Isee Test And The California Standards Tests

(Published in the Journal n.35 BB)

Foreword

Leaving Barcelona after the snowstorm in early March with an icy atmosphere. Within hours of us stand at the other end of the Mediterranean with a temperature difference greater than 25 degrees. Upon arrival to receive the bikes were going to meet this week pedaling by Israel. This time our traveling companion was not to be the skinny road, but it would be a multi-suspension Mountain Bike Front and rear rack, which was far in features and weight of our company standard. But you and I move to Israel is a singular destination that deserves to be enjoyed walking and enjoying the city, riding on the roads and, of course, discovering their desert riding a mountain bike.

Chapter 1. The old Jaffa and Tel Aviv modern

started by a pleasant walk along the coast. From the beginning we saw that this was not would be a trip too physically demanding, but who wants crushed when there is so much to see, to discover, to learn?

the first day of urban cycling discovered the ancient city of Jaffa and our guide explained that the city formed a single municipality with Tel Aviv, and was the site of the first loss Napoleon in his campaign for East. We also know the youth of Israel's most cosmopolitan city: Tel Aviv, which was founded at the beginning of S XX. A city entirely Western. Only the Caramel Market, whose visit is fully recommended, reminds us that we Middle East. Another interesting attraction is the Museum of the Diaspora in the university area, which is a fascinating window into the Jewish community worldwide.

same day evening we found the bike path that connects Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. About 75 kilometers asphalt and sometimes land. A very interesting possibility to start the journey to the Old City . We take full day and evening and found the typical architecture of the German Bauhaus movement, of which the main sample is Tel Aviv. This construction simple, functional, economic and ecological.

Night of Tel Aviv is a myth among young Israelis, but we prefer to save some energy for tomorrow. But the information is there for whoever wants to exploit.

Chapter 2. Caesarea, Mount Caramel

is the first real day of cycling out of city. The van left us in the vicinity of Caesarea, where we see a stunning seaside aqueduct that supplied water to the city and that was over 7 kilometers long. As we will discover in many other cities that we see these days, the remains of most modern cities overlap with the oldest remains, still visible some traces Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders and Ottomans. Caesarea had its heyday in the Roman era, which was the main port of the Empire in the Middle East. Highlights include well-preserved remains of the hippodrome (funny) and the restored Roman amphitheater. We continue to

Haifa, but the plan originally we make a change, which involves the ascent of Mount Caramel, which rises to 560 meters above sea level. An irregular increase in time it becomes very hard. It is the first day we really on the road and we chose a hot day and a port demanding. Isifiya Finally we have lunch the following day which became a classic: Falafel with lemonade (or Coca Cola). A fantastic sandwich in pita bread with chopped vegetables. Isifiya's curiosity is that this is a major religious people most of whom are Druze. The complexity of the religious landscape in Israel begins to appear.

After falafel, fast descent into Haifa since there we expect Emilio Roitman, an Argentine who is the director general of the Israel Federation Cycling, which proudly shows the circuit which will be played MTB European Championship next July. A selective circuit, designed with care, with highly technical areas and a good percentage of singletrack. There will be very attentive to the output ... and above all will provide the heat in July.

Chapter 3. Warships in the border

pedals We first day Rosh Nikra, the northernmost point of the Israeli coast on the border with Lebanon. With a cable car can be lowered to sea level to see the caves that have formed in limestone, following the continuous beating of the waves. Interesting, but what surprises us is that the warship is controlling the border with Lebanon. Then we went down south for a nice bike path along the coast. At times it seems to be in Catalunya, pedaling around Ampurias, for example, with the same scenery, same smells and ruins Roman on our side. At other times I go back to a different reality, past fields of fire or residential areas protected by barbed wire. I'm surprised the ease with which they take all this. But we bumps.

Finally we come to Acre (Akko), a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , a fortified citadel where he will spend the day, visiting markets and eating the inevitable falafel with a majority Muslim population. Dine at one of its restaurants by the sea is another experience recommended. And allow me a suggestion, the restaurant Uri Buri, next to the entrance of the tunnel of the Templars.

Chapter 4 On the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem

( Jesus Garcia Pastor Photography)

After sleeping and in Jerusalem, begins one day expected to visit Jerusalem and especially Old Town, where visiting the Holy Sepulchre is a unique experience for those who have been educated a Christian culture.

From the vicinity of the hotel is the city of Bethlehem. We can not get closer to see the birthplace of Jesus Christ because Bethlehem is in Palestinian territory and that means that tourists can happen, but the Israelites. Jerusalem is where we met Aitor Azpiazu and his partner Keren Potash. Sightseeing with them and then share table and tablecloth. A real treat to have with us a guide who conveys an objective view of the complex situation prevailing in Jerusalem. And more than luxury to have an elite-level riding with us and talking cycling.

On the bike we visited the outside of the Parliament of Israel, the German district, Mount Scopus, and our bike tour ends at the Mount of Olives, where the panoramic Old City of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock is unbeatable.

the afternoon and we parked the bikes and we are dedicated to visit the Old City of Jerusalem. It is very difficult to summarize in a few lines so much history, but it is impossible not to mention visit to the Wailing Wall (accessible only with a head covering or skullcap ) or journeys the Via Dolorosa, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ to Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where he was buried.

