Day 1 - Rosh Pinna to Kfar Giladi

The opening day of the ride is finally here.

After all the planning and logistics, we finally get underway. The weather started sunny, but we knew this wasn't going to last - and the forecast was for three days of very very bad weather. At least it was beautiful for the bus ride to the opening ceremonies - and the traditional singing of Hatikva and the blessing for a safe ride.

There was no doubt we were on the Challenge ride as the route started out with a monster seven-mile climb right out of the parking lot. (If you wanted a warmup, you had to make do with the .04 miles it took to exit the lot.) At the top 1/3 of the climb, the skies opened up and we got hammered. It let up enough at the summit for us to put on our rain gear, stored in the lead car. Some folks bailed and got on the bus for the descent, but not me (because I'm not too bright.) No sooner did I - and a handful of other meshugenas - start out, than it started coming down again, even heavier than before. Rain wasn't enough though - we actually got hail.

The descent was steep and treacherous. The road was bad, wet and washed out with gravel and debris. I practically wore out my brake pads trying to stay in control the entire way down. At one point, I wondered if I had accidentally joined the off-road riders. I arrived at the bottom for a pit stop, frozen to the bone and it took two hot cups of cappuccino to shake it off. Changed into dry long-fingered winter gloves (honestly never thought I would need them, but glad I threw them in the day bag.)

Even with a somewhat shortened route, these were 50 of some of most miserable miles I have ever ridden.