12-22-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren, leaving from by the coffee shop near Mishmar HaSharon.  We headed a little bit south first until we could turn onto Hwy 4 and start riding north.  At some point, we met up with Rotem, and not too long after that I got a flat.  While fixing it, I think I damaged the inner tube and ended up having to use my back-up.  Frustrating!  I was feeling okay and had a couple of decent stretches where I pushed my pace.  We rode out to the coffee shop by Zichron Yaakov and stopped for a break.  As I remember, it was a little cool but not raining.  On the way back, I got out in front and missed the turnoff where Rotem headed home.  I waited for Oren to catch up, then he and I put in a good pace to get back to the cars, so I wouldn't be too late for church.

Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 30.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 650'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3296577688

12-21-2018 Ride

Common looping ride, heading out Ben Zvi and the 44 all the way to the 40, then turning north and riding up to the 461.  Back to the 412, where I turned to reconnect to the 44 and ride home.  Wind was generally favorable for this ride, more brisk later in the ride when it helped push me back home.

Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 30.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 690'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3295619119

12-14-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  First ride after returning from our trip back to San Diego.  Over to Ben Zvi, then down the 44 to the 412, turning right and riding over to the 4311, which took me down to Palmahim, a great place to stop, admire the sea, and then turn around.  Retraced my route from there.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 32.2 mi

Total elevation gain = 1220'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3287250925

12-01-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Looks like a modified time trial route, leaving from the Radisson where we were staying while in town.  Not sure if anybody else joined on this ride.    Over to W Bernardo Dr, taking it down to Duenda Rd.  From there, it was the time trial route back to the starting point.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 16.9 mi

Total elevation gain = 940'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3272590645

11-30-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Looks like we were staying at the Radisson while in town for Jenny's and Zac's wedding, and I think I had borrowed Jim's bike.  Not sure if anybody else rode with me.  Headed over to Via Tazon and then to RB Rd, turning left and riding over to Camino del Sur.  To San Dieguito Rd, turning there and riding down to El Camino Real.  Over to Via de la Valle, using it to get to the coast, and taking the Coast Hwy through Del Mar, turning left onto Carmel Valley Rd and then getting over to the 56 bike path via El Camino Real.  Back to Camino del Sur, turning there and riding up to Carmel Valley Rd, taking a right.  Stayed on this road on the climb up Bernardo Center Dr.  Then back to the starting point via W Bernardo Dr.  Looks like it was a fun ride.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 33.4 mi

Total elevation gain = 2360'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3271552327

11-17-2018 Ride

Ride from Netanya with Oren, heading out to Hwy 4 the normal way and taking it to the 651, where we headed east through the industrial park in Caesarea.  To the 652 and then a surface street to get to the 6502, which changes into the 6403.  We turned right on the 574 and rode for a short time before turning onto the 581.  Oren was slower than usual, especially when we weren't riding on the flats.  So we rode on Hwy 9 back to Hwy 4, cutting some distance off.  Stopped at the same coffee place as last week, then we took roads through a Moshav instead of going back to Hwy 4.  Finally connected with the highway and headed back the normal route.  I felt fine, not so fast and my heartrate showed me that my fitness is lower.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 40.6 mi
Avg heartrate = ~140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1080'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3252262297

11-10-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren and Slavik from normal starting place in Netanya.  I took it easy for most of this ride, not comfortable with my old cleats and shoes, since they don't release easily at all from the pedals.  We headed out to the 57 and stayed on it this time, going to the 5714 and heading north to get to the 5803.  At some point, we met up with Rotem and rode to the 581, turning west to head to Hwy 4.  As we got close, it started to sprinkle, and it soon turned into rain and then heavy rain.  We rode like this for about 20 min before it slowed and then stopped.  Had a break at a coffee shop in Mishmar HaSharon before heading back to the starting point.  Energy was there today, but not the motivation, so I mostly hung with Slavik and kept my pace moderate.

Avg speed = 15.4 mph. Total mileage = 29.0 mi
Avg heartrate = ~125 bpm
Total elevation gain = 870'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3242656186

11-09-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Headed initially by the stadium to Shlabim, turning there and getting onto Ben Zvi to head southeast on the 44.  To the 412, where I turned right and rode for just a little longer before turning around, not sure why.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 12.0 mi

Total elevation gain = 370'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3231876034

11-03-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  This looks like a partial route, since it starts from up north by the coast at the level of Park Hayarkon.  Started with a small loop on surface streets heading north toward where the Hwy 5 interchange is with Hyw 2 before turning around and riding back on those streets until getting to the Tayellet and following it by the old airport, through the Port shopping area and back along the coast to Yerushalaim to finish it off.

Avg speed = 14.6 mph. Total mileage = 9.1 mi

Total elevation gain = 140'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3231876034

11-02-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, starting at 6:00 and taking advantage of the early sunrise.  Out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, where I turned south to keep from having to ride into the sun.  Out through Rishon Letzion, Nes Ziona, and Rehovot to the 40, where I again turned south and rode until the outskirts of Gedera before turning around.  Back on the 40 to the 44, then I rode home the normal way.  Felt good throughout the ride, not a scorching pace but a decent steady one.  On an unfortunate note, the plastic on my pedal broke and I couldn't clip in any more.  New pedals needed, which is a bummer.

Avg speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 41.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 138 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1190'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3230520739

10-27-2018 Ride

This was a disappointing day.  The Shanti Ride was supposed to take place, but rocket fire from southern Gaza raised security concerns that caused the State Police to cancel it.  Bummer.  So I ended up riding solo from home out Ben Zvi to the 44 and then to the 424.  Before I made this turn, I passed a couple of other riders who also had planned on being in the Shanti Ride.  I passed them but they caught up and rode on my wheel for awhile.  We traded leads for several miles until I got out in front on a longer slight incline.  The guy rider caught up with me after a downhill section, and we rode together to the junction with Hwy 3.  I kept going to connect to the 44 and head back, feeling better on the return ride, with the help of a tailwind and stronger legs.  On the way back, I decided to add a little distance by taking a road toward Rishon Letzion and eventually connecting to the 412 to head back.  It was a really nice day for riding, a little breezy but nearly perfect temperature.  Home the normal route.

Avg speed = 17.7 mph. Total mileage = 50.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1780'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3220910674

10-20-2018 Ride

Posted long after the actual ride.  This was my last big training ride before the next weekend's planned Bet HaShanti ride, which ended up getting canceled.  The route was fairly simple, heading out Ben Zvi to the 44 and taking it all the way past Hwy 3, with the climb before dropping down to the 38.  I headed southwest here, turning left onto the 3855 to get over to the 3866, which climbs up to Nes Harim.  So this was a challenging ride, for sure.  I rode all the way to the 386, where I turned around and retraced my route.  Average speed was pretty good, so I must have been feeling okay about my readiness for the next weekend's ride.

Avg speed = 14.9 mph. Total mileage = 71.8 mi

Total elevation gain = 4400'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3208069186

10-19-2018 Ride

This was a ride designed to get miles in, more than anything else.  I headed out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412.  At the beginning of the ride my legs were tired but doing okay.  To the 461, using it to connect to the 40 and heading north.  Up To K'far Saba, where the 40 ends, and I continued on the 5504 to get to 25 miles before turning around and retracing my route.  On the way back, my legs started tiring out, especially once I got back to the 44.  So it was slower than I had hoped.

Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 50.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

Total elevation gain = 980'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3209294254

10-19-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  This looks like a training ride to get miles in for the upcoming Bet HaShanti ride.  Headed out Ben Zvi to the 44, then to the 412 to get to the 461, and over the the 40, heading north there.  Stayed on this road into Petah Tikva, turning to stay on the 40 and into the outskirts of Kfar Sava.  At the end of the 40, I turned right onto the 55 and rode it until turning off onto the 5504.  Rode until I got to 25 miles, then I turned around and retraced my route back home.  This route comes close to the border of the West Bank but stays on the Israel side.

Avg speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 50.2 mi

Total elevation gain = 980'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3209294254

10-16-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Run through the neighborhood and up the Tayellet past the Dolphinarium, to get a little more distance in, then retracing my route back.

Elapsed time = 24:54

Total distance = 3.07 mi

Elevation gain = 61'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3202398733

10-13-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren and Slavik from normal starting spot in Netanya, taking usual route out to the 57 and then on Hwy 4 heading north.  I felt better, at least at the start, than I had the previous day, and several times I pushed the pace to give my legs an extra workout.  Out past Hadera, turning right on the 651 and following a similar route to what we did last Friday.  Slight uphill until we got to a roundabout, turning right onto the 652, then we took a couple of surface streets, HaYogev St and Ahuza St, until we turned right onto the 6502, which turns into the 6403.  We rode it out to the 574, a short stretch on this road until we turned right onto the 581.  We stayed on this road until we got to the 5803, which we have frequently ridden on.  Same with the 5714, which we took southwest until we got onto the 57 to head back to Netanya.  Stopped at Landwer for coffee before heading back to the starting point.  My legs were tired on the 57 section so I had to slow it down, particularly when the road inclined.

Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage = 43.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 130 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1130'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3197728876

10-12-2018 Ride

This was not a good day on the bike.  I wanted to get a long ride in, so I planned to go out toward Bet Guvrin in an out and back.  Even from the start, I could tell I didn't have a lot of energy, and I couldn't figure out why.  So it was generally slower on the 44, especially on the climbs to get to the 38.  I did okay on most of the ride to the 35, which is where I turned around.  No real wind to deal with, so it's a mystery about how I did.  The climbs on the way back were tough, and I really slowed down on all of them near the top, just no push in my legs.  The worst part of the ride was on the way back, where I was wiped out, in calorie deficit, and having to deal with a headwind coming from the west.  My muscles were tired and my right quad balked a little bit, but I was going so slow that it held up.  Here's hoping it was just an off day.  Otherwise, the Bet HaShanti ride is going to be interesting.

Avg speed = 15.7 mph. Total mileage = 81.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 145 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4700'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3196352101

10-08-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Run through the neighborhood over to the Tayellet, then up to the Dolphinarium before coming back on the path parallel to Kaufmann and then by Yerushalaim.

Elapsed time = 19:10

Total distance = 2.32 mi

Elevation gain = 45'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3188807926

10-05-2018 Ride

Ride from Netanya with Oren and his Scitex buddy David, starting about 6:40.  Out the normal way to the 57 and connecting to Hwy 4 going north.  We rode through Hadera and turned right onto the 651, heading generally east through some neighborhoods and eventually connecting to the 581 heading back south and then west.  Just before its junction with Hwy 4, we turned off to go to a cafe called Jacob's Cheeses, where we had coffee and some baked goods.  Very good!  From there, we got back to Hwy 4 and retraced our route, riding slower on the slight uphill grades but making it back in decent shape.  I felt fine in my legs but saw that my cardio needs more work.

Avg speed = 17 mph. Total mileage = 41.3 mi
Avg heartrate = ~140 bpm (est)
Total elevation gain = 880'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3184194082

09-25-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Run through the neighborhood up the Tayellet to the Dolphinarium and back, adding a little distance by going further into the neighborhood on the way back before heading home.

Elapsed time = 22:30

Total distance = 2.67 mi

Elevation gain = 44'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3165192001

09-24-2018 Ride

Solo ride, originally planned to ride with Oren but he was not feeling well.  So I drove out to a gas station near Pedaya off the 44 and started from there.  No definite idea of where I was going to ride, other than toward Bet Shemesh.  Out the 44 to the 38, heading southwest and feeling decent.  The ride out was a series of gradual climbs and fairly sharp downhills.  It felt good on the way out, even on the climbs.  I rode out to Bet Guvrin and stopped at a gas station for a drink and a candy bar before turning around a retracing the route.  This is when I found out why the climbing section was good; I rode back into something of a headwind that made it more difficult than expected.  It was good practice to have this extra effort needed.  There were two climbs on the way back that were challenging due to their steepness, but I made it up and over.  The last section was mostly downhill and welcome.

Avg speed = 15.5 mph. Total mileage = 50.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3810'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3163278409

09-23-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, getting a little bit of a late start and modifying my original plans of doing more climbing.  Instead, I headed out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 40, then headed north.  I was riding easy but not pushing it, seemed like a low energy day.  I turned right on the 441 and rode about 5 mi toward Modi'in, then turned around and rode back to the 40, heading north again to the 461 before turning and heading back toward home via the 412 to the 44.  This was a mileage ride, no real effort other than the 5 mi gradual uphill on the 441.  Heartrate shows decent cardio level.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 40.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 115 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1120'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3161645572

09-22-2018 Ride

Ride, starting in Yehud, with the cycling group that Dror Regianno rides with.  We got onto the 461, took it to the 40, and headed south.  Everything was going well, I was riding toward the back of the pack and the pace was steady but not fast.  As we neared Lod, the group slowed for a red light, and one of the riders suddenly went down, taking the two riders just behind her down as well.  I was next but luckily I just had time to brake and avoid running into them.  Two of the riders had facial abrasions and cuts and weren't in good shape.  An ambulance came and took them away for treatment and a few stitches.  After a long discussion, the group decided, correctly, to turn around and head back.  So it was a short, but eventful, ride.  Luckily, nobody was badly injured, just some cuts that should heal without too much cosmetic effect.

Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 10.9 mi
Total elevation gain = 170'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3159591583

09-21-2018 Ride

Solo ride, getting off to an early start and originally intending to ride out toward Kfar Sava.  I rode for less than a mile before realizing I had forgotten my water bottles.  I decided to keep going and buy some water on the way.  After I crossed over the Ayalon Hwy, I realized that I wasn't wearing my helmet.  Not smart!  This time, I turned around, rode home, and got my helmet and some water.  I modified the route to head out Ben Zvi and the 44 until I reached Karmei Yosef, then turn around and retrace this route home.  I stopped at the turnaround point for a short break, ate a banana, then really motored back, helped by a favorable tailwind and a general downhill slope.  Well over 20 mph avg on the return trip.

Avg speed = 18.0 mph. Total mileage = 41.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 1260'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3158002141

09-20-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Run through the neighborhood to the Tayellet, then up to the Dolphinarium and back.

