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Just back from working there and managed to fit in a few days holiday and some cycling. Didnt have the chance for much mountain biking but had a nice ride that started in the valley of rephaim and the went from there in the judean hills.
The road biking was excellent too, was really surprised at the quality of the road (i think the main route has recently been relaid by an aid agency) - Did Jerusalem -> Bethlehem -> Massada then back along to Jericho -> Jerusalem. Hilly and very hot (unbearably hot at times) but what an experience. I was riding solo which i knew was not the most sensible of things to do considering the climate and political situation so hired a taxi for $150 and used that as a support car with a coolbox with drinks, food etc in the boot and i would meet up with that every few miles. Definitely recommend it and in the future hope to make it back - would be good location for some winter touring, and would like to go up and around the Sea of Galilee next time.
Wow.
I don't often suffer from envy, but that sounds a terrific ride.
i got to this bit:
...hired a taxi for $150 and used that as a support car with a coolbox with drinks, food etc...
and thought 'chuffing nora!'
but, after my yorkshire gland had calmed down a bit, i realised that it's really quite a simple, sensible, and really not that expensive idea.
any photo's?
when i lived in eilat when i was 18 i didn't ride there 🙁
and thought 'chuffing nora!'but, after my yorkshire gland had calmed down a bit, i realised that it's really quite a simple, sensible, and really not that expensive idea.
any photo's
I'm usually a bit of a cheapskate so would normally not be so extravagent but i figured if i hadn't been cycling that day i'd still have needed to hire a taxi for the day to go and see the sights so figured i wasn't spending any more than i would have otherwise been. Quickly started to feel like a bargain everytime i stopped to refill the bottles.
Unfortunately no pictures - had a bit of an altercation the day before which resulted in my camera getting thrown down a hillside!
I will not be supporting the Israeli economy with my money nor via tourism
+1 for Junkyard. There are plenty of other places to spend your money that aren't ethnicly cleansing their populations.
APF
+1 Don't want my money going towards murdering civilians and children so I would choose somewhere else to spend my money.
I've just started researching cycle tours in Israel, have always wanted to visit. Led tours seems expensive, how practical is it to do on your own, with about 3 words of Hebrew ?? And how safe for women on their own ??
Not that i need to justify it but while i was staying in Jerusalem (and really enjoyed my time there) the main reason for the trip was for a couple of projects in Nablus and Ramallah.
Perhaps my time would have been spent more effectively if i had stayed at home and moaned about one side or the other on an internet forum - the region could really do with some more of that to sort all their problems out.
Piffle. Look how well international shunning is working for the populations of North Korea, or Burma, for example. 😐
I will not be supporting the Israeli economy with my money nor via tourism
Well done you. But why spoil a thread about cycling in an unusual place, on what is, after all, a cycling forum? Troll on your own thread.
Whilst I share your sentiments, it doesn't stop me being quite interested in someone riding in an unusual place. I'm fairly sure that there are a lot of moderate Jews, just as there are equally moderate Muslims, neither of whom agree with their own respective governments' policies.
Perhaps my time would have been spent more effectively if i had stayed at home and moaned about one side or the other on an internet forum - the region could really do with some more of that to sort all their problems out.
Good on ya! JY is one of the more tedious trolls on here - don't let him get you down.
But back to the thread - Omar - any advice for solo lady cyclists ? Is English generally spoken ?
I've just started researching cycle tours in Israel, have always wanted to visit. Led tours seems expensive, how practical is it to do on your own, with about 3 words of Hebrew ?? And how safe for women on their own ??
That is 2 words more than me. I didnt have any problems with the language as English is very widespread. Normally if i go to a country not knowing the language i put a bit of effort in to learn at least a few words before going (or while there) just for courtesy sake. But i never got round to that this time, shalom is all i know in hebrew (which is at least a bit usuable - my only arabic word is jihad!)
I'm not sure about women on their own - generally it felt ok, i was a bit apprehensive before going but it never felt dangerous. However my experiences could be different to that of a woman. From what i've read the likes of Tel Aviv are comparable to a typical beach resort in Europe in terms of dress and attitude but in Jerusalem and the West Bank people tend to be a bit more conservative and dress a bit more modestly (men too). I dont mean like being forced to wear certain clothes just that if you were cycle touring and wearing shorts then you might not be allowed entry into a few religious sites or monuments (I couldnt get into the church of the nativity for that reason).
Cheers Omar - with shalom actually thats 4 words - practically a local !
I think this might be quite an adventure...
without turning this into a row israel is a fantastic place - Ive been there loads of times (my other half's dad lives there) and have cycled in most places - there are some great trails in the mountains (usually used by the 4x4 clubs there) - but you were wise to go with the cab idea - being stuck and stranded miles from anywhere in 100plus heat is not ideal...
And if anyones interested your average israeli is just like you and I, I dont think Ive actually been to a friendlier country. Dont judge everyone by what you see on the news or read in the papers...
JY is one of the more tedious trolls on here
No he's not. You are. So shut up.
Maybe Omar has learned stuff about stuff on his trip which he might otherwise have not had he stayed at home and gone on the internet instead.
I have bin invited to Israel, but have declined for ethical reasons, as I do not wish to visit a country with a nasty brutal xenophobic regime.
But then, I already live in one, so tbh, what's the point in sanctimony?
I'd love to visit a fair few places which are pretty 'dangerous'; Afghanistan, Iran, Manchester, bits of Russia, South America etc.
Don't fancy getting killed and that though. 🙁
Israel is the nicest place I've ever been deported from.
And if anyones interested your average israeli is just like you and I, I dont think Ive actually been to a friendlier country.
You missed out, as long as your not an Arab
so hired a taxi for $150 and used that as a support car with a coolbox with drinks, food etc in
Fine idea, great effort and thanks for the report.
Cheers
I think Israel would be a fascinating place to visit.
Elfin - nail on head. And given British Colonial history...
thats sounds awesome but as already said do you have any pics you can post?
I don't see how pointing out that Israel's behaviour is deplorable is trolling.
The whole problem with the Israel situation is that you can't criticise Israel without being labelled anti-semitic.
I for one do not buy any product labelled as coming from Israel.
I imagine a lot of the people are lovely and don't hate the arab world, but there clearly isn't enough of them or enough will to change the regimes approach to the arab world.
You would have thought the Jewish nation would have remembered what been forced in to a walled ghetto and denied basics produce and materials would be like...
Good on ya! JY is one of the more tedious trolls on here - don't let him get you down.
I dont troll on here - my views are so fantastically out of touch I dont need to put in the effort.
But why spoil a thread about cycling in an unusual place, on what is, after all, a cycling forum?
Your post is the one discussing issues other than cycling in Israel why am I the "spolier" or the troll? - its rhetorical dont reply
You missed out, as long as your not an Arab
because its not true of the whole country... I've seen palestinian teens and young adults coming over and spending time in clubs, parties and outside raves (I guess they were) - everyone was mixing freely having fun, no one actually cared if you were from israel or sneaked around / over/ under a fence or baricade to be there.
Theres hope in the youth of both countries...
Next time Im over there I hope to take a ride over to jordan and petra, looks amazing...
enough already you douchebags
No not enough already, let people discuss things if they want to. Or is Freedom of Speech not allowed any more?
Theres hope in the youth of both countries...
Insha'Allah.
i boycott any goods that i see coming from Isreal.
infact, most of my friends do, too. and we're in Germany. that must make us Nazis
JAWOHL!