The Israel Ride is a fully supported ride with multiple riding groups, on road support, and rest stops throughout. While cycling in Israel is an amazing adventure, the cycling experience may be different from other rides.

Riding Groups | On-Road Support | Rest Stops and Pit Stops

Riding Groups

Each day of riding we offer three riding groups. All routes enjoy full support, stocked rest stops, and expert tour guides and educators. While the main differences are mileage and riding speed, each route offers a unique experience. At the evening briefings we will explain the routes for each group for the following day. Usually, riders can switch between routes for each day of the Ride. With one exception, you can switch between groups every day.

• Chalutzim (Pioneers) are our strongest and fastest riders, averaging 65 miles a day with additional climbing.
• Tzofim (Scouts) ride from hotel to hotel, an average of 55 miles a day, with the longest day being 70 miles. Some particularly tough climbs at the start or end of a day may be skipped by a bus.
• Shomrim (Guardians) is a cycling / touring hybrid group, riding an average of 35 miles each day. This group will avoid some of the tougher segments and instead visit nearby destinations.

Each rider receives a cue sheet with each turn on the route and rest stops marked. Each group tends to start out together, and spreads out between rest stops. However, this is not a “grab a cue sheet and go” ride. We have police permits which require us to keep our groups together. While we have designed our routes and riding groups to allow riders to spread out and ride at their own pace, we do use rest stops to gather the group together. In addition, due to the nature of Israeli drivers and roads, there are times where we bunch the group up to allow for safer and easier cycling. This may mean that faster riders have to wait for slower riders to arrive before departing or that slower riders have a shorter rest period before hitting the road.

Route maps, daily mileage, and elevation charts can be found on our Route page.

On-Road Support

The Israel Ride is a fully supported event. Along with luggage transportation, we provide a full SAG (support and gear) service on the road.

Each riding group is paced by a lead car and a mechanic truck and bus follow each group as a sweep vehicle. In addition, we have an ambulance on the road with us at all times, and occasional local police support where deemed necessary.

We also have a series of lead riders who pace and sweep each group as well as provide general bicycle support. The lead riders set the pace for the group and no one rides ahead of the lead rider or leaves a rest stop before the lead. Our sweep rider brings up the rear. In most cases we allow riders to stay at their own pace and take their time. However, there are times where the gap between the lead and sweep is too great to be safe, or the day is growing late. Riders in the back of the pack may be picked up and jumped ahead or driven to the finish line.

In addition to the mechanic trucks, there are also cycling mechanics to help with flat tires and other minor incidents on the road. While our mechanics carry standard bicycle tubes and basic supplies, we encourage each rider to bring their own tubes that match their bicycle tires. We also have a few spare bicycles in case of a major mechanical issue so you can get back on the road.

Finally, we have crew teams which run rest stops, cheer riders up tough hills, and take photographs along the route. All the crew (and some of the lead riders) are alumni of the Arava Institute. While we program sessions over Shabbat to hear from the alumni, we encourage riders to interact with the crew to understand more about their experiences at the Arava Institute and to learn what fields they are currently pursuing.

Rest Stops and Pit Stops

We have a scheduled rest stop every 15 miles. Riders must stop at each rest stop so that we can keep the riding groups together. Each rest stop has water, energy drink, and snacks. Rest stops either have natural shade or we build a shelter to provide shade. Especially for the desert riding days riders are strongly encouraged to cool down in the shade at each rest stop. We try to have a bathroom at each rest stop – for those areas without one we create a designated bathroom area with a privacy screen. While at the rest stops, our tour guide and environmental educators will talk about the geography, history, and landmarks of the area well as environmental issues of the region.

Between rest stops we sometimes have a pit stop, which is usually a car at the side of the road. Pit stops are optional, but are a good place to refill water and snacks, or even to sit inside an air-conditioned car if it is extremely hot.

Throughout the ride, we tend to provide nuts, dried fruit, halva, and energy bars. However, the brands available in Israel are not the same as those in the US or abroad. If you have a particular energy bar that you prefer, we suggest bringing some to the Ride.