Elapsed time = 21:01

Total distance = 2.44 mi

Elevation gain = 41'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3156151981

09-19-2018 Ride

Well, this ride started well and ended poorly.  On Yom Kippur, I decided to ride up the coast on the freeway and then back.  Out Kibbutz Galuyot to the Ayalon, heading north until it connected with Hwy 2.  I felt good and made good time, not noticing how much a tailwind was helping me along.  The ride up was generally uneventful, saw some cyclists and tried to keep up with the faster ones.  I turned around at the 5710 overpass and started heading back, and this is when it became really difficult.  The wind didn't seem strong until I was pedaling into it.  I had a banana just at the turnaround point, then started slogging back, and that's what it felt like the entire time.  Even the slight inclines felt like bigger hills.  Stayed on the 2 past Herzliya and then got back onto the Ayalon.  By this time, I was really feeling it, so my pace was slow.  More people were out by this time.  Back via Kibbutz Galuyot, and I was really glad to be done on this ride.

Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 50.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1160'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3154123210

09-18-2018 Ride

Ride on the first day of 2 weeks off, the loop from Ben Zvi/44 to the 40 to the 461 to the 412 and back to the 44.  I had a rear flat about 2 miles into the ride.  Other than that, it was uneventful.

Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 31.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 131 bpm
Total elevation gain = 700'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3152162266

09-15-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren and Slavik from Netanya starting point, heading east and north the normal way and riding up to Hwy 9, where we turned east.  We got over to the 581 and headed south and then west, turning onto the 5803 to keep going south.  Had to turn left at one point to stay on the 5803, which I have ridden on before.  Onto the 5714, heading south to the 57, which we took west until turning left onto the 5613 to ride through several neighborhoods.  Several other roads until we got to the 562 running south, which is a nice stretch of road.  Down to the 553 to get back toward Netanya.  We stopped at the Arcaffe by the Ikea store before heading back to the starting point.  My heartrate was measurably lower on this ride as a result of the lower level of effort and improved cardio fitness.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 41.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 120 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1100'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3146177764

09-14-2018 Ride

Ride from home, intending to keep the pace moderate.  Out Kibbutz Galuyot to the 461 and to the 40, heading north.  Legs felt stronger.  I rode out to Petah Tikva and had to stop to fix a rear flat tire.  So I decided to lower the mileage.  Rode a little further before turning around and riding back the same way until I got to the 412.  Over to the 44 and then home the generally normal route, except passing by the stadium.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 33.3 mi
Avg heartrate = 120 bpm
Total elevation gain = 720'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3144498445

9-11-2018 Ride

Ride from in front of B10 at work with Zvika and Dror, on Rosh HaShana holiday.  We originally planned to start around 6:00, and others (Nir A., Yossi S.) were scheduled to join us.  However, they backed out and we started a little later as it got lighter.  Out Begin Blvd to the 40, where he headed north.  The first piece was slower as the others loosened up, but it was high speed once we got to the 40.  I felt okay and was able to hang with them, but it was a workout.  Over to the 44, where we headed southeast to the 424 and rode to Latrun.  On this section, we formed a loose pace line and it was fairly efficient for a little while.  Headed southwest on Hwy 3, and this was a very fast stretch.  Dror was quite strong throughout the ride, and he really dropped the hammer here, getting into aero position and pushing hard.  All I could do was follow him, looking for little opportunities to lead out for a short push and then falling back in line.  We rode down to the 40 and continued south to the turnoff for Kiryat Gat, where we headed west on the 35 before turning north on the 232.  It eventually connected to Hwy 3, so we started heading back, connecting to the 40.  By this time, I was running out of water, so we ended up stopping for about 10 min before the turnoff to Hwy 3.  Then it was a power run on the 40 back to Rehovot, legs were tired but muscles held up and I was able to draft off the others and stay with them.  Back to the site on Begin Blvd, felt good at the end but it was definitely enough riding for one day for me, in my current shape.

Avg speed = 19.1 mph. Total mileage = 74.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 149 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2240'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3138236653

09-09-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning where I had to overcome the urge to lower the mileage from my original target of 50 mi.  Out Ben Zvi to the 44, turning onto the 424 to ride to Latrun.  This is a gradual 7 mi climb with one spot of downhill in it, not steep but steady.  Out to the 3, where I turned right and rode back to the 44.  By this time, I was committed to the distance, so to get more miles in I turned left and rode up and down to Kfar Uriyya before turning around.  On the way back on the 44, it took me just a little over an hour to return, with a favorable tailwind and legs that felt okay.  They were definitely tired at the end, worked out more than they had been in a while.

Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 52.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2070'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3134287861

09-08-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, taking Ben Zvi and the 44 out to the 412 and turning south.  Through Rishon Letzion and then turning onto the 4311, riding down to the beach at Palmahim.  The road was paved now and in good shape, and this was a nice out-and-back route.  Felt some tiredness in my legs on the return trip but was able to push the pedals pretty well.

Avg speed = 18.0 mph. Total mileage = 32.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 144 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1140'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3132389263

09-07-2018 Ride

Solo ride, leaving home a little before 6:30 and heading out Ben Zvi to the 44, heading to and through downtown Ramle and connecting to the 40 heading south.  This ride out seemed like it was more generally into the wind, and it was similar on the stretch riding the 40.  Out past the Paratroopers memorial until I was at about 20 mi, then I turned around and rode back to the 411.  This stretch was fairly fast, with a slight tailwind to help me along.  Right on the 42, again a fast stretch, taking it to the road that connected me back to the 421 through Rishon Letzion and to the 44.  It was a generally fast ride back home with the wind helping me.  Legs were a little tired and the sun came out toward the end.  Before that, it was cloudy and cooler as a result, still humid.

Avg speed = 17.7 mph. Total mileage = 41.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 141 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1230'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3130669657

09-01-2018 Ride

Drove over to meet Oren in Netanya and pick up my bike after the repairs, which also included a new chain and new cables and cable plastic shields.  We headed out of the neighborhood the normal way, up to Hwy 4 where we headed south and met up first with Rotem and then with Dan.  We continued south until we got to a turnoff just past the prison, same roads we had ridden a couple of weeks ago.  At one point, Rotem got separated from us, so I turned around and caught up with him, we got the four of us back together pretty easily.  We then headed back north, turning at the same point as the previous ride and, I think, following generally the same roads as before.  At one point, however, we split with Dan and took off on a new section of road that hadn't yet been opened to cars, very nice.  Maybe it was the continuation of the 562.  We rode through Burgeta and eventually connected to the 5711, stopping at the Aroma Cafe by the Paz gas station on Hwy 4.  From there, after the break and splitting with Rotem, it was a short ride back to the starting point.  I also got a nice set of "Oakley" sunglasses and lenses from Oren, don't know why he was giving them away (the frames are rainbow-colorored, maybe that's why).  Felt okay on this ride, not with much sustainable push in my legs.  More miles needed.


Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 42.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 134 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1270'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3118299211

08-25-2018 Ride

Ride from Netanya starting point with Oren and Slavik.  Before I started with them, I was riding around slowly and got stopped unexpectedly at a curb, falling over pretty heavily on my hip.  I also found out later that I bent the hangar for my rear derailleur, which was a real bummer.  Switching gears on this ride was messy, but I was lucky because the course was fairly flat and I didn't have to switch a lot.  We headed out of the neighborhood the normal way and got onto Hwy 4 going north.  Up to the 581, where we turned right and followed this road to the 5803, again roads that we have ridden before.  I was generally riding with the others, not pushing the pace.  We turned right onto the 5714 and rode it south to the 57, then heading back into Netanya.  To put a few extra km on the ride, we rode around this little loop in a wooded section before exiting and stopping to get coffee.  A small ride back to the car, where Oren offered to take my bike to his mechanic and get the frame looked at.  All in all, not my brightest day.

