Out of Hibernation

So I guess some people are getting either curious or worried about me since I have been off the radar for a while.  I have been trying to keep a low profile lately, keep my head down and take in all that has happened.  I have been working a little at a cafe, and also washing dishes and cooking for a B&B.  I have also been exploring the desert area via motorcycle, mountain bike or just on foot.  As you can imagine the winters in Israel are pretty mild and perfect for getting outdoors.  I have also been getting to know Shalom which is fun and exciting, and soooo new for me.  I mean, 10 years with the same person is a long time, and my experience before that was, lets just say, lacking.

When I started out last May my plans where to ride with Irish from Cork to Cape.  It was something that was set in motion 6 years ago, and despite ourselves we thought it was a good idea.  For many reasons that trip did not work out, but I am happy that I am able to continue in any shape or form.  My new plan is to ride to Mongolia with Shalom.  He has dreamed of riding his motorcycle around the world for many years.  In the past he was always riding a little at a time, but in the end having to get back to work.  I guess I was the catalyst he needed, and we are both happy and excited to be heading in this new direction.  He has worked hard to finish up his job on good terms, sell many of his belongings, say goodbye to friends and family, and fix his bike up just right.

In the process of him working on his motorcycle, I got to give mine some love as well.  We put in a new rear shock and front fork springs which has raised the hight of my bike and has made a tremendous improvement to it’s riding performance.  I also replaced the battery (who knew that 40,000 mikes was a lot for a battery) and the steering bearings because they were totally shot.  I have to thank the Alexim motorcycle garage in Tel Aviv because they have really looked out for me and my motorcycle.

So now we are ready to go.  The other week we went for a short trial ride up into the mountains of Jerusalem to test everything out and get used to the weight of the motorcycles again.  The weather was nice and warm (which is not what we are expecting on our way to Mongolia) and the roads nice and twisty.  And last Saturday we got invited to ride with the Israeli Motorcycle Club on an “off road” route.  There was about a dozen riders and a few other following with enthusiasm in their cars.  There’s not many women riders here, so of corse, everyone is most impressed that I can ride such a “big, heavy motorcycle”.  I can feel that my off road skills have improved a lot since I’ve been here, but honestly I just surround myself with good riders and follow their lead.  
Now, sometimes on this journey being a women makes things extra hard (like taking a piss when your riding with a group of men), and then there are times where it’s to my benefit (like when I got pulled over for speeding in Croatia).  And when I got a puncture in my rear tire on the club ride it proved once again a benefit to be a woman rider.  Not more than 30 minutes into the ride I pulled over to check my tire pressure because a warning light had come on.  I was quickly surrounded by 4 other riders making sure I was okay.  Luckily Shalom had a good pump with him, and Amit, with plenty of experience with punctures, swooped in to remove the piece of metal and put a plug in.  I normally carry everything I need with me to do the same job, but had taken my boxes off for the days ride.  With these men’s eagerness and proficiency on working with motorcycles, I don’t think they would have let me patch my tire even if I wanted to.  So, when women ask me if I’m scared to ride, or what will I do if I drop my motorcycle, or if it brakes down, I tell them no, I am not worried.  I am confident in my own skill (to their limit of corse) but know that help will always come.