Sunday, November 16, 2008

Day Four

Days like today make me want to stop writing and taking photographs altogether. The problem is that they point out how useless my words and images are in describing the indescribable. There were moments today that were as close to being in heaven as I can imagine. Long thrilling descents at bicycle speeds I have never before approached, on open roads, with sweeping vistas of canyons or mesas or whatever they are, behind more canyons or mesas—colors and shapes in all directions filling my heart and soul. We had three major runs of this magnitude. In between there were periods of rolling hills, and of course some challenging ascents to get us to the point where we could take off on the downhills.

Every once in awhile throughout the ride there are these little pin pricks of consciousness where in addition to what is right in front of me—the road, the sun, the terrain, fellow cyclists—a little place in me has this revelation that “Oh my God, all these months of planning and training, and fund raising, have come to this moment. Yes! I am in Israel! I am over two hundred miles into this amazing challenge. It is now! It is real!” I drink it in and I know that as hard as it is to convey to you the majesty before me, only a part of it will stay in my memory. It is more than I can capture. I pray that at some level the experience will live on in me at another level that my brain alone is incapable of maintaining.

I had one other reflection during a period where the group had gotten stretched out, leaving me to riding without any other riders in sight—the peace of pedaling alone in the vast expanse, with only the sound of my bicycle rolling down the road. I have at various times here and elsewhere had the experience of riding alone and feeling truly alone, uncertain of where I am and where I am headed—a sense of alienation. I have also had experiences of being with a group and uncomfortable with the direction or the pace. Today I had the unique experience of my personal space and freedom while at the same time knowing that I am part of not only a highly organized group, but more important a loving and supporting community—a chevre. The combination of these thoughts provided a great sense of satisfaction.

Tonight we stay at Kibbutz Ketura, with its immense grove of date palms—their largest source of income. Tomorrow Eilat! This trip is in its waning stages. At one rest stop today I had to take the advice that I used to give every Bar or Bat Mitzvah. I stopped to look around, drink in the joy around me, and truly appreciate the moment. I suppose I should have said shehekhiyanu—it was one of those moments that I was very grateful to have been brought to.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi Yeshaya,
I am really enjoying following the Israel Ride through your blog. Your writing is beautiful! My best friend Kathy is your "bicycle wife"! Please tell her that I said hi and that I wish both of you a happy last day of riding!!
-Robin