Avg speed = 15 mph. Total mileage = 32.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 125 bpm
Total elevation gain = 900'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3103807444

08-24-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning, getting a later start because of a previous late night.  Out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, taking it through Rishon and Nes Ziona to ride by work and onto Menachem Begin Rd.  Out to the 40, where I headed north to connect back to the 44.  I took a little detour through Ramla, and then rode back home the normal way.  No real drive to ride hard or fast on this day.

Avg speed = 17.0 mph. Total mileage = 31.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 130 bpm
Total elevation gain = 990'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3101989834

08-18-2018 Ride

Solo ride, starting about 6:30, and heading out Ben Zvi to the 44.  I rode out to about mile 18 and then turned around.  There were some riders on the last stretch, and I was able to catch and pass them all. It did force me to ride harder myself, which was a good thing.  On the return trip, I had a general downhill and something of a tailwind until I got closer to the coast.  A short jog near the end, over to Shalma Rd, to get a little extra distance.

Avg speed = 17.5 mph  Total distance = 36.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1120'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3089066119

08-17-2018 Ride

Solo ride, initially up the coast through the port area and onto the bike trail to get onto roads that took me to Hwy 2, which I rode on for a short period before getting off and riding on the 541, and some other roads, generally heading north and east.  I eventually got up to Weizman St, which turns into Ben Yehuda St as it heads east.  At one point, I stopped to look at my map and figure out how to get over to the 40.  I took a couple of streets and came out at an intersection I recognized, having ridden to it from the other direction a number of times.  That was weird.  From there, I rode back on the 40 to the 461 and then home via Kibbutz Galuyot.  Route ended up being longer than I had originally planned, but I felt fine throughout.

Before the ride, I put a new battery in my heartrate sensor belt, and it worked much better.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 39.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 130 bpm
Total elevation gain = 900'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3087297121

08-11-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren, Slavik, and another guy, Dan, leaving from normal meeting spot in Netanya.  We met up with the other two riders along the route.  This time, we rode on the 57 to the Hwy 4 intersection and headed south.  Down to the 551, where we turned right and rode by a field where powered paragliders were taking off and landing.  After awhile we turned around an retraced our route to the 5511, which is apparently a very popular little route for cyclists, who have created a criterium circuit.  We follow the circuit and then kept going, eventually looping back and heading to the 551, turning left and riding to the 5522.  Then it was through a series of villages in this area until we headed back to Hwy 4 and turned south.  We stopped in Even Yehuda for a cold drink and a short rest, then finished the short run back to the starting point.  I felt good at times but sore at others from the previous day's events.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 37.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 1190'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3074641519

08-10-2018 Ride

Got a later start on this solo morning ride, slept a little later than planned.  Started around 6:30, headed out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, turning toward the airport.  I turned onto a road past the Hyw 1 overpass that took me by the airport, eventually connecting with the 4404, which took me to the 40.  I didn't know where I was here, so I stopped and had to retrace my route a little bit.  I got onto a roundabout at low speed and dropped my bike, thankfully at low speed, when I hit a slippery patch of water.  Heading south on the 40, I felt good enough to continue heading east on the 443, on a generally uphill sloping road.  I rode by the Mitzpeh Modiin and turned here, riding on the road until the pavement ended before retracing my route.  Then I continued on the 443 until I got to the outskirts of Modiin, where I turned around and rode back to the 40.  The wind and the slope both helped, so this was a fun stretch.  Used the 40 to connect to the 44, and the southbound stretch had some headwind to deal with.  Once I got onto the 44, the wind was again a help until I got close to the coast, again it was welcome.  Legs felt fine at the end, average speed wasn't what I would have hoped, but I felt okay on the steady climb up to Modiin.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 45.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 1760'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3072841246

08-04-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Looks like a solo route, heading over to Ben Zvi and taking it and the 44 out to the 412, where I turned left and rode over to the 461.  Took that road to the 40, heading south from there to get back to the 44.  From there, it was a straight shot back home on the 44 and Ben Zvi.

Avg speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 30.7 mi

Total elevation gain = 690'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3060084367

07-28-2018 Ride

Solo ride, thinking that I might ride with Zvika and/or Nir A.  I didn't hear any details on Friday, so I planned my own route, leaving from the Nachson Junction and heading on the 44 toward Bet Shemesh.  Headed south on Hwy 3 before turning onto the 3855 and following it all the way up to Nes Harim and beyond, finally turning around at the intersection with the 375.  The steady grade of the worst part of the Nes Harim climb was grueling, I struggled more here than in the previous times I'd ridden it, but I made it to the top feeling pretty good, legs weren't toasted.  Nice stretch after that to the 375, and then I enjoyed the general downhill back to the 44 before suffering, just a little, on that 1 mile climb just after the turn.  I tried to ride with a large group that caught me at the top of that hill, but they lost me about 1.5 miles later.  Still, I found that my legs were responsive, just not enough depth in my cadence.  More climbing and/or longer distances needed.

Avg speed = 14.6 mph. Total mileage = 34.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 3650'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3045261565

07-27-2018 Ride

Posted much later than the ride.  Probably a solo ride, starting by heading south on Yerushalaim into Bat Yam, following city streets to get over to the 441, then heading east into Rishon LeTsion until merging with the 412, taking it until turning into the technology park at HaMada St, which turns into Derech Menachem Begin.  Through the suburbs of Rehovot until I got to the 40, where I turned right and headed south until reaching the 412 again, where I turned right.  Took it through downtown Rehovot and Rishon LeTsion, continuing until I got to the 44.  Then it was all the way back to the neighborhood near home, using surface streets to get back to the starting point.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 33.4 mi

Total elevation gain = 1130'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3043314031

07-21-2018 Ride

Well, some days are high energy days.  This one wasn't.  Simple enough route, heading out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 38 and then back.I had a good stretch before coming to Ramla, when I caught on with a group of triathlon riders going at a fast pace.  I was able to keep up with the back half of the riders, even outpace them when there was a minor incline.  After that, I passed some other riders on the gradual incline past the 431, but they were going slow.  I had the benefit of a tailwind for a small portion of the return ride, until I got back to around Lod, and from there the wind worked much more against me, especially as I got closer to home.  Was glad to be done with this workout.

Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 40.2 mi
Total elevation gain = 1410'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3030525364

07-20-2018 Ride

Solo ride, getting on the road around 6:00, heading out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, then turning right and riding through Rishon LeTzion.  I turned right on the 4311 and used it to ride to Palmahim, never been there before.  At the end of the road there is a nice state park beach.  I stopped for a couple of minutes before heading back, where it was a slight uphill and rough roads in the process of being repaved.  Retraced my route and benefited from downhill after Rishon as well as a tailwind.  Felt good, but this wasn't a heavy workout.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 32.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 1210'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3028681228

07-07-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren and, later, Rotem, starting from usual spot in Netanya.  Oren wasn't feeling great, so we scaled back the ride and his effort.  We rode following the normal route, to a coffee shop in Mishmar HaSharon, met Rotem, then doubled back on Hwy 4 to the 5711, following it to Haniel and then through some surface streets to the 57, which we took east until we turned onto the 5714.  I had been on these roads before, going the other direction.  We got to the 5803 and used it to get to the 581 to ride back to Hwy 4.  From there, it was back to the coffee shop for a break and then back to the starting point following the usual route.  Ride was fairly tame.  While I was riding with the others, I pushed my pace a couple of times to stretch out and get more of a workout.