One day of emotions. Jerusalem deserves more than a day, but there is much to see and we have so little time ...

Chapter 5 The resistance of Massada and sunset in Scorpio

Another special day. A visit to Massada and the Dead Sea were two of my priorities trip to Israel, and another objective is to increase cycling to Arad. And the best was yet to be discovered. Definitely a day to remember.

traveled from Jerusalem to Arad in the car with bikes in tow. Along the way we pick up a bicycle touring adventure that tells her, that is to try to get from Tel Aviv to Cairo. A German who works in the United States has planned a route without a doubt full of problems and lacks only the strong air-blowing. Our help him a bit closer to your destination and let you near Arad, on his way to Be'er Sheva.

Once again we find Arad and also Aitor Libnah Niv, an elite racing Aitor and this April will professionals with a English team. Niv told us about his experiences after winning the Tour Israel. With them we share a few kilometers until they return to Arad and we continue to Massada, on a lonely road through the desert. A road with a clear downward trend that allows us to enjoy a unique landscape. We even stopped to visit a nomadic village. We reached the foot of Massada, where we have to go through a hard ramp in there to take the bike in tow, does not serve the mountain bike, because there are many steps that can move quickly to the top. From there, the Dead Sea views are unbeatable.

descended by cable car to the base of Masada on the other side (the Dead Sea), saving a drop of 600 meters . Aitor there has prepared me a carbon bike, which he missed, to share one of the climbs that I had marked in red since I knew he would go to Israel. This is the climb from the Dead Sea level ( -419 meters) to Arad, overcoming a drop of almost 1,000 meters and finding the mid-sea-level rise (as you can see from the photos). Once in Arad, Aitor, perfect host, I have prepared a nice surprise despite the little strength I have left. This is the climb to Ma'ale Aqrabbim (Scorpio rising), up singular that he has done in the race and he knows well. The climb is worth it, and if the landscape is as beautiful in itself, the sun gives it a magical air. The night we take on the bike to finish a day really well spent.

Chapter 6 Lot's wife and the sandstorm in the desert

(Photo Jesus Garcia Pastor)

The day begins very soon. The previous day tute Aitor not let me bathe in the Dead Sea, an obligation and it was there. Therefore, only the sun on the beach and follow the instructions I received. Do not stick your head under water and, of course, not to swallow water! The salinity of water is such that there is no life at sea. This is the most under the earth. The water is so dense it seems oil, and the flotation is complete, to the point that when you float it is difficult to put the legs under water. A strange feeling, surrounded by older people that uses the healing properties of Dead Sea. The hotel infrastructure in the area is brutal. This is a mix of Las Vegas, Benidorm ... What about Lourdes? For that, a mixture of these.

I take a good shower to remove any traces of salt and you're back on track. We take the van and go south direction. We note the salt from the Dead Sea shores and still see an impressive industry is "Dead Sea Works, one of the leading companies in Israel, for the extraction of salts and minerals from the Dead Sea. We also passed by the statue representing Salt Lot's wife. As told in the book of Genesis, when God would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah given the opportunity to flee to Lot and his family with the condition that they not look back. Lot's wife did not comply and was turned into a pillar of salt ...

We are about to begin the last stage. In it we discover the Negev Desert, glued to the Jordanian border. This area is absolutely dedicated to greenhouses which reminds me of the area of \u200b\u200bEl Ejido Almeria. We have in this area of \u200b\u200bthe desert (yes, in the desert, do not forget) is grown on 30% of fruits and vegetables that are consumed in Europe. Awesome. We passed through villages filled with Thais, who are working there and fight the high temperatures in the desert. We enjoy a tough stage with lots of wind, lots of sand and a menacing signs for minefields with us. You have to pedal hard and pray. Finally we had to pray. Was the fate of this trip!

And even with all the variety that we live was much to discover, from the Sea of Galilee to Mount Hermon, the highest altitude of the country. Israel is, without doubt, a land that deserves to be revisited.

New Cars Are Normal Goods

Coll d'Ares-Montsec Observatory, surrounded by stars

(Published in the journal n.35 BB. Photo: Sergi Ros)

Few sensations comparable to discover a new rise. In the forums Internet this port had already earned its reputation and level of Catalunya few new ports have caused such excitement. Maybe Serra Seca (Tour over for him) to be at its height.

is a well-known port name: Coll d'Ares. But today we will discover it has nothing to do with other ports in the same mythological name (Ares was the god of war in Greek mythology). Coll d'Ares have in Girona, Catalan side with their born in Camprodon and lasts from French side of Molló Prats and the port of Mars (or Confrides by the other side) in Castellón.

But it is in the Sierra Montsec in Lleida and has been recently paved (2007). It is a narrow road that has no doubt been paved to allow access to Astronomical Observatory has recently been opened and part of the promotion Montsec the Consortium is doing to make known their natural charms. Surely the sky is one of Montsec strengths and there are directing their efforts.

