One week and 220 kilometers later, I have made it back and successfully finished the Ride for Reform. I think I can honestly say that this was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, even harder than my sea-to-sea hike.
There were roughly 26 riders, half Israeli, half American, who set out on this journey from Kibbutz Yahel in the south, through Mitzpe Ramon towards Ashkelon on the coast, and then northeast to Jerusalem. I think that every single one of them were in better shape than me. Nonetheless, I made it to the end and, after two days of recovery, am back up on my feet.
The experience was amazing. The desert was beautiful and not hot, the coast green as ever and extremely pleasant. There were a few very hard and long climbs, and many fun off-road drops.
I only fell and got hurt once, while walking my bike up a hill.
All in all, I'm very proud to have been able to take part in such an event to support Progressive Judaism in Israel, even if I still lack feeling in some of my fingers and parts of my legs. The last day saw the only time that I fully walked my bike up a long hill. But it was a nice hike, worth every step.
The ride raised a total of $75,000 for the movement. This on the heels of the recent Supreme Court decision giving near-legitimacy to non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel for the first time - it's been a few good weeks for Progressive Judaism in Israel!
Pictures are coming shortly - keep checking back!
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