Avg speed = 16.3 mph. Total mileage = 34.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 960'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3000231100

07-06-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning, getting out around 6:30, an hour later than I had hoped for.  Headed out Kibbutz Galuyot to the 461, riding it to the 40 and heading north.  At this stage, I had a good stretch, benefiting from a helping wind and a slight downward pitch.  Out to Kefar Sava, getting to the 55 and riding to the 444.  I headed south into a steady headwind, hoping at some point to find a good place to connect back to my original route.  No luck.  After getting to a place where the road was feeding onto Hwy 6, I had to turn around, heading back to the 531, riding on this highway to the 40, where I started heading back.  Heading south, I expected more difficulties with the wind, which was working against me but not terribly so.  I was feeling good enough to turn left onto the 412 and ride it back to the 44.  On this last stretch I was helped by the wind, which was good, since my legs were pretty tired.  Back home, where I had a nap in the afternoon that felt pretty good.

Avg speed = 17.0 mph. Total mileage = 52.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 990'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2998370500

06-30-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren and, later, Rotem, starting from usual spot in Netanya and heading out north to get onto Hwy 4 and ride to Zichron Yaakov.  We started out slow and picked up the pace a little bit, but kept it dialed back since Oren is working his way back into strong cycling shape.  We stopped at the normal coffee shop in Zichron at the turnaround point.  It had started to rain lightly on the ride in, and the rain continued while we had coffee and for a short time after we started heading back.  I rode out in front a couple of times, but generally I kept my pace the same as theirs.  Felt fine on this easy ride, I can tell that the humidity is building consistently now.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 42.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 590'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2986085980/

06-23-2018 Ride

Ride, with a start around 6:00, intending to go longer than other recent rides.  Headed out Ben Zvi to the 44, it was still cool and nice for riding.  Out to the turnoff to Latrun onto the 424, which essentially continues the southeast direction of the 44.  I intended to go all the way to Latrun and turn around.  On the way, I got passed by three riders on tri-bikes, and they were going so fast I couldn't hang with them.  This road slopes generally upward nearly all the way to Hwy 3, then it is generally downhill to the 44, which is the route I chose to follow.  Back on the 44, I was going at a decent pace when a pack of riders came up, so I hung with them on the little climb up to Karmei Yosef, dropping them near the top and riding on, giving it pretty much all I had.  A short while later, two of the riders passed me, and I hung with them for a couple of miles until I couldn't match their pace.  Then I retraced my route back home, riding by the stadium to avoid red lights.  I was slower in the last quarter of this ride, not having enough legs to keep up the earlier pace and not benefiting from any favorable winds as in previous rides.

Avg speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 45.9 mi
Total elevation gain = 1580'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2971213606

06-16-2018 Ride

Ride out Kibbutz Galuyot to the 461.  I left early enough on this Shabbat to get through the city without any traffic concerns.  Hadn't ridden this direction in a while, and it was pretty fast on the way out, around 18 mph.  Out to the 40, turning right and riding over to the 44.  Even though this is flat to slightly uphill, I made good time on this section too.  When I turned toward home, I noticed that my legs were not as fresh as the previous day and the tailwind I had was absent.  Even still, I did okay, just not as good.  This is a very flat route overall.

Avg speed = 18.5 mph. Total mileage = 29.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 145 bpm
Total elevation gain = 660'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2956424965

06-15-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning, starting a little after 6:00.  I decided to put a little climbing in, so I headed out Ben Zvi and the 44 to Hwy 3, which is just at 20 mi away.  I kept going for another mile plus to Har El, then turned around and retraced my route back home.  I made good time on the return, it was generally downhill and the wind was helping too.  After the little Karme Joseph climb, I averaged a little less than 20 mph for the rest of the ride home.  Felt good during the ride and afterward, a little tired but a good tired.

Avg speed = 18.0 mph. Total mileage = 43.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 1700'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2954552251

06-09-2018 Ride

Very short, very casual ride through Tel Aviv.  I rode up the coast and through the port only to find my way blocked by a youth triathlon course.  This forced me to improvise, and I was able to get over to Rokach Blvd until it looked like I was heading onto their course, so I turned onto Ibn Gavirol St.  I eventually ran out of street, turning onto HaHashmonaim St, which took me back to Derekh Menahem Begin.  Here I had to deal with light rail construction, which was a real pain.  I got through it, slowly, then took Jaffa St back toward home.  Not very long, but informative about how to navigate around the city, which is not an easy task.

Avg speed = 12.8 mph. Total mileage = 9.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 95 bpm
Total elevation gain = 220'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2941165159

06-08-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning, starting a little after 6:00 and heading out Ben Zvi.  I decided on a whim to turn right at one point and ride through Holon, following a road that eventually dumped me onto Hwy 4 for a time before I could exit onto the 441, merging onto the 412 and riding through Nes Ziona then then over to Bet Oved, turning left and riding down to the 4111, turning right there and trying to find the downtown area of Yavne.  I eventually did, not a lot to see before I eventually got back to the 42 and headed back to the 431, riding this little stretch of highway to get back to the 412 and taking it to the 44 and from there to home.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 36.0 mi
Total elevation gain = 1090'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2939361073

06-02-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Headed from home to Ben Zvi and out the 44 to the 412, heading northeast on it and then taking a right onto the 461.  I rode out to its intersection with the 40, at which point I turned around and retraced my route back home.

Avg speed = 19.2 mph. Total mileage = 22.0 mi

Total elevation gain = 440'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2925424774/

06-01-2018 Ride

Ride in the morning after a kinda late night the previous evening.  So I didn't have a lot of sleep.  I woke up to find I needed to fix a flat on my front tire.  Urgh!  Out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, taking it through Rishon LeTsiyon, slowed by lights and some traffic, then Nes Ziona, same thing.  I turned off left by HaMada St and connected to the 410 to get out to the 411, which I took over to the 40.  I headed northeast here, feeling pretty good and having the benefit after crossing over the 431 of a slight downward slope for most of the rest of the ride.  Feeling good enough to take the 40 to the Tayasim Junction, where I turned onto the 461 and headed back home the normal way, via the 412.  I didn't go extremely fast on this part of the return, but my pace was steadily good.

Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 41.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm (starting to get lower)
Total elevation gain = 1100'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2923616155

05-26-2018 Ride

Gentler ride than the previous day, going slower and less distance.  I headed through southern Tel Aviv to Allenby St on nice relatively empty streets, continued onto Ben Yehuda St and then got onto the bike path by the sea, taking it up to Keren Kayemet L'Israel Blvd, riding up to Bnei Ephraim St.  Turned right onto the 482 and rode for a while before deciding to head further east on Raoul Wallenburg St, turning left onto Dvora HaNevi'a St to get back to the 482.  Turned right here and stayed on this road until just past Hwy 5, when I turned around and stayed on the 482 until Turning left onto Shitrit St, then another left onto Rokach Blvd to head back toward home.  I made better time on this section, feeling warmed up by this time.

Avg speed = 15.2 mph. Total mileage = 22.9 mi
Total elevation gain = 770'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2910762274

05-25-2018 Ride

Early early morning ride, starting around 5:40 in order to try and be done before it got hot.  Success!  Out Ben Zvi to the 44 and then left on the 412 to get over to the 461.  Then up to the 40, where I turned left and took it all the way to Kefar Sava, turning right and getting onto the 55 for the first time.  I was able to follow its turns (not well marked) by accident, and it has a gradual rise that presented a minor challenge.  I also noticed several security vehicles, and it was only later that I realized I had crossed into contested territory.  There weren't any checkpoints.  I crested the climb and turned around, then retraced my route.  I was very happy with my pace on the way back, it felt in many cases like I had the wind at my back, even though there wasn't much of a breeze.