We can not refer to the tourist attractions of Montsec without reference to Mont-Rebei Congosto formed by the river Noguera Ribagorçana to cross the Montsec . E l is one great gorge de Catalunya that is more or less virgin without the cross any road, railway or power line. Only one road passes through partially excavated in the rock that allows you to enjoy this place in a spectacular way. The gorge walls reach up to more than 500 meters vertical drop. Too bad Hence we can not get the road bike, only with the mountain. Now that winter has arrived if the wheels change us fine for the fat can be an excellent alternative.

The scheduled departure was no less spectacular. It was not just discover Coll d'Ares and Astronomical Observatory, but also the incentives of Montllobar and Castell de Mur. 100 km very completito. On this occasion, moreover, I looked grupete had his joke. Jordi Fonollosa , ideologist of the output and an expert area, Dani, Uri and Juan Carlos Cariñena former professionals. A grupete luxury to be in poor condition. A day to enjoy cycling could quickly turn into a day of suffering. Fortunately, the fact allowed to go taking pictures go regrouping. That and the good people who are these cracks in the bike and fans of the climbs.

If the output was trying to find a place to admire the night sky Lleida, which afforded us the destination was a day perfect climatically. The sky was clear, the air had blown the day before had left the atmosphere limpia como pocas veces, y con el marco del Montsec, la verdad es que no podíamos sentirnos más afortunados.

El lugar de salida fue Cellers, pequeño pueblo a sólo 12 kilómetros de Tremp y junto al pantano de Terradets. El hotel es el lugar ideal para dejar los coches y a la vuelta poder comer algo antes de volver a casa. La salida la hacemos dirección sur hacia la localidad de Ager, donde nace este pequeño coloso de Coll d’Ares con sus 14 kilómetros de longitud que a través de una carretera estrecha nos llevará in just over three miles Observation Center of the Universe (COU), an entertainment area that features interactive multimedia planetarium dome observation 12 meters in diameter. That's where there is usually a permanent exhibition and is a center more scientific outreach. The road continues to climb steadily, the pavement in perfect condition and fence wood protection is a luxury. The road draws curious shapes which can show off our photographer Sergi and permanently offers a great view of the valley.

Once crowned Coll d'Ares, we have a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees and the valley. To the right is a paragliding launch area. The scenery is breathtaking. Vertigo. The Montsec is isolated and while one hand is seen in the Pyrenees on the other we can see even the mountain of Montserrat, and very close to Barcelona. And everything from a relatively modest altitude, such as 1,534 meters to crowning the port. But to get to the Astronomical Observatory will still need a little more effort and overcoming the toughest of the ramps, concrete and up to 20%. Spectacular.

The decrease is longer, going down Alsamora has more than seventeen miles, and maintains the same vein as the rise, asphalt in good condition except for a kilometer with a floor badly damaged if not bad solemnity, and his departure brought down Dani. What happens when you bend too much and the soil is full of gravel. How it should be for it to fall Dani, a guy I've seen up in the middle two wheels and take off the legs folded up ...

Shortly after we Montañana Bridge and go toward Tremp, capital of the region of Pallars Jussà, climbing the 10 km of Montllobar. There rediscover what we already know. Our sport does not reward the genes, not simply reward good physical condition, but are excellent. Cycling rewards effort, sacrifice, hard training. And this can happen that I see going up the side of a runner capable of winning three Climbing to Montjuic to U23. I love John Carlos, a former professionals that without training or motivation does not have the miles in the legs enough to require the maximum. Here are the rest of the grupete and the rest of the club to convert to an excellent professional with no fortune in your step for cycling, a great companion of cyclists battle that will surely help us to enjoy even more of the bike outings. A couple more outings like this and we will have in the boat, hooked back to suffer but also to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that offers the mountain. without the stress of competition, just for the pleasure of overcoming it.

What other ports can combine this ascension? In our case we did a route of 100 km Ares, Montllobar and Castell de Mur, an output 2300 meters of altitude and probably in a professional test phase would not be a queen, but I assure you would hit more than one. There are other possibilities as Fontllonga, port road and not too wide gap but with excellent views of Marsh Camarasa. Even is interesting to note the rise to Llimiana and then to Hostal Roig.

The year 2009 welcomed the first edition of Marx's Montsec, which explores exactly all these ports. Long version reaches 156 km and climbs all: Port d'Ager, Coll d'Ares, Fontllonga Montllobar and a cumulative drop of 3,100 meters , almost nothing. If you want to crush early July, and what you can aim for next year.

Tremp In the area also include the conclusion of the march cyclist "The Pallaresa" which is mostly played in early September and has a tour classic and up the grueling Coll Singing and the most modest of Boixols Coll, sometimes in one direction and sometimes in opposite directions. Coll d'Ares also be combined with these increases if you want to squeeze thoroughly.

In short, although not a Centre with the recent cycling history Calar Alto and especially the size of the Roque de los Muchachos, this small observatory has characteristics that other attractions, and how, to cicloescalador.

Finally we had to agree with the daytime sky, it is not enough, although we were not seeing the stars in the sky Montsec. While the stars well thought I had at my side. How I can define but people who walk as Dani, Uri, John or Juan Carlos?