Last day of riding for ARAVA HAZON Israel Ride. On the road at 6:30 am, biked 50 miles, from Kibbutz Ketura to Eilat.  Another 3500 feet of elevation, with 25 miles of slow and steady rising, hill after hill.   Grueling uphill and long, amazing descents, with the Red Sea beckoning, Jordanian Mountains along our left, Egyptian border all along our right, biking down the Arava valley.  Army jeeps are a constant companion, and shots in the background, two checkpoints for security along the way. Topography changing from limestone to granite mountains. Heat rising to 90 degrees. Finally, the Eilat mountains, red and black, stark and bare, in front of us, a 5 mile descent to Eilat, the ancient port city.  Speeds approaching 45 mile per hour in descent.  In Eilat, popsicles awaiting our arrival, a police escort for the 6 mile ride to our hotel on the Red Sea, and finally, FINALLY, a splash in the sea with our bikes!

In total, finished biking 300 miles over the five day ride.  130 plus bikers, and 2 dozen staff, students, guides and mechanics, from so many states and countries. We showed that we can ride for the environment. We can ride for peace in the Middle East. We can challenge ourselves physically, make many, many new friends, and give thanks for the many blessings we have around us each and every day.  Thank you to all those who supported our ride.  We raised close to $18,000 with Team Tar Heels.

On my way home tomorrow.