Chabad of Poway and the yeshiva from LA that stayed over for a Shabbaton. It was a cultural experience meeting many lubavitchers, and partaking in the farbrengens.
It was interesting to experience the different universe of Chabad, and to come to the understanding that all Jews are really very similar, yet there is just a different emphasis put in different places by all the different sects.
Minyanim ran perfectly on time, the Rabbi was friendly and glowed with rays of Kabbalah, and all the Bochrim and shluchim were very friendly.
Eli learned by himself, again. A BBQ was served on motzei shabbos, and we all crashed to sleep.
We traded 5 miles distance for 1500 feet of elevation and at one point a 20% gradient. On some of the climbs I honestly felt my bike would flip over. The two B4Falumni that joined us livened things up but were kinda slow, sorry guys, you chose to get married and become chubby. There was much hype for Moshe to beat the KOM on a climb right before the end of the ride, but Moshe declared heat exhaustion and Yoel left him in his dust. Overall, the condensed climbing was tough, but we all made it, except for the two bikers that joined us for the day, we’re pretty sure they got dropped and eaten by vultures. We then arrived at the Apple Tree Inn, where we all needed to make our scrambled eggs by ourselves like big boys (humph!).
After Ari demonstrated his Gordon Ramsey egg making skills, everyone but Ari and Shalom chickened out of going to the town. Yoel slipped on the very slippery stairs of the pool and bruised his elbow, and everyone passed out sleeping until a dinner of rice and wing soup. We then all failed at trying to fall asleep by 8:00 pm, and somehow found time to daven (edit: no autocorrect, one can’t “Daven” maariv) maariv before the next day of riding across America for Friendship Circle.
June 18th: The day began with an early call for Shacharis at the Chabad house - a 7:00 AM start that was playfully resisted until about 7:15. The morning prayers, infused with unexpected singing (a first for me hearing אל תירא), set a spirited tone for the day ahead, a day dedicated to our mission with Friendship Circle and Bike 4 Friendship.
Breakfast was a cyclist's fuel - toast, cereal, bananas, and other essentials, complemented by a briefing from Chanania. His message was clear: this is not summer camp, we're not here for leisure, but as a committed team on a significant journey. Moshe, with an almost magical efficiency, assembled all our bikes, defying the laws of time and space with his two hands.
While Yoel and Chanania tended to the Black Stealth at the bike shop, ensuring it was primed for our journey, the rest of us made a curious expedition to Target. There, I found myself more fascinated by the home improvement section and its array of chairs than by the actual necessities.
The afternoon brought us to La Jolla beach for the quintessential bike dipping ceremony - a symbolic start to our cross-country adventure with Friendship Circle. Yoel initially hesitated to dip his bike, citing concerns over the notorious fragility of Chinese craftsmanship against sand. However, Moshe's persistence won, and the ceremony proceeded. Eli, our modern-day Nachshon ben Aminadav, was the first to brave the seaweed and crabs, his bike making the inaugural splash.
Our ride commenced with smooth roads and gentle elevations. It wasn't without its hiccups - Natan, myself, and Yoel each experienced the minor setback of a dropped chain. Yoel's suspicion of a loose component on his bike was confirmed post-ride - a sabotaged chain ring, inadequately secured by a mechanic not fond of oval rings.
We concluded our day back at the Chabad of Poway, hearts full and spirits high, united by our commitment to Bike 4 Friendship and the values of the Friendship Circle. This journey is more than a bike ride; it's a testament to teamwork, resilience, and the joy of shared experiences.
June 17th:
Today embarked on an unexpected luxury start to our cross-country biking adventure for Friendship Circle. Natan and I found ourselves whisked to Midway in a limo service, courtesy of a luxury SUV. The journey was made more engaging with our Polish driver Marcin, who shared fascinating tales from his life, adding a personal touch to our ride.
Upon reaching Midway, a wave of relief washed over us as we made our flight seamlessly, a testament to Natan's efficient planning. Our journey included a brief layover in St Louis for refueling, a necessity due to a curious case of "ghost weight" (edit: There's a corporate explanation involving legal weight limits, though some prefer a more mystical interpretation involving men in white robes).
Our destination, San Diego, greeted us with its welcoming warmth. Here, we were joined by Yoel, loaded with his gear for the journey ahead. Our transport to the Chabad house in Poway was an exercise in teamwork and thriftiness, saving us a hefty Uber fare. The back of the mini-truck was our makeshift seating, offering an intimate space for camaraderie.
The Chabad house, a beacon of high security and warmth, welcomed us. Here, we met the likes of Stone Cold Moshe, Ari, Shalom, and Rabbi Rubenfeld. Their hospitality was a comfort, a gentle reminder of the community spirit driving our journey. As the night drew in, we settled into our first rest, minds buzzing with anticipation for the miles and experiences that lay ahead on this Jewish charity bike ride across America.
