UNDERGROUND GUIDE TO ISRAEL
Oasis on Two Wheels
Just a stone’s throw from where David slew nullliath By Joni Kwinter
Rather than walking in the footsteps of ancient tional cycling team uses this route for train-
history, have you ever considered cycling ing and you may nullust run into some of its
those footsteps? members along the trail or ennulloying a treat
The roundtrip ride from Jerusalem to at the barnull If not the national team, you are
Barbahar, or as locals refer to the region, guaranteed to meet friendly cyclists willing to
the Swiss Mountains of Israel, provides share stories with younull
the perfect opportunity for anybody look- nulleep your ears sharp and you will hear tales
ing to enullerience some history while con - of the legendary Bar nulliora climbnull Take note of
nulluering challenging climbs and ennullying the detailsnull you now have earned the right to
enullilarating descentsnull repeat the storiesnull nullespite the lack of signage
The reward for your accomplishmentnull and fanfare, the ferocious climb that got you
the incredible views afforded from Jeru- to the bar was the Bar nulliora climbnull Simon Bar
salemnulls highest peak, nutritious and deli- nulliora was a leader of the dagger-wielding Si-
cious meals, and the opportunity to meet carii faction during the Jewish revolt against
other cyclists at this Israeli cycling oasisnull nullome in the nullrst century nullnullnull nullhile enduring
Barbahar translates to bar in the moun- the challenging climb, relanull, celebrate that no for a snack at Barbaharnull
tains, so yes, your ultimate destination is a nullomans are chasing you and before you know
The trail is one of
This ride is best done with a guide if you
barnullnullnull The bar is more dairy restaurant than it, the climb will be donenull
Jerusalem’s best kept
are not familiar with the areanull
barnull nullriginally built by the Jewish nullational nulls you ennulloy a well deserved snack at
secrets, known only
nullor information on guided single day rides
nullund, it is currently owned by two nullnull-year- Barbahar, ennulloy the breathtaking view of to ancient zealots in the Jerusalem vicinity, contact nullrenull nullohen
old Israelis with a passion for off-road cyclingnull the Sorenull Stream and the nulllah nullalley where and modern cyclists at erenullpolinullnullnullnullnullnetnullilnull nullor multi-day bike
nulls cyclists, nullmir nulldiri and Marchi nullavon un- nullavid showed nulloliath that sinulle doesnnullt al- as Joni Kwinter (top trips throughout Israel, contact nullimrod at
derstand the gastronomic pleasures of cyclists ways matter during their famous battlenull
right, middle) and her
Bike Israel, nimrodhnullbenullenullintnullnetnull fn
and do an enullcellent nullob of catering to themnull If you only do one bike tour in your life,
friends discovered
Joni Kwinter is an avid cyclist and coordi-
nulleep your eyes open and focus on the co- this is one to considernull nullor cyclists who pre- nator of Courage in Motion, a cycling fund-
lourful cycling nullerseys if you can remove your fer off road cycling, this region has a multi- raiser for Beit Halochem – Aid to Disabled
ganulle from the panoramic viewsnull Israelnulls na- tude of spectacular trails that also provide nulleterans of nullsraelnull
nullhotos by Joni Kwinter January/February 2010 friday night 41
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