Avg speed = 18.4 mph. Total mileage = 51.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1190'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2908904605

05-19-2018 Ride

Better riding day than the one before.  I got up early and was on the road before 6:00.  This helped.  It was a little breezy but not windy, another plus.  Finally, the temperature was in the 70s.  Headed out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 40, heading north.  This stretch was the best part, average around 20 mph for around 3-4 mi, as the road tends to be slightly downhill.  I still had energy for the last part of the ride on the 461 and Kibbutz Galuyot, so I made good time here, other than the slow section through the neighborhood just before the 20 intersection.  I rode around the block at the end to get my total distance above 30 mi.  Done by a little after 7:30.

Avg speed = 17.8 mph. Total mileage = 30.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 670'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2895431629

05-18-2018 Ride

Well, this was a tougher day than I expected.  I got a late start, due in part to having to fix a rear flat.  Headed out Ben Tsvi right into a headwind that was steady and warm.  Stayed on the 44 through Ramle, battling the wind nearly all the way and also feeling the effects of the rising heat.  After crossing over the 6, I turned onto the 424 and rode up to Beit Hasmonal, riding through it and Azarya.  I though the road might connect to the 44 but no luck.  So I turned around and rode back to retrace my route.  I thought that riding back would be much easier and faster, but I was hot and tired by this time, with no push in my legs.  So I basically coasted back home, never feeling able to push the pace and feeling the effects of the temperature, which was in the high 90s!  Probably because of this, my heartrate was high throughout the ride.  This was the hardest 36 mile ride I've done in a long while.  Maybe will get an earlier start tomorrow.

Avg speed = 15.0 mph. Total mileage = 35.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 15? bpm
Total elevation gain = 1010'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2893693720

05-12-2018 Ride

Posted long after this ride, and the actual distance is probably longer, as it looks like the tracking turned off during the ride.  Rode with Oren, and perhaps others, through the neighborhood up to the 57 and then to Hwy 4, heading up to the 581, where we turned right and kept riding.  At this point, the ride mapping stopped, so that's all the I captured here.

Avg speed = 18.4 mph. Total mileage = 10.1 mi

Total elevation gain = 310'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2880495829

05-04-2018 Ride

Posted long after this ride.  Took surface streets through Tel Aviv, including Derech Jaffa and Derech Menachem Begin to get to Hwy 2, heading north until turning off onto the 481.  Followed it past Hwy 4 into Petah Tikva, eventually to the intersection with the 40, which I took heading south.  Rode to the 461, turning there and then again at the 412 to get to the 44. which I took all the way back to our neighborhood and home.

Avg speed = 16.3 mph. Total mileage = 26.6 mi

Total elevation gain = 880'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2862321502

04-28-2018 Ride

Ride with Oren Perets from normal parking lot starting point.  We head out the normal way to Hwy 4 and headed north, feeling the benefit of a steady tailwind.  Turned right onto the 581 and stayed on it, including a turn left at a traffic circle.  This road generally climbs, at a gradual incline, until we turned right onto the 5803.  I was keeping my pace lower in order to stay with Oren and not to get too far out in front.  Another right onto the 5714, taking it until turning right onto the 57, which is right where I had a rear flat.  We changed it rapidly, but I couldn't pump my tire up very much, which caused me to be much more cautious on the rest of the ride.  The 57 is the same highway we took west out of Netanya, so we eventually retraced our route to get back to the start.  Good ride, slower pace, my upper back was a little stiff for reasons unknown.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 28.7 mi
Total elevation gain = 840'
Average heartrate = 125 bpm
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2848804513

04-27-2018 Ride

Wasn't sure I would be able to ride, due to sketchy weather the previous two days.  But it was all good, so I headed out Ben Zvi to the 44, staying on it until I turned onto the 424 to Latrun.  This part was planned, and generally uphill although nowhere steep.  After this point, it was a nice downhill stretch on Hwy 3 to the 44, a brief rest to eat a banana, then deciding to continue on to the 411, which has a little climb until downhill and flat all the way to the 40.  Turned there and rode up to Menachem Begin Rd through the outskirts of Rehovot, over to the 412, taking it through Nes Ziona and Rishon Letzion to connect back to the 44.  From there, I retraced my route, felt pretty good at the end, no muscle soreness or tightness, only tired.  Oh, and Ann found my heartrate monitor strap, so I was able to get a sense of my cardio fitness.

Total mileage = 50.9 mi. Avg speed = 18.2 mph
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1710'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2847091870

04-21-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Headed out Ben Zvi to the 44 and then into Ramle, taking city streets through the old city and eventually getting to the 40, where I headed back to the 44 to get to the 424.  This road has a gradual uphill, which I followed until Mishmar Ayalon, where at around the 20-mile mark I turned around and headed back to the 44 and then back into Yafo.  Turned right on Elefelet and rode to Eilat St before getting to Yerushalaim St and heading back home.

Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 38.5 mi

Total elevation gain = 1020'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2833563478

04-18-2018 Ride

Solo ride on Wednesday morning of Memorial Day, had the day off and thought many others would too, expecting little traffic.  I headed out Ben Zvi to the 412 and turned right, riding through Rishon Letzion, where there were more cars than expected.  It continued as I rode through Nes Ziona and into Rehovot, turning right onto the 410 to head away from downtown and then left onto the 411 to eventually connect to the 40.  There were times during this section when I felt that the wind was helping me along, so I was thinking it would work against me on the return ride back via the 44.  Not so.  Maybe I just got lucky, but the wind helped pretty much the entire way, as it seemed.  Starting at mile 23, I averaged about 20 mph or greater through the rest of the ride.

Avg speed = 19.6 mph. Total mileage = 35.4 mi
Total elevation gain = 1090'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2827357516

04-14-2018 Ride

Solo ride, leaving earlier than the previous day because I was able to get up earlier.  Not as much energy, particularly in the second half of the ride.  I headed north up to Rokach Blvd, having to deal with a number of traffic lights but getting through them pretty well.  Road turns into Bnei Ephraim St.  Stayed on it until I turned left onto the 482.  This road took me into a suburban area with a lot of lights and eventually petered out.  I retraced my route, staying on the 482 after a minor sidetrack until I turned in Shitrit St to get back to Rokach Blvd.  Back to the port, where I rode over and caught the bike trail, taking it south and having to dodge a bunch of runners.  Back to Yefet St, taking it up to Dr Erlich St and then connecting back to Yerushalaim Ave and to home.  It was just a little shorter than I would have liked to ride, but it was fine.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 23.9 mi
Total elevation gain = 650'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2819792473

04-13-2018 Ride

Solo ride, getting a little later start, 7:30, than originally planned.  Headed out Ben Zvi to the 40, then turned north and took it over to the 461, turning left there.  It's starting to warm up during these rides, a hint of what's to come in the summer.  Back to the 412, taking a left and riding back to the Beit Dagan Interchange, turning right to retrace the last part of the route back home.  Felt good throughout the ride, and there is some indication that I timed the wind pattern right, since it never seemed to work much against me.

