Southern Israel is one of the most spectacular cycling destinations in the world. Cyclists come from all over to experience the incredible trails and roads that cross the mountains, valleys, and dry rivers of the Israeli deserts.
Breathtaking desert vistas, soaring mountains, and dazzling sunshine await Wheels of Love riders. Whether you ride one of the four road routes, the trail or enduro off-road routes, or the beautiful hiking routes, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Distance: 357 km/ 221 miles
Elevation: 3,960 meters/ 13,000 feet
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Distance: 444 km/ 276 miles
Elevation: 4,986 meters/ 16,358 feet
Scroll down for daily details and maps
Distance: 603 km/ 375 miles
Elevation: 6,124 meters/ 20,091 feet
Scroll down for daily details and maps
Distance: 309 km/ 192 miles
Elevation: 5,008 meters/ 16,430 feet
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Distance: 201 km/ 125 miles
Elevation: 3,546 meters/ 11,633 feet
Scroll down for daily details and maps
Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Routes are subject to change at any time.
Road Plus Daily Avg: 89 km – Climbing: 998 meters – Pace 25 km/hour.
Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Routes are subject to change at any time.
Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All routes are subject to change at any time.
Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All routes are subject to change at any time.
Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All routes are subject to change at any time.
Details Coming Soon
This year’s hiking routes will showcase the beauty of Southern Israel by Sde Boker and the Ramon Crater. The hikes will be around 8-12 km (5-8 miles).
Participants should bring good hiking shoes, a hat, sun glasses, and a small backpack to carry food and water. Hikes will take around 6 hours/day.
The hiking group will be staying in the same hotel as the Road group.
We start off on a hike that passes through the ancient cities of Itri and Burgin. The ruins are fascinating and filled with tunnels, secret rooms, and rock walls. Our guides can fill in the historical perspective that made these two areas so important in the day of the Second Temple.
From Hiking the Holyland:
What makes hiking through these places so spectacular is that most of them aren’t just dry, historical sites. They can also be places of great natural beauty. Which turns stumbling upon these ancient ruins into an incredible experience. Read more…
8 km (5 miles). Mostly flat.
Chalk white canyons, reflective pools — Ein Avdat is one of the most visually spectacular hikes in all of Israel.
The canyon is also home to Israel’s Griffon Vultures. If we are lucky, we will see many of these amazing creatures.
Our hike takes us along the canyon walls, with a great deal of climbing aided by metal rungs installed into the rock walls by Israel’s Nature Society.
We will hike around 8 km (6 hours). We will carry lots of water since it can get hot in the desert.
Read about the hike on Hiking the Holyland
The Maktesh Ramon – Ramon Crater – is a geological phenomenon unique to Israel. The deep impression is filled with multi-colored sand and rock that is unlike anything in the world. We will start with the Horseshoe trail which shows the best of the crater.
The hike will be about 8 km (5.5 miles).
Read about the hike on Hiking in the Holyland.
At 12km, this hike is a bit longer than the rest. It also has a great deal of climbing. But the stunning views and amazing geology of the ware are well worth it.
Read about the hike on Hiking in the Holyland.
We start at the top of a ridge that overlooks the beautiful Dolev valley. As we start hiking down the ridge, the foliage is lush and the views spectacular. There are many places where we will help each other scramble over the boulder piles that can be found throughout the trail.
There are two fun attractions near the bottom of the trail. One is a natural rock slide where the surface is so smooth, you can slide down on an old piece of cardboard or plastic bottle. Since so many people come to slide here, there are always examples available.
The real attraction is the bat cave. Steps lead down into this completely dark and cool cave. You can guess how it got its name and observe thousands of bats hanging from the ceiling. Thankfully, they will be sleeping at the time of our visit.
Read more from Hiking in the Holyland. (Note, the article describes a short hike to the rock slide and bat cave. We will be taking a much longer route.)
After the hike, our bus will take us to ALYN for the closing ceremony.
The 2021 GalgALYN ride will take place on the last day of Wheels of Love, Thursday, October 28.*
Riders can choose to ride either the Road or Trail routes. (See “Routes,” Day #5)
All routes will begin from Mini-Israel.
Transportation for riders and bikes will be provided from Jerusalem back to the starting point after the ride ends.
The registration fee for GalgALYN is 320 NIS ($100) and we ask that every one-day rider raise a minimum of 750 NIS.
$5,000: Winter Gloves
$8,000: Winter Socks
$12,000 Wheels of Love Duffle Bag
$18,000: Wheels of Love Rain Jacket
$25,000: Free Registration 2022 Wheels of Love Ride
All Road Routes:
Leonardo Negev Beer Sheva
The Leonardo Hotel Negev provides comfortable and elegant guest rooms in the heart of Beer-Sheva city center, next to the central bus station and a large shopping mall.
The wellness area features a sauna and hot tub as well as a fitness room and massage service. All rooms offer air conditioning, an LCD TV with cable channels, and soft carpeted floors. Wi-Fi is free in the coffee shop.
Trail and Enduro
Isrotel Ramon Inn
The Isrotel Ramon Inn is a quiet desert retreat. This warm, quaint and intimate haven is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