Day 3 - Kfar GIladi to Ein Gev

Another tough tough day - over 80 miles including the brutal climb up Mt. Hermon. That's brutal without the weather. As it was, the thunder and lighting were gone, but we still had rain. By this point, we just wanted to ride.

So, with rain gear on, and shower caps over our helmets - and with some stylish riders putting shower caps over their shoes - we set out in the gloom. The beginning of the 20-mile climb took us up the Ajar Security road, along the Lebanon border, with barbed wire on both sides of the road - do NOT wander off - and "Danger: Minefield" signs everywhere. Just keep going straight up and you'll be ok.

The weather turned bleak and rainy and cold and misty and foggy and there was almost zero visbility. ("Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?") After 10 miles of tough climbing, we took a break at a ski lodge. (Yes, you read that right.) We were all frozen. I had bonked in the last few miles and was in a lot of pain. I changed into a dry set of clothes and tried desparately to warm up. At one point, I went to the bathroom, ran a sinkful of hot water and just stood there with my arms soaking in the bowl for 15 minutes. After some energy and recovery drinks, I felt better.

Because of the unsafe road conditions, the army closed the road the rest of the way up. I honestly cannot say I was disappointed. But when we continued, it was wet, wet, foggy, misty and the roads were pretty washed out with gravel and debris. Again, another unenjoyable descent. What a waste of perfectly good gravity.

In the afternoon, the sun came out, but so did the wind. We rode most of the afternoon along a very nice stretch of road, but into a brutal headwind. We passed wind turbine fields (hint, hint) and the turbines were very happy. But we weren't.

I got sick. Started running a fever and other assorted ills, and was not feeling very confident. My legs were like rubber and after 30 miles of headwind, I was toast. I was praying we were near the end of the ride. When I heard we had another 12 miles to go, all the air went out of my sails. I got on the sweep bus for the final leg - knowing in my gut, it was the right thing to do. Sad, because a lot of it was a nice downhill to Ein Gev. Oh well.

That evening, we were treated to a talk by a local Golan resident who gave us his unique persepctive on life in the region. Very insightful, entertaining and educational.