Safety is always our top priority when planning and executing the Israel Ride. This is reflected in our carefully chosen routes, experienced staff and lead riders, and the presence of security and emergency medical support throughout the ride.
Our tentative route plan for the 2025 Israel Ride currently includes riding and rest stops south of Ashkelon, in or near communities bordering Gaza—areas that have been part of the ride since 2003. As always, the route is made in close consultation with the IDF and local police. If we determine that the route is not safe, we will adjust accordingly. For example, in 2014, due to safety concerns, we rerouted inland, bypassing Ashkelon and the border communities.
If we do ride through the Gaza envelope, it will be with the goal of hearing from local residents and gaining a deeper understanding of what the future holds for this vital region.
Rider Itinerary: Click on the orange tabs above to view daily schedules and itineraries. Please note that the Ride with GPS routes have not yet been updated. The current routes reflect previous years, which are very similar to this year’s.
Riding Groups
The Israel Ride has 3 riding and 1 non-riding group.
Each route offers different mileage, riding speeds, and unique experiences. All routes enjoy full support, stocked rest stops, and expert tour guides and educators.
- SHOMRIM ("Guards") Most fitting for Riders who are comfortable at a 10-12 mph pace in a rolling hill terrain (30-35 miles / day). Shomrim typically ride till lunch, with afternoon bus tours.
- TZOFIM ("Scouts") Most fitting for Riders who are comfortable at a 12-15 mph pace in a rolling hill terrain (45-70 miles / day). Tzofim, typically our largest group, goes from hotel to hotel.
- CHALUTZIM ("Pioneers") Most fitting for Riders who are comfortable at a 15-17 mph pace in a rolling hill terrain (55-90 miles / day). Chalutzim have extra hills and distances between overnights.
- CHAVERIM ("Friends") Our non-riding group.
Chaverim have a dedicated tour guide and visit sites along the way.
Mon Oct 27, 2025
Pre-Ride day in Jerusalem
* The first night of the Ride included with your registration is Tuesday, Oct 28, in Jerusalem. *
We have no official programming on Monday, but encourage riders to come early to Jerusalem.
Additional nights at the hotel are at the rider's cost.
Monday Pre-Ride Schedule
| 3:00 pm | Hotel rooms available for check-in |
| 4 – 6 pm | Israel Ride check-in and help desk open in the lobby |
| 6 - 8 pm | Dinner at respective hotels for anyone staying early |
| 8:30 – 10:30 pm | Israel Ride Check-in is open |
Tues Oct 28, 2025
Orientation in Jerusalem
The first night of the Ride included with your registration is Tuesday, Oct 28, in Jerusalem.
You must be at the hotel no later than noon, but your room may not be ready until 3 pm. You are responsible for your own transport to the Jerusalem hotel.
Our mechanics will be available to help assemble bikes or be fitted for a rental bike. There are two bike assembly times: morning and afternoon.
There are optional tours in the morning for those opting to get their bike ready in the afternoon. Chaverim are welcome to join any of the tours or spend the day exploring on their own until orientation. All participants are required to be at the orientation starting at 4:15 pm.
ACCOMMODATION: Shalom Hotel Jerusalem
Tuesday Schedule
Morning Bike Assembly and Afternoon Tour
| 8:00 am – Noon | Bike Assembly |
| 9:00 am – Noon | Israel Ride Check-In |
| Rental Bike Pick-Up | |
| 10:00 am | Test Rides Available |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 3:00 pm | Afternoon Tours |
Morning Tours and Afternoon Bike Assembly
| 8:00 am – Noon | Morning Tours |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Israel Ride Check In |
| Bike Assembly | |
| Rental Bike Pick-Up | |
| Test Rides Available |
Afternoon Activities for Everyone
| 3:00 pm | Women Rider Gathering |
| 4:15 | Israel Ride Welcome & Orientation MANDATORY |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Israel Ride Help Desk Open |
Wed Oct 29, 2025
Jerusalem to Ashkelon
Shomrim
Shomrim will take a bus to the outskirts of Jerusalem, and start riding on the same basic route as the Tzofim. After lunch Shomrim will continue riding to Beit Guvrin to take a tour of the Roman-era antiquities and underground cave system. Afterwards, they will be bused to the hotel in Ashkelon.
