Detailed Route Information

Ramah Bike Ride 2013 Itinerary

April 23-30, 2013

Itinerary as of March 2013; subject to change

Notes:

• Make sure to leave ample time for check-in, especially if you are checking-in a bicycle.
• All flights should arrive in Israel by 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 23, and depart no earlier than 10:00 pm on Tuesday, April 30.
• Breakfast is provided daily at each hotel. Lunches and dinners are as indicated each day.
• Riding days will include snacks and lunch provided at pre-arranged rest stops during the day.
• On any day, riders can choose one of three riding options: SHOAFIM, BOGRIM, and MUMCHIM. Shoafim (from the Hebrew for aspiration) will experience both cycling and bus transfers, during which they will tour the riding areas with an experienced Ramah guide. Shoafim will cover approximately 225 km (140 mi) of cycling over the five days. Most days, they will ride in the morning, and after lunch travel by bus with a dedicated tour guide to explore the cultural and historical sites in Israel which are near our route. Bogrim (from the Hebrew word for mature) will ride a full day covering approximately 455 km (280 mi) over the five days. Mumchim (from the Hebrew for expert) will ride a full day with additionalmileage for the added challenge, covering approximately 660 km (410 mi).

Day 1: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
B’ruchim Haba’im! Arrival and Transfer to Jerusalem

Welcome to Israel! Upon your arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and provide bus transfer to our Jerusalem hotel. We will devote the afternoon to assembling your bikes and fitting rental bikes to participants. After an opening dinner, we will give a general briefing about the tour and the services provided.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Jerusalem

After transferring out of Jerusalem, we will leave for the ride after a short opening ceremony at Bar Giora, west of Jerusalem. All groups end at the beach town of Ashkelon, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Shoafim: We will bike from Bar Giora down towards the Adolam region, biking past vineyards and ruins from the Roman era. We will also make a quick stop to see the hide out caves of Bar Kochva and then ride to Beit Guvrin national park. After exploring the ruins and caves here we will join the other groups for a picnic lunch. From here the group will transfer by bus to Ashkelon to enjoy the afternoon hours at the beach.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Bogrim: We will bike from Bar Giora down towards the Adolam region, biking past vineyards and ruins from the Roman era. We will also make a quick stop to see the hide out caves of Bar Kochva and then ride to Beit Guvrin national park. After exploring the ruins and caves here we will join the other groups for a picnic lunch. From here the group will continue to ride through small towns and villages and reach the hotel in Ashkelon.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Mumchim: We will start our ride with a loop towards Beit Shemesh and climb back up to the starting point, then bike down towards the Adolam region, biking past vineyards and ruins from the Roman era. We will also make a quick stop to see the hide out caves of Bar Kochva and then ride to Beit Guvrin national park. After exploring the ruins and caves here we will join the other groups for a picnic lunch. From here the group will continue to ride through small towns and villages and reach the hotel in Ashkelon.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Overnight: Holiday Inn, Ashkelon

Today’s ride will take us from the coastal region into the heart of the Negev Desert. All groups will meet at Sderot and end their ride at Mashabe Sade Kibbutz hotel.

Shoafim: We will transfer by bus out of Ashkelon to meet the other groups in Sderot, where we will hear a short introduction about the town and its recent history. From here we will bike along small roads passing the kibbutzim and moshavim of the Lachish and northern Negev regions. We will stop for lunch at Gvulot, at the historic site where this settlement was established in the 1940s. From here we transfer by bus to Mashbe Sade where we will spend the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Bogrim: Bogrim riders can choose between a bus transfer out of Ashkelon to Sderot or biking from the hotel in Ashkelon along the coast to Sderot where we will will hear a short introduction about the town and its recent history. From here we will bike along small roads passing the kibbutzim and moshavim of the Lachish and northern Negev regions. We will stop for lunch at Gvulot, at the historic site where this settlement was established in the 1940s. From here we will ride past sand dunes and open desert to Mashabe Sade where we will spend the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Mumchim: We will leave the hotel and bike along the coast and towards the town of Sderot where we will hear a short introduction about the town and its recent history. From here we will bike along small roads passing the kibbutzim and moshavim of the Lachish and northern Negev regions, adding a 20-mile loop before we meet the other groups. We will stop for lunch at Gvulot, at the historic site where this settlement was established in the 1940s. From here we will ride past sand dunes and open desert to Mashabe Sade where we will spend the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Overnight: Mashabe Sade Kibutz Hotel

Today’s ride will take us deeper into the Negev desert and will end at the town of Mitzpe Ramon, overlooking the Ramon Crater. This ride includes an optional mountain biking trail for Shoafim and Bogrim (mountain bikes provided by Ramah). In Mitzpe Ramon we will have time to prepare for Shabbat services and dinner.

