.  Unfortunately that was wishful thinking, and a subsequent biopsy showed that I had a fairly advanced case of prostate cancer.  No more watchful waiting for me.  I will spare you the unpleasant details of the surgery and recovery.  Enough to say that 16 months post surgery, my blood work couldn't be better, and I am fully recovered!  Once one becomes a cancer patient, I think you are always a cancer patient.  But as long as the only indignity I have to suffer is a blood test every six months, I will be very grateful indeed.

I was not much better at keeping a journal of my recovery than I am at keeping this blog current.  I just looked at my last journal entry.  It was a year ago.  September 29, 2013.  I had just finished the Rodman Ride for Kids, which is my other charity ride.   A Century ride here in Massachusetts.  It was great to be back in riding form ( though my doctor wanted me to wait a bit longer).  The last line of the entry was: "Can't wait for for the 2014 Israel Ride!"  And here we are!

The Ride is less than a month away.  I am excited beyond belief.  And thrilled that we have put together a team - mostly from my synagogue - we are the Lexington Minutemenschen!  I will try to be a faithful blogger this time.  Please join me on this incredible adventure.

Lester