Holy Sheep Peleton

[PBWrench]

Last week I was in Israel on a business trip and was able to get away for a day of mountain riding. On a descent in the Judean Hills, west of Jerusalem and heading towards Bet Shemesh, I encountered a very fleecy peleton. They seemed unconcerned, but next time I'll be sure to wear a Woolrich jersey. Cheers.

[bumperjohn]

Very cool, but small, picture!

[93legendti]

I'm jealous.

I hear Beit Shemesh is Israel's bicylcing capital...true?

[PBWrench]

I fixed the picture! There is good cycling outside of Bet Shemesh in the area around Mevo Betar especially.

[93legendti]

I fixed the picture! There is good cycling outside of Bet Shemesh in the area around Mevo Betar especially.

If it has Betar in the name, it must be good. :)

Bruchim Habayim!

[rwsaunders]

That looks like West Virginia prom date territory.

[regularguy412]

That looks like West Virginia prom date territory.

There were NO Scotsmen in that pic. Wait. PB isn't Scottish, is he?

:beer:
Mike in AR

[Marco]

I can't tell: is that a red heifer or are you riding red?


ESpitz was clearly riding someones yo

[Peter P.]

Not a good scene; shepherds on mountain bikes will put sheepdogs out of a job...;-)

[Sandy]

Not a good scene; shepherds on mountain bikes will put sheepdogs out of a job...;-)

Don't think so.Look closely at the photo. The sheep are going in a zillion directions. The shepherd on the mountain bike is going in another direction. The sheepdogs are taking a nap waiting for a cry for help at which time they will ask for shorter working hours and more treats! :)

Neat photo.


Sheepdog Sandy

[sspielman]

Ollie's services are needed......
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=57579&postcount=12

[Sandy]

If you look carefully you will see Ollie covered his eyes with some of his hair. Figured he could still do a better job than some human on a bicycle. :rolleyes: :)


Sandy

[sspielman]

If you look carefully you will see Ollie covered his eyes with some of his hair. Figured he could still do a better job than some human on a bicycle. :rolleyes: :)


Sandy

I'm not sure how, but he sees fine through all of that...much of the time, we keep his hair trimmed away a little bit because some other dogs don't like not being able to see his eyes...

So many herding dogs have the shaggy hair covering their eyes...I have heard theories that it helps them in their herding because the sheep don't know where they are looking or if they are asleep...OR it may be just because they are all interconnected to the same shaggy dog bloodlines...

In any event, Ollie WOULD DEFINITELY have restored order to that flock of sheep...he herds EVERYTHING...One time he escaped and we found him at a nearby pond....herding the geese from one side to the other....

[Sandy]

I'm not sure how, but he sees fine through all of that...much of the time, we keep his hair trimmed away a little bit because some other dogs don't like not being able to see his eyes...

So many herding dogs have the shaggy hair covering their eyes...I have heard theories that it helps them in their herding because the sheep don't know where they are looking or if they are asleep...OR it may be just because they are all interconnected to the same shaggy dog bloodlines...

In any event, Ollie WOULD DEFINITELY have restored order to that flock of sheep...he herds EVERYTHING...One time he escaped and we found him at a nearby pond....herding the geese from one side to the other....

I sometimes see dogs with hair seemingly covering their eyes. Somehow they seem to navigate exceedingly well.


Sandy

[Blue Jays]

Cool picture. Is that gravel roadway part of a training loop?

[PBWrench]

Blue Jay - Not a training loop, but rather a path through some rocky pasture land after gnarly single track. I was riding with a buddy of mine (who took the photo) and a guide through forest trails, rocky descents and even some private property. He got us lost a couple of times, and once we had to climb down a terraced mountainside for about 100 yards, handing off our bikes to each other as one person reached the next level. It was pretty unexpected, pretty painful, and totally unforgettable. And then the sheep . . .

[Big Daddy]

(putting on my velcro gloves)

[Blue Jays]

Wow, that's wild. Even more interesting that challenging singletrack is right there within sight of the city limits. Very, very cool.

[Sandy]

Blue Jay - Not a training loop, but rather a path through some rocky pasture land after gnarly single track. I was riding with a buddy of mine (who took the photo) and a guide through forest trails, rocky descents and even some private property. He got us lost a couple of times, and once we had to climb down a terraced mountainside for about 100 yards, handing off our bikes to each other as one person reached the next level. It was pretty unexpected, pretty painful, and totally unforgettable. And then the sheep . . .

Please don't tell us about the sheep! :)

Did you encounter any military personnel interested in what you were carrying or doing on your bike?


Sandy

[PBWrench]

Sandy -- Our guide, Chaim, is a major in the naval reserves. For added comfort, I also served in the IDF. But only as a private. And rarely with sheep.

[fixednwinter]

Super cool shot - don't see that everyday :)