Back on my bike.

I have a dear friend whom I know already for about 50 years.

She has a PhD in social work.

We have a talk once a year, because we share our birth dates. If that wouldn't be the case we would talk twice a year.

Usually it is about the kids and the grandchildren.

Her field of expertise is dealing with elderly people. She asked me what I am doing with my free time now I am retired. I retired some years ago and was busy doing all kind of tasks  I neglected.

The biggest project was updating and redecorating my house. It was a huge one.

I also have some hobbies and I guided groups of foreign tourists  around the country, as I also am a licensed tour-guide.

This was a kind of hobby and work, because I love touring the country.

I also like photographing and people say I am quite good in it.

I also am a radio amateur (4Z5UY) with a very minimalist station. As my hearing was damaged during my military service, I don't hear very well and that is the reason I prefer digital modes.

( My Radio Ham page )

The question about what I am doing with my free time bothered me and I started thinking what I could do and enjoy. Preferable it would have to be something good for my health.

As child I rode on a bike, mainly to school, but also around the country. 

I became an only child during the first years at secondary school and had a very few friends. So I would take my bike and make very long trips. I loved it.

Till some years ago I would bike around in the area where I live. As the infrastructure in this country for biking is very poor, it was extremely dangerous. One day as I was on my way a driver almost killed when he ran into me. I heard a car approaching me and looked in my mirror. The only solution was to jump from my bike and roll over the shoulder of the road into the ditch at the side of the road. My bike was totally ruined and I had a traumatic shock. The guy who just almost killed me apparently was busy doing something else and didn't look at the road.

I also used to run till my knees started to hurt, then I swapped running with walking.  The problem with walking for me is that it goes too slowly and therefor it bores me.
I bought a new bike and used it several years, but my work didn't leave me much spare time and I left it and gave it to my youngest son.

After the question of my friend I wanted to go back to cycling but in a way that would suit my age and physical condition, which is OK, but not brilliant and nothing to complain about.
After much thinking I bought a pedal assisted e-bike. It helps me, but leaves enough space to work on my fitness. 

So now I ride every day in the paths and dirt roads in my area, avoid riding on main roads, look at the nature and enjoy it immensely.  

On one of my trips my started to behave in an odd way and after inspecting it thoroughly I found a crack in the frame.
It was a manufacturer fault and as it was still under warranty I managed to swap it for a better one.
    

One of the favourite spots I visit almost every day is Agamon Hefer which was a fish farm pool and is now transformed into a nature reserve.
You can see there in the right season Pelicans, Cormorants, Black and White Storks, Jackals and Wilds Boars. 

Today it was the first really rainy day of the year, "the former rain" - Hayoreh, as it is called in the Old Testament - Deuteronomy 11:14.
There was not a single spot in my body that stayed dry and it was great fun.