ISRAEL BIKE RIDE 19 – 27 NOVEMBER 2011

WEATHER November is usually pleasant with a slight chance of rain. Daytime temperature will be approximately 20-25°C. Remember to bring plenty of sun cream & drink lots of water! Evening temperature will drop to 10-12°C. In November the sun rises at 6am and sets at 5pm.

SUPPORT You will be supported the whole way on the event by a team of staff. The staff on the event will include: Tour Manager Charity Representative Mechanic/s Local doctor Local guide Drivers (support vehicle/s)

A TYPICAL DAY Wake up 6.30am. Breakfast 7am. Warm up and ready to leave by 8am. Stop every 15-20km for water / snacks and to re-group. Lunch break will be about 1 hour. Dinner at hotel and briefing for the next days’ cycling.

THE BIKES The bikes provided will be 21-gear middle of the range hybrid bikes. Each bike has a water bottle holder – participants bring own water bottle, with lid to cover mouth piece. Bring your own saddle or gel seat cover, which the mechanic/s in Israel will try to fit. Everyone must wear a cycling helmet at all times when cycling (participants bring own).

TRAINING To enjoy completing this challenge it is important to have trained. We recommend that you cycle regularly and on consecutive days to build up your stamina. Both challenges are designed for people who have trained.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE Recommend; Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B, Polio, Diphtheria and Typhoid for travel in Israel. Always consult your own GP before travelling as advice can change. It’s important to remember to wash hands before eating. Participants should bring their own mini first aid kit and the doctor will have some medical supplies. The Tour Manager and Doctor will brief you on health & hygiene.

FOOD AND DRINK The tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Israel. Water bottles can be re-filled at regular stops on cycling days & internationally branded soft drinks are widely available. Kosher food will be provided during the bike ride which is wholesome and tasty. Below are sample menus: Breakfast - Cereals, bread, jam, chocolate spread, peanut butter. Lunch - Bread, vegetables, humus, beans, corn, tuna, salad, fruit. Dinner - Salad, vegetable or meat dish, fruit.

Kibbutz, Bedouin tents and basic tourist class hotel accommodation will be used on these rides. Rooms are likely to be twin / triple share. ACCOMMODATION

ITINERARY – DAYS 1 & 2 Saturday 19 Nov 2011 London – Tel Aviv overnight flight from London to Tel Aviv. Sunday 20 Nov 2011 Dan to Eilat Hagoshrim Transfer to Hagoshrim Bike Fitting Optional tour to Tel Dan. Overnight in Kibbutz Hagoshrim. Ashkelon to Eilat Askelon – Zeelim – Mashabei Sade Transfer to Ashkelon. Breakfast by the beach. Bike fitting after lunch. Overnight in Holiday Inn, Ashkelon.

ITINERARY – DAY 3 Monday 21 Nov 2011 Dan to Eilat Hagoshrim – Sea of Galilee – Beit Shean – Sachne Springs – Afula, 120kms Cycle along the Hula Valley to the B’not Yaacov Bridge. Climb up 3kms to the Golan heights and descend towards the Sea of Galilee. After lunch continue in the Beit Shean Valley to Afula. Overnight in Kibbutz Nir David. Ashkelon to Eilat Ashkelon – Zeelim – Mashabei Sade, 114kms Cycle south along stunning coastal plains to the northern Negev, ending at Kibbutz Mashabei Sade. Mostly flat on small roads with very little traffic. Overnight at Kibbutz Mashabei Sade.

ITINERARY - DAY 4 Tuesday 22 Nov 2011 Dan to Eilat Afula –Neve Shalom, 114kms Continue through Wadi Ara to the Sharon Valley. Arrive at Latrun where we will see memorial dedicated to the Armour Division of the Israeli army. Opposite is the beautiful Latrun Monastery. Continue to Neve Shalom where we will overnight in a kibbutz. Ashkelon to Eilat Mashabei Sade – Chan Hashayarot – Mitzpe Ramon, 62kms Begin ride on the main Beersheva – Eilat road. After lunch we will continue to Mitzpe Ramon through the wilderness of Zin. Overnight stop is at the Ramon Hotel.

ITINERARY – DAY 5 Wednesday 23 Nov 2011 Dan to Eilat Neve Shalom – Sdrot – Zeelim – Chan Hashayarot, 163kms This is the longest day so far. Terrain is mostly flat and most of the day we are 200m above sea level. There is a gentle ascent up to 500m for the last 30km. Overnight in kibbutz. Ashkelon to Eilat Mitzpe Ramon – Ramon Crater, 45kms Difficult terrain circling the Ramon Crater. Overnight in Bedouin camp in the crater.

ITINERARY – DAY 6 Thursday 24 Nov 2011 Dan to Eilat Chan Hashayarot – Ramon Crater – Paran – Beer Menucha – Yahel, 121kms Start by cycling 24kms to Mitzpe Ramon uphill to about 800m above sea level. Continue down a steep descent into Ramon crater. Cross the crater to the valley of Paran. Continue south towards the Gulf of Eilat for overnight in Kibbutz Yahel where we join our fellow cyclists. Ashkelon to Eilat Ramon Crater – Paran – Yahel, 94kms Today is the longest cycling day on this route. Cross the crater to the valley of Paran, we will continue towards Beer Manucha and the plain of Arava. Continue south towards the Gulf of Eilat. Overnight at Kibbutz Yahel with the cyclists from Dan.

ITINERARY - DAY 7 Friday 25 Nov 2011 Yahel – Timna – Eilat, 65kms Final day where we all cycle together! Cycle along the main road with the Edom mountains to the left. Stop for an early lunch in the nature reserve at Timna, where we will see King Solomon’s Pillars. After Lunch commence the last leg of ride to Eilat. Celebrate our achievement. Overnight in hotel.

ITINERARY - DAYS 8 & 9 DAY 8 Saturday 26 Nov 2011 Free day at leisure in Eilat. Celebratory meal. Overnight in hotel DAY 9 Sunday 27 Nov 2011 Transfer to the airport for journey home.

HIGHLIGHTS Fundraise for Norwood. Enjoy cycling in Israel, off the beaten track. Get fit and healthy. Forge lifelong friendships. Enjoy an experience of a life time. Achieve a goal beyond your expectations.

ISRAEL BIKE RIDE 19 – 27 NOVEMBER 2011