Shoafim/Bogrim: Shoafim and Bogrim groups will ride together today. We will ride out of the hotel and head towards Sde Boker, where we will visit the burial site of David Ben Gurion at the outskirts of this pioneer desert research center. Following our visit to Sde Boker, we will have two options; riders may choose to take mountain bikes and head into the Zin Valley towards Ein Akev, one of the largest natural water sources in the Negev. After a refreshing swim, riders choosing this option will be transferred by bus to Mitzpe Ramon. Alternatively, riders may opt to continue riding on the desert roads into Mitzpe Ramon.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Mumchim: We will start our day early, leaving the hotel by bus and driving down to the Arava Valley to begin our ride by cycling along the Peace Trail, one of the prettiest roads in Israel, that passes along the Israel Jordanian border.  After that warm up, we will turn West making our way to Ma’ale Akrabim, the Scorpions Ascent, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful rides (and certainly most challenging) in all of Israel. We will then climb this winding road with the view of the desert and the Edom Mountains. We will pass through the Hatira Crater, seeing the multi color sands, and arrive at the town of Yeruham for a break. From here we will continue riding to Sde Boker for a short lunch and then head to Ben Gurion’s memorial. We will then ride into Mitzpe Ramon and meet the rest of the group for Shabbat.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon

Day 5: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Shabbat and Lag BaOmer

No cycling today for all groups. We will daven together in the morning, Ramah style, and celebrate Shabbat together as a community. You will be free to walk along the cliff above the Ramon Crater or just relax at the hotel. After Havdallah, we will set out for a traditional Lag BaOmer bonfire!

Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon

The ride will go from the high desert plain above the Ramon Crater and end at Ketura in the Arava region.

Shoafim: This group will bike out of Mitzpe Ramon and across the Ramon Crater. After passing through we will make a short transfer by bus and then continue to ride past the village of Shitim to Kibbutz Neot Smadar. We will stop for a short lunch break and then tour this unique desert community and the local art center. From here we will continue down the road to Kibbutz Ketura where we will be spending the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart Part I
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart Part II

Bogrim: This group will bike out of Mitzpe Ramon and across the Ramon Crater. After passing through we will ride through the dry riverbeds of the Southern Negev, past the village of Shitim to Kibbutz Neot Smadar. We will stop for a short lunch break and then tour this unique desert community and the local art center. From here we will continue down the road to Kibbutz Ketura where we will be spending the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Mumchim: This group will bike out of Mitzpe Ramon and across the Ramon Crater. After passing through we will ride through the dry riverbeds of the Southern Negev, past the village of Shitim to Kibbutz Neot Smadar. We will stop for a short lunch break and then tour this unique desert community and the local art center. From here we will continue to ride an extra loop towards the village of Shacharut, then bike down the road to Kibbutz Ketura where we will be spending the night.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Overnight: Ketura Kibbutz Hotel

We will bike through the red rock mountains around Eilat and end at the shore of the Red Sea where we will meet for a toast. After freshening up at the hotel, we will celebrate all we have accomplished at a banquet dinner.

Shoafim: We will transfer by bus out of Kibbutz Ketura and start biking south towards Eilat. We will ride along the border with Egypt, looking into the Sinai Desert. This small road will take us from the Southern Negev to the Eilat Mountains. The road will climb up to the pass near Mt. Shlomo and from there we will descend towards Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We will ride straight for the beach and celebrate our arrival with a cold beer and a swim in the cool water.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Bogrim: We will take a short transfer by bus out of Kibbutz Ketura and start biking south towards Eilat. We will ride along the border with Egypt, looking into the Sinai Desert. This small road will take us from the Southern Negev to the Eilat Mountains. The road will climb up to the pass near Mt. Shlomo and from there we will descend towards Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We will ride straight for the beach and celebrate our arrival with a cold beer and a swim in the cool water.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Mumchim: We will bike out of Ketura, and climb back to the desert plain. From here we start biking south towards Eilat. We will ride along the border with Egypt, looking into the Sinai Desert. This small road will take us from the Southern Negev to the Eilat Mountains. The road will climb up to the pass near Mt. Shlomo and from there we will descend towards Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We will add a few more miles by biking down to the Taba border crossing and then head to meet the other groups at the beach and celebrate our arrival with a cold beer and a swim in the cool water.
Map, Distances, and Elevation Chart

Overnight: Prima Music Hotel, Eilat

Day 8: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Departure / Optional Add-On

After disassembling bikes, they will be transferred by bus to Ben Gurion Airport or to Jerusalem. After enjoying a morning at the beach we will board the bus and drive north, making stops at the airport and in Jerusalem. Farewell and safe travels!

For those interested in extending their stay, we are planning an overnight trip to Petra, Jordan. More details to follow.