Day 2 - There is always something new on the Israel Ride

October 25, 2018

Today dawned cool and breezy.  It would not stay cool - and breezy is to mild a term.  Riding out of Ashkelon is fun, since we have a bit of an fan crowd.  People walking to work, kids going to school, waving and cheering - they don’t often see a couple of hundred riders barreling through their city streets.  But soon enough we are out in the open road.  We haved a few miles of good steady rolling - and then the winds began to pick up.  As the day grew warmer, the winds kicked up, and then the sand stated blowing.  After 37 miles of blinding sandstorm, the police shut us down.  No more riding for today. A disappointing end to what was supposed to be our longest day riding.  Instead of pedaling, we spent about 3 hours sitting in a gas station rest stop waiting for the busses and bike trailers to get reorganized and rerouted to take us to our evening stop. As disappointed as we were, it was the right decision - it was incredibly hard to ride against the wind and sand, and really unsafe. At least we are a group of nice people who like to spend time together!

Here is the video of our shortened ride: https://www.relive.cc/view/g26128298952

And we are taken to Nitzana.  Which is a youth village high in the desert.  Full of interesting programs for kids from all walks of life.  Eritrean immigrants, ultra-orthodox, pre-army, post-army.  Worth exploring. http://www.jewishagency.org/jewish-social-action/program/214   

Some more disappointing news:  It is supposed to rain throughout the south tonight.  Although it will stop by morning,when it rains hard in the desert, there is a high risk of flash flooding.  In fact, we learned of a terrible tragedy earlier in the day.  A bus of children in Jordan (just next door), was swept away in a flash flood form this storm and it appears that up to 13 kids have died.  As a good neighbor, and in spite of the political tensions between the countries, Israel sent helicopters to help in the rescue.  But the army has pulled all permits for outdoor activity in the south. So we cannot ride.  One of the most beautiful days of riding on this trip has been cancelled.  Instead of riding along the Egyptian border, we are hoping they will at least let us take our bus there.  

Tomorrow is Friday, and we will spend Shabbat in Mitzpeh Ramon - and the edge of Makhtesh Ramon - the largest erosion crater on earth - visible from space!  (More on that later, perhaps).  We are talking about some impromptu rides on Saturday to make up a little for the lost time.

I know that the weather is beyond our control, but I am bitterly disappointed.  There is an Israeli phrase in Hebrew - y’he-yeh tov.  It will be good (better).  So that’s how I will close.  Y’he-yeh tov.

Lhitra-to