Probably the most intense challenge for me so far was the bike path at Bruma Road (Derech Bruma) outside Jerusalem. We went off-road riding through the mountains and the temperature was a balmy 42 degrees Centigrade, or 108 Farenheit for those of you reading in the U.S. of A.
I personally struggled throughout the course to keep up with the group as well as stay hydrated in the heat (interesting fact for everyone playing the home version- clear urine is a sign of being adequately hydrated). The ride was a challenge, but was not being judged competitively until the last 2km, where we were launched in 10-second increments and sprinted to the end of the course.
I brought up the rear throughout the entire ride, where our awesome medic Tal and a truck driven by the course staff were there to help out whomever needed help or support. Wich was pretty much me. I was really embarassed about being at the back of the pack, especially when I had to stop at several inclined hills and walk with my bike because my legs were so sore (we hiked a mountain and ran through Tel Aviv the day before this challenge).
I have always struggled with comparing myself to other people, and I kept apologizing for making everyone else wait for me to catch up and/or go at a slower pace than they would prefer. Eventually I decided to focus not on winning or keeping up with everyone, but on finishing the course. There were a few times where I thought I would not be able to continue and was going to put my bike in the truck, but I decided after many rest/water breaks to embrace the spirit of the Israel Challenge and push through the discomfort and embarassment and cross the finish line on my bike.
I launched from the sprinting line last, but I crossed the finish with my head held high beneath my sweat-soaked helmet.
-Sweaty bus blogger Maureen Ballin
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