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.