Accommodation: Tamara Ashkelon Hotel
Distance: 35 miles, 1900 feet climbing (580 m climbing)
Tzofim
Tzofim will be bused to the outskirts of Jerusalem, for the launch ceremony. The morning route will start with a long downhill from the Jerusalem hills, passing a few small communities in the area with one short climb. Lunch will be at Luzit. After lunch, the route heads west towards the Mediterranean coast, ending with a ride through the port city of Ashkelon.
Accommodation: Tamara Ashkelon Hotel
Distance: 55 miles, 2200 feet climbing (670 m climbing)
Chalutzim
Chalutzim will be bused to the edge of Jerusalem, for the launch ceremony at the village of Ein Karem. They then ride towards the other groups' starting point. Lunch will be at Luzit with the other groups, before heading to Ashkelon.
Accommodation: Tamara Ashkelon Hotel
Distance: 66 miles, 3400 feet climbing (1050 m climbing)
Thurs Oct 30, 2025
Ashkelon to the Northern Negev
Shomrim
The Shomrim (Bearing Witness group) will ride and visit various sites along the Gaza Envelope, concluding the day with a visit to the Nova Music Festival Memorial Park at Re’im. They will then be bussed to their overnight accommodations in the northern Negev, either at Mashabei Sadeh or Yerucham.
Accommodation: Mashabei Sadeh
Distance: 37 miles, 1400 feet climbing (425 m climbing)
Tzofim
The Tzofim group will ride from Nativ Ha’Asara along the Gaza Envelope, passing Be’eri and Tse’elim, and begin their ascent toward the country’s interior as the terrain shifts to desert. Their ride will end at Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh, on the northern edge of the desert.
Accommodation: Mashabei Sadeh or Yeruham
Distance: 68 miles, 2500 feet climbing (750 m climbing)
Chalutzim
The Chalutzim group will follow the same morning route as the Tzofim group, riding from Nativ Ha’Asara along the Gaza Envelope, passing Be’eri and Tse’elim, but will break for lunch later in the day at a desert oasis. After lunch, they’ll tackle a few additional climbs before ending the day in Yerucham.
Accommodation: Yeruham
Distance: 92 miles, 3000 feet climbing (900 m climbing)
Fri Oct 31, 2025
Northern Negev to Mitzpe Ramon
Shomrim
Shomrim ride through the northern Negev, stopping for lunch at Sde Boker with a visit to Ben Gurion’s grave. Afterwards, the group will explore Ein Avdat, a spectacular narrow canyon in the Negev. At the opening of the canyon the water of numerous springs descends into two deep pools in a series of waterfalls.
Accommodation: Daroma Hotel
Distance: 34 miles, 1800 feet climbing (550 m climbing)
Tzofim
Tzofim begin in Mashabei Sadeh, and will head east up some hills early in the morning for a first stop in Yerucham. Afterwards, the route heads south for lunch at Sde Boker and a visit to Ben Gurion’s grave. Tzofim will continue
riding south towards Mitzpe Ramon. The final miles are generally uphill, with a particularly steep climb just before our final rest stop, near the Nafha maximum security prison.
Accommodation: Daroma Hotel
Distance: 50 miles, 3800 feet climbing (1150 m climbing)
Chalutzim
Chalutzim ride along the Egyptian border for the morning and then head east to end up in Mitzpe Ramon, a town in the heart of the Negev perched atop Makhtesh Ramon, a giant erosion crater.
Accommodation: Daroma Hotel
Distance: 60 miles, 5140 feet climbing (1567 m climbing)
Sat Nov 1, 2025
Shabbat at Mitzpe Ramon
After three days of riding, the biking is interrupted by a much-needed day of rest for Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. Shabbat is an integral part of the Israel Ride. During the day, all programming is optional, but we offer communal prayer options, discussions, hikes, and yoga, plus opportunities to learn about the Arava Institute.
Many participants reunite with friends or family who are welcome to join as guests for the weekend. Guests can sign up through our online Forms Portal.
Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday, which occurs around 4:45 pm. We come together to mark the transition from the work week to the day of rest with candle lighting. There are prayer options led by Riders, organized by The Israel Ride, and other options may be available depending on the makeup of the ride community. Following services, we ask that all riders join us for a festive Shabbat dinner, which includes traditional songs and blessings over wine and bread.
