Are u free during April - the first holyland MTB challenge

[JonCox]

Guys,

I just got back to the UK from a week in Israel where I hooked up with Zohar. Having ridden a tiny bit of the HLC route with him and having been shown the rest of it, I believe that this race will become a bikepacking classic. Any bike packer who has the means to get out there should do so. Why am I so enthusiastic?

1. Israel is one of the interesting countries on the planet and Israelis are amazingly welcoming to visitors/tourists.

2. The HLC route has been specifically designed to maximise the 'Israel experience'. Racers are going to see mountains, the Mediterrean coast, Tel Aviv, the ancient quarter of Jerusalem, woodland, the desert and the Red Sea.

3. The route takes in some of key religious sites such as the place where Jesus (reportedly!) walked on the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem. Even if you are an atheist like me these places are bloody interesting!

4. The route is technically demanding and fun.

5. It will definately be sunny!

See you there!

Jon

PS. Speaking as someone who works in the security sector, I can say that you have nothing to be concerned about from a security perspective. British Foreign Office advice is here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel

The route does not enter any area that the FCO advises travel against and there is nothing out there that will eat you!

[james-o]

Have to agree with everything Jon says above - it was an amazing route. I may have said something different on the last day in the desert but that's just a measure of how tough the route is (and how I don't cope so well in the heat! Mad dogs and Englishmen in the mid-day sun.. )

The guys in Israel put on a great event and were so welcoming. It's a fascinating journey through varying terrain and historic places - well worth considering for a tour as well as a race. Rated!!

Pics here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/67338272@N05/







It's not all desert though - the route includes long sections of some of the most enjoyable singletrack I've ridden, pine forests and open rolling double-track.