Israel - Gravel Tour

October 18-23, 2022: Israel Gravel Tour

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The Bartali - Youth in Movement Gravel Tour is a unique charity ride from the north of Israel to Jerusalem that gathers cycling enthusiasts from all over the world to ride and raise funds to support Bartali - Youth in Movement educational programs around Israel.

The Tour:

Experience beautiful landscapes, outstanding food, world-class support, and mile after mile of rolling gravel roads through some of Israel’s most spectacular scenery. 

You'll get to visit Bartali - Youth in Movement's cycling centers, get an inside view into our educational work, share some memorable journeys on the bike with the students and make a significant impact on the lives of some amazing Israeli youth.

The Ride:

Bartali Gravel Tour welcomes riders of all levels as we specifically chose smooth non-technical paths. You will ride in one of three guided groups based on your experience  and ability:

· ​Level 1 - Relaxed: 2.5-3 hours of daily rides, mild climbs, and descents

· Level 2 - Intermediate: 3-4 hours with some climbs and descents

· Level 3 - Advanced: 4-6 hours with challenging climbs and descents

Itinerary:

October 18, Tuesday - Upper Galilee 

Our opening day begins with a welcome reception in Tel Aviv. From there we will drive up to the Upper Galilee and, upon arrival, get on our bikes for a “Warm-Up” gravel ride along the Jordan river and a moving presentation about the Bartali Youth in Movement programs. 

30km / 100m ascent

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October 19, Wednesday - Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights

The theme of the day is climbing. But after conquering Israel’s highest peak, we will recover with a magnificent descent through the rolling roads of the Golan Heights, including a guided tour of some of Israel’s most important memorial sites.

80km / 1,250m ascent

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October 20, Thursday - Sea of Galilee to Mount Gilboa

Our day begins with a ride from the Sea of Galilee through the Jordan Valley and continues with a big climb to the Bartali cycling center at the Malkishua Youth Rehabilitation Village atop Mount Gilboa. The riding day concludes with a relaxing descent back to the valley and a refreshing dip in a stunning natural spring. 

100km / 950m ascent

October 21, Friday - Jezreel Valley & Jerusalem

Today, we will ride through the Jezreel Valley and the Menashe Forest, followed by a visit to the Bartali cycling center at the Ramat Hadassah Youth Village. Towards the end of our ride, we will drive to Jerusalem where we will spend Shabbat. 

35km / 400m ascent

October 22, Saturday - Jerusalem

Optional morning ride in the Jerusalem mountains

25km / 500m ascent

October 23, Sunday - Jerusalem to Ben Shemen Youth Village

The emotional highlight of our tour. We will ride together with some of the fantastic youth from Bartali’s programs from the Ellah Vally to Ben Shemen Youth Village. 

55km / 700m ascent

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Why Gravel?

When planning the Bartali Gravel Tour, we envisioned a ride that would enable riders from all levels to discover the beauty of the Israeli outdoors as we know it, while avoiding the risks of riding on busy roads.

The traffic in Israel is very hectic and many drivers are not attuned to cyclist safety. Gravel roads are much safer and more scenic and riding along these roads results in a much more fun, relaxed, and enjoyable cycling experience.  

In general, gravel riding is characterized less by a focus on the “Finish Line” and more on the surpassing beauty of the journey itself and the people you ride with. 

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The tour will be led and supported by professional instructors and mechanics from the Bartali - Youth in Movement staff and young trainees.

Registration Fee & Donations​:

Israel -  Gravel Tour is a fundraising ride with the goal of supporting “Bartali - Youth in Movement '' programs in their different locations around Israel. 

​Registration to the event includes an entry fee of USD $950 in donation to Bartali - Youth in Movement. Registration and initial donation must be completed before October 1, 2022.

In addition to the entry fee, each rider must make a commitment to raise another USD $3,600 or more by October 1, 2022, in donations to “Bartali - Youth in Movement”. A personal fundraising page is available for you to set up once you register.

The event is limited to 80 participants. Registration ends on October 1st, 2022.

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Tax receipts will be issued for all donations from the country your sponsors select. Any shortfall in the fundraising requirement must be covered by the cyclist to participate in the event.

Accommodation:

​Full board, 4-star hotels, based on double occupancy

​Full logistical support: before, during, and after rides

Pick-up/drop-off: Tel Aviv

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The participation package includes:

· 5 fully-supported cycling routes.

· 5 nights’ accommodation based on double occupancy (single rooms are available at additional cost)

· all meals, post-ride activities, snacks

· Bartali - Youth in Movement kit: cycling Jersey, gloves and socks, cap, polo shirt.

· Group activities following each ride: visit a local Winery, guided tours of Israel’s most important memorial sites an inspiring meeting with Bartali - Youth in Movement's staff, guided tours of the youth villages in which Bartali - Youth in Movement operates and an extraordinary finishers celebration with the participation of all the members of Bartali - Youth in Movement's programs.

The package does not include flights and arrival to and from Tel Aviv.

I am not experienced in Gravel riding. Should I join the ride?

While avoiding main busy roads, the route will include plenty of roads made of asphalt. We have invested huge efforts in designing a balanced route that can accommodate riders of virtually every level.

We highly recommend that road riders with little or no off-road experience try gravel riding ahead of the event to be better prepared.

Participants may ride gravel or mountain bikes and we highly recommend that you bring your own. However, for those who do not have access to their own bike, we can arrange for the rental of mountain and electric mountain bikes.

About the Bartali Youth in Movement educational programs:

Bartali - Youth in Movement (NGO) operates a network of cycling centers for at-risk students in youth villages and welfare boarding facilities around Israel.

​The organization leverages the passion for cycling towards empowering youth, developing self-responsibility, resilience, perseverance, and determination.

The strenuous physical movement on the bike equips the students with the right tools to overcome formidable obstacles, strive for a better future and pave their way toward social mobility.

Through this charity ride, you will be able to experience incredible gravel roads along some of Israel’s most beautiful scenery. You'll get to visit Bartali - Youth in Movement's cycling centers, get an inside view into our educational work, share some memorable journeys on the bike with the students and make a significant impact on the lives of some amazing Israeli youth.

Currently, we operate in 9 locations around Israel: Ben Shemen, Mevo’ot Yam, Ramat Hadassah, Alonei Yitzchak, Ayanot, Nahalal, Malkishua, Ahava and Shaab for a total of 300 participants.

The money you raise by participating in the event will be used for:

- Opening 3 new youth cycling centers in the coming school year

- Establishing additional 6 youth groups

- Purchasing 60 professional mountain bikes & cycling kits for our participants