On Saturday morning we host an intimate Shabbat service, led by many of the riders. There will also be options to explore the area, practice yoga, and more. In the afternoon, the alumni of the Arava Institute discuss their experiences living and learning together.
Shabbat closes with Havdalah, a ceremony that we conduct as the sun sets over the Dead Sea.
I really needed the day off this year to allow my body a day to rest and recover from the demands of the first 3 days of riding. Even though I do keep Shabbat, that sort of day of rest that is truly for both body and soul is never experienced on a regular basis.
— 2011 Rider
Sun Nov 2, 2025
Mitzpe Ramon to Arava Valley
Shomrim
Shomrim start with a stunning descent into Makhtesh Ramon, and then climb out the other side. After crossing a desert plateau, they cross Wadi Faran, one of the largest valleys crossing the Negev Desert, and have a short steep climb out before their final stop for the day. After lunch with the Tzofim at Shizafon, they will take a bus to Kibbutz Ketura for the afternoon activities at the Arava Institute.
Accommodation: Kibbutz Ketura Guest House & Lotan
Distance: 32 miles, 1700 feet climbing (525 m climbing)
Tzofim
Tzofim will descend into Makhtesh Ramon and spend most of their day on the main north-south road in the center of the Negev desert. After climbing out of the Makhtesh, they cross the desert plateau, climb out of the Faran valley, and then have lunch at Shizafon with the Shomrim. After a final descent, an afternoon of activities awaits at Kibbutz Ketura and the Arava Institute.
Accommodation: Kibbutz Ketura Guest House & Lotan
Distance: 62 miles, 3000 feet climbing (900 m climbing)
Chalutzim
Chalutzim will follow the Tzofim route south, but will ride faster and have lunch further south. They will add an out-and-back spur that goes to Shacharut, a small desert community overlooking the Arava Valley. They retrace their route a little, and end the day with the descent into the valley itself, joining the other riders at Kibbutz Ketura and the Arava Institute.
Accommodation: Kibbutz Ketura Guest House & Lotan
Distance: 89 miles, 3800 feet climbing (1150 m climbing)
Kibbutz Ketura Afternoon Schedule
All participants will end the day at Kibbutz Ketura, home of the Arava Institute, where we have an afternoon of tours and activities. Half the group will be staying at nearby kibbutzim - we have options to shower at Ketura and enjoy the afternoon programming, or shuttles available to the other guest houses, returning in time for the evening briefing.
| ~2 pm | Shomrim arrive (by bus) |
| ~3:00 | All other groups arrive at Ketura (by bike) |
| 3:45 | Various tours of Ketura and Arava Institute |
| 6:00 | Meet and greet with current students |
| 7:00 | Evening briefing |
| 8:00 | Dinner |
Mon Nov 3, 2025
Arava Valley to Eilat
Shomrim
The Shomrim will start the day on a bus tour of Timna, a geological and archaeological park, site of the oldest copper mines in the world (from the time of King Solomon) and windswept sandstorm rock formations. They will join the rest of the group for lunch, at mile 30 of the Tzofim chart below, and then ride the final 17 miles into Eilat.
Accommodation: Riders are responsible for their own accommodation
Distance: 15 miles 550 feet (150 m) climbing
Tzofim
Tzofim start the day by being bussed up out of the Arava Valley, and begin riding where they turned off the cental desert road the day before. Most of the route follows the Egyptian border, which can be clearly seen from the road. After lunch, there is one final climb before descending to Eilat, where we will ride as a group to the beach.
Accommodation: Riders are responsible for their own accommodation
Distance: 45 miles, 2600 feet climbing (800 m climbing)
Chalutzim
Chalutzim will start with a 4 mile climb out of the Arava valley, and then continue riding through the desert to lunch. After lunch, there is one final climb before descending into Eilat, where we will ride as a group to the beach.
Accommodation: Riders are responsible for their own accommodation
Distance: 55 miles, 4000 feet climbing (1200 m climbing)
Tues Nov 4, 2025
Post-Ride Travel Day
Our final day of the Ride is a travel day for most participants. Ahead of the Ride, the Israel Ride will help book your travel back north, either a bus to Jerusalem or a flight to Tel Aviv.
You can book your domestic travel using your online Forms Portal.
The Israel Ride staff is available through 10 am to assist with any post-Ride needs.