Avg speed = 18.1 mph. Total mileage = 31.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 706'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2818067629

04-01-2018 Ride

Well, this was the quietest Easter morning in a long time.  We went to church the day before, and I decided to go out for a bike ride.  Drove to the Nachson junction (3 and 44) and parked my car.  Then I rode on the 44 out to the 38 and headed south.  The ride out is a general series of gradual uphills with steeper descents afterward.  The wind didn't seem to be much of a problem on the outbound segment.  I rode to the 35 and Bet Guvrin before turning around an attempting to retrace my route.  But I missed a turn back onto the 38 and continued for a couple of miles, gradually uphill and headed toward Hebron.  I saw the security wall running along the highway and didn't remember seeing it on the way out.  That's when I checked and saw my error, so I turned around and rode back to the 38.  From there, it was straightforward, and I seemed to have a tailwind for much of the return on the 38.  The return climbs were tougher but not terrible, and my legs held out well.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 50.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 3750'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2795142500

03-30-2018 Ride

Ride on the day that Pesach starts, heading out Ben Zvi to the 412 and turning left.  Early on, the wind was generally favorable, coming as it was mainly from the southwest.  I turned onto the 40 and rode out into Petah Tikva, turning too soon, onto the 483, and not realizing it until I was committed.  This road is undergoing construction, so it was dicey in spots with little or no shoulder.  I saw a sign pointing back to Petah Tikva and turned onto the 444, then another right onto the 471, which quickly became a major highway.  Luckily, there was an exit for the 40, so I took it and began to retrace my original route.  Riding back south was generally into the wind, and it was a chore, slowing me down.  Once I got onto Ben Zvi, near home, I headed toward south Tel Aviv, intending to try and get my miles past 40.  Over to Shalma, then slowly back to Yerushalaim, staying on it until turning right onto Dr Ehrlich St and riding up to Yefet St.  Back through the shouk.  So the last couple of miles was slow.  No hills, but riding into the wind was challenging a number of times.

Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage = 41.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 860'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2791515902

03-27-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Looks like a corrupted route file, so I'll just include the mileage and elevation gain.  Run up the coast and back, probably starting with the Tayellet and coming back via Kaufmann and Yerushalaim.

Total mileage = 2.14 mi

Elevation gain = 22'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2785550549

03-24-2018 Ride

Solo ride through the city.  It was misty at the start, and I thought about turning back before it started to clear up a little.  Headed up Hayarkon St to Rokach Blvd and then headed east and north to see where it led. Turned into Bnei Ebrahaim St, which teed into the 482, where I turned right.  Headed south until I got to Jabotinsky Rd, turning right and heading west.  I rode over the 20, then needed to figure out where I was and get onto Arlozorov St, which I remembered would take me all the way back to the coast.  Headed south onto Yerushalaim and kept going into South Jaffa.  Right on Sderot HaBeshet and another right on Yefet St, then headed back home through the Shouk.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 19.0 mi
Total elevation gain = 700'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2779891838

03-23-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, heading out Ben Zvi to the 44 and then to the 40, heading southwest.  Near Rehovot, I got a flat rear tire and had to fix it, which was kind of a bummer but I wasn't in a hurry.  Shortly after, I turned onto the 412 and rode back through downtown Rehovot and then through downtown Rishon LeTsiyon before connecting to the 44 and heading home the normal way.  It seemed that I was able to avoid most of the headwinds, but the route through the cities slowed me down quite a bit..

Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 32.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2778326507

03-20-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Headed through the neighborhood to the Tayellet, then turned south and ran through the Jaffa port, by the sea, turning inland and using a couple of streets to get to Yefet St, over to Yehuda Hayamit St to get to Yerushalaim and back home.

Elapsed time = 24:51

Total mileage = 3.02 mi
Elevation gain = 134'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2772870518

03-17-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning after a tough ride the previous day.  So I decided to make it more casual, originally intending to ride to Palmahim.  Instead, I wound through the streets of Jaffa, Bat Yam, and Rishon Letzion before heading back, generally in the same direction although via a different route.

Avg speed = 15.1 mph. Total mileage = 20.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 120 bpm
Total elevation gain = 610'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2767571645

03-16-2018 Ride

Ride with Zvika and Nir Armoni from the Nachson Junction to Jerusalem and back.  I forgot my phone, which was really annoying and a little dangerous.  We headed southeast on the 44 to the 38, climbing pretty slowly to conserve strength for what was to come.  We then headed northeast on the road running parallel to the 38 until we turned onto the 395 and climbed it up to Tsuba.  This climb, overall, doesn't sound bad, 5.5 mi at 5.7% average grade.  However, it has really steep parts and some flats/downhills mixed in, so the climbing sections are tough.  I felt better this time than the other two times I've ridden it, probably because I now know more about where the hard spots are and could plan for them.  Legs held out surprisingly well, and maybe some of my energy was wind-aided.  We stayed on the 395 all the way into Ein Kerem, turning onto the 386 to climb up into west Jerusalem, coming out by Holland Square near Mt. Herzl.  The three of us then turned around and rode back to the 395 intersection, where we split and I retraced my route back to the start.  I had some climbing to get back to Tsuba, and then there were some steep downhills with sharp turns, so not so much fun.  About a mile before the finish I got a front tire flat, but I was able to pump it up a couple of times and limp back without having to fix it on the road.

It was a good riding morning, nice weather and a challenging route successfully completed.

Avg speed = 12.3 mph. Total mileage = 40.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 147 bpm
Total elevation gain = 5930'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2766803810

03-14-2018 Run

Posted long after this run.  Headed through the neighborhood to the Clock Tower and then on the Tayellet up to the Dolphinarium before heading back along the path by Kaufmann St and Yerushalaim St.

Elapsed time = 18:56
Total mileage = 2.30 mi
Elevation gain = 46'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2762387870

03-12-2018 Run

Run in the morning for the first time in a long time.  It was a fine morning for being out.  Decent pace throughout.  I ran down to Nahum Goldmann St and then onto the path by the beach, heading to the Dolphinarium before turning around and heading back through the park and eventually to Yerushalaim Ave.  Legs felt fine, not too winded, middle back was a little stiff afterward.

Elapsed time = 18:10
Total mileage = 2.21 mi
Elevation gain = 42'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2758617925

03-10-2018 Ride

Solo ride on Saturday morning, heading out Kibbutz Galuyot to the 461 and out to the 40.  Initial part of the ride went well, heading north on the 40 through Petakh Tikva.  As I rode north, I was really moving, thinking I was in decent shape.  I missed the second turn onto the 40 and rode instead through Hod HaSharon before turning around at mile 20.  Riding back south was mostly into a headwind, and I was a lot slower.  It was marginally better when I turned back onto the 461, but there was still some wind resistance that slowed me down.  Good weather for riding though.

Avg speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 40.3 mi
Avg heartrate = 146 bpm
Total elevation gain = 910'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2755103674

03-09-2018 Ride

Solo ride on Friday morning after missing the previous weekend while we were camping in Mitspe Ramon.  Out by the stadium to connect to Ben Zvi and all the way out the 44 to past the 40, deciding to turn onto  the 424 heading toward Latrun.  I rode out until I was past 17 miles, then I turned around and retraced my route.  I didn't notice the headwind on the way out, but the tailwind at times on the return ride was nice.  Pretty good ride, relatively flat and a good way to get back on the bike and start getting back into shape.

