Monday morning dawned cool and clear. This is the last day of the Ride. It begins with a challenging 6 miles - back the way we came yesterday. A gradual climb from Kibbutz Ketura a couple of miles, then a left turn and 4 miles of steep climbing. What was a thrilling descent yesterday is a grueling slow climb today.
It took less than 10 minutes down and almost an hour up... but it is an accomplishment. The staff is wonderful - they are staged at strategic switchbacks with drums and music to cheer us on. (I have not written about the photographers or the website that this photo came from.)
It took less than 10 minutes down and almost an hour up... but it is an accomplishment. The staff is wonderful - they are staged at strategic switchbacks with drums and music to cheer us on. (I have not written about the photographers or the website that this photo came from.)
After a rest at the top, we start rolling towards the Egyptian border.
The desert landscape brings an endless expanse of stark and stunning views. My pace has slowed after days of riding, but it seems we have all slowed down a bit, but it gives us the opportunity to chat some more, and ride with folks we have not seen so much earlier in the ride. And then suddenly we see the border. I have written before about the border fence that Israel has constructed. When I first came on the Ride, the fence was a mere stretch of chainlink and barbed wire. The desert expanse on the Egyptian side provided sufficient security; but then there was the influx of migrants from Africa fleeing violence there. On the Egyptian side, they shot to kill. On the Israeli side, migrants were given shelter and food - but it was a terrible security and humanitarian problem. The solution was controversial. A new fence that stretches from Gaza to Eilat. It is formidable, and has solved the migration problem - but it is an ecological disaster. Animals, who know no borders, can no longer migrate through their natural habitat. Another example of a human intervention that will have unknown consequences and potential environmental damage that cannot be calculated.
The desert landscape brings an endless expanse of stark and stunning views. My pace has slowed after days of riding, but it seems we have all slowed down a bit, but it gives us the opportunity to chat some more, and ride with folks we have not seen so much earlier in the ride. And then suddenly we see the border. I have written before about the border fence that Israel has constructed. When I first came on the Ride, the fence was a mere stretch of chainlink and barbed wire. The desert expanse on the Egyptian side provided sufficient security; but then there was the influx of migrants from Africa fleeing violence there. On the Egyptian side, they shot to kill. On the Israeli side, migrants were given shelter and food - but it was a terrible security and humanitarian problem. The solution was controversial. A new fence that stretches from Gaza to Eilat. It is formidable, and has solved the migration problem - but it is an ecological disaster. Animals, who know no borders, can no longer migrate through their natural habitat. Another example of a human intervention that will have unknown consequences and potential environmental damage that cannot be calculated.
We stop for lunch, with all riders together - take lots of group photos,and begin the last leg - some rolling hills before the final descent into Eilat - a 6 mile descent that brings us to the shores of the Red Sea.
The downhill begins high in the mountains, with valley walls on either side - until a final turn and the white city of Eilat appears - with the sea and the Jordanian city of Aqaba in the distance. We ride to the beach, hoist our bikes in celebration,
have a couple of beers, then pack our bikes....
The downhill begins high in the mountains, with valley walls on either side - until a final turn and the white city of Eilat appears - with the sea and the Jordanian city of Aqaba in the distance. We ride to the beach, hoist our bikes in celebration,
have a couple of beers, then pack our bikes....
And all of a sudden, the Ride is over. We have a final celebration, exchange hugs, and begin to disperse. Some riders are leaving right away, some are extending their stays with trips all over the country. I will be going to Kibbutz Ketura for a deep dive into the Arava Institute. More on that later.
As usual, it will take me some time to process this experience, and I will try to continue posting my thoughts. Until then,
L’hitra-ot
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