Avg speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 34.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 890'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2753469697

02-24-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride occurred.  I won't try to describe the route, which took me on a Saturday morning through Tel Aviv, generally heading north up to Hayarkon Park before I turned around and headed back home.  I did a jog at the end through Yafo to get some more distance in.

Avg speed = 14.0 mph. Total mileage = 10.5 mi

Total elevation gain = 280'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2729992480

02-23-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, didn't get the chance to ride the previous weekend.  So I chose a flat, short route.  Headed over to Ben Zvi and rode out Hwy 44 to Hwy 40.  It was a good temperature for riding the entire time, and the sun also stayed hidden.North on the 40 to get to the 461, then west back to the 412, effectively riding around the airport.  Back home via Ben Zvi.  It was the day of the Tel Aviv Marathon, but I didn't have any trouble with blocked roads.

Avg speed = 18.3 mph. Total mileage = 31.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 700'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2727773176

02-10-2018 Ride

Posted long after the ride.  Ride from Netanya, so I'm guessing that Oren, and perhaps others rode as well.  We headed out from the normal meeting point by Oren's apartment to Hwy 4, heading north to the 581, turning right there and riding up to the 5803, where we turned right and took it to the 5714.  Then it was south to the 57, where we turned right and headed back to the turn onto Derech Dganya, where we turned left.  We made a detour to get to the coffee shop for a break before heading back to the starting point.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 29.6 mi

Total elevation gain = 870'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2727717517

02-09-2018 Ride

Solo ride, wanting to get some climbing in.  So I drove to Bet Uzziel (after looking around for a suitable place to park) and left from there.  Out the 44 to the 38, heading south from there.  This ride is basically uphill until the drop down to the 38.  It's not all that steep, and I felt pretty good on the initial climbs.  There is a steady downhill from the peak of the ride until Bet Shemesh, then another gradual climb before a short, sharp downhill.  I rode until I had about 21 miles in, then turned around and retraced my route.  The short climb on the 38 was a challenge near its top, but I felt better than expected on the two climbs on the return trip on the 44.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 42.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 3290'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2703133987

02-03-2018 Ride

Ride from normal starting point in Netanya, although we got a late start.  Oren was late to the start and also had to fix a puncture.  We headed out at a steady pace, and Oren's friend Roi joined us for a time.  He rides fast, so he helped to set a quicker pace.  It was the normal out-and-back route on Hwy 4, and Roi rode with us for about the first 20-25 min.  Not too long after, we met up with Rotem at his normal connecting point, again after waiting for about 5-10 min for him to show up.  I continued with them for another 10-15 min before I had to turn around because of time.  I retraced my route, trying hard to keep my pace as close to 20 mph as possible.  It was a pretty fast return, and I put in a solid effort on the return.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 32.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 700'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2692438798

02-02-2018 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, getting a late start and having to pay the price by dealing with a lot more traffic.  I also didn't choose the route too well on this account.  Headed out Ben Zvi past Hwy 4, keeping on it and then choosing on a whim to turn right onto the Derekh Haim Herzog and ride toward Rishon LeTsiyon.  I rode down to the 431, then took a street to connect to the 412 and start heading back.  Slow through downtown.  I stayed on the 412 and took it past the airport to get to the 461, where I turned left and headed back home the normal way.  Traffic was pretty bad once I crossed Hwy 4 heading west.  Felt fine on the ride, but I didn't really push myself much.

Avg speed = 16.9 mph. Total mileage = 26.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm
Total elevation gain = 640'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2690980294

01-20-2018 Ride

Saturday morning ride, couldn't ride on Friday because of high winds and rain.  Bummer.  I met up with Oren and his riding buddy Roi in Netanya, and we took the normal route over to Hwy 4 heading north.  We rode up past Hadera, and Roi and I were setting a faster pace than Oren, who decided not too long after to slow his pace and let us continue at a faster run.  So we did, and Roi proved to be a very fast rider.  I could keep up with him but couldn't outpace him, and he did a whole lot more leading than I did.  We rode north to the 70 interchange and then turned around.  I didn't know where Oren was going to meet us, so I thought it would be fairly tame going back.  Nope.  It was into a little bit of a headwind, and we ended up riding back to Mishmar HaSharon where Oren was having a coffee.  Roi kept on riding, but I stopped and had a nice break and discussion with Oren before we headed back to my car, at a slower pace.  We rode through some cool villages on decent roads.  Felt fine after this ride, no leg soreness and not much tiredness.  My stomach was a little sore, I'm guessing from the high sustained effort during the ride with Roi.

Avg speed = 18.3 mph. Total mileage = 45.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 150 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1060'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2667400711

01-16-2018 Run

Entry long after doing the run.  Headed north on Yerushalaim Ave, cutting into the park by where Nahum Goldmann St comes in.  Ran up to near the Dolphinarium before turning around and running back through the park to Nahum Goldmann St and the Clock Tower, then through the neighborhood back home.

Elapsed time = 18:07
Total mileage = 2.17 mi
Elevation gain = 38'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2660867368

01-13-2018 Ride

Solo ride out Derekh Ben Zvi, getting there by riding by Blumfield Stadium.  My legs felt okay at the start.  It was cool at the start, and it got progressively colder as I headed inland, to the point where my fingers and ears were cold.  Once the sun came up, it was better but still cold in the shaded areas.  Stayed on this road out to the 44 and all the way to just beyond the intersection with Hwy 3.  There were a couple of riders that I caught up with who stayed with me for a time, and their presence encouraged me to push harder, successfully dropping them, eventually, although it took a pretty strong effort from me.  I turned around and retraced my route, and by this time I could feel the effects of the effort from this and the previous day, so I was slowed.  At a small store west of Ramla, I stopped for a Coke, candy bar, and rest, and that helped me recover enough to make decent time for the rest of the way back.  Felt good mentally at the end, although my high average heartrate indicates that I have work to do to return to good cardio shape.

I also measured the circumference of my wheels to enter into my cyclometer: 2115 mm
Current odometer setting before re-zeroing it: 2262.3 mi

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 43.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 147 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1660'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2655993655

01-12-2018 Ride

Training ride with the GFNY Jerusalem training group, leaving from Bar Giyora up by Nes Harim (long drive to get to the start).  I rode with Zvika and Nir, although they were generally far ahead of me.  We started downhill toward Tsur Hadasa, a little sketchy going down this steep hill with a group of other riders.  Headed generally west until turning north to connect to the 395 near Bet Shemesh.  Then it was the very challenging climb, about 7 miles of real hell, with some terrible stretches thrown in.  I could tell that my fitness was not up to this ride, so I suffered and watched others pass me.  We had a break just past the top, but I missed the turn into a park and rode another half mile up.  Not great.  I was wiped out, so I couldn't push on the downhill section, content to keep coasting and pedaling just a little.  On the last 3-mile gentler climb back to the starting point, I was slow.  It tilts up near the end, and I struggled on this section, feeling that my legs were just about done.  So I stopped here rather than continue on for the next 13 miles, which was the only choice on this day.  Recovered fairly quickly, once I stopped putting so much pressure on my legs.  I need to focus my training rides either on long distances at continued high pace or riding in the Judean hills.  Will ride until near the end of January to see how my fitness improves before committing to ride in the GFNY Jerusalem race.

Avg speed = 13.2 mph.  Total mileage = 36.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 151 bpm

Total elevation gain = 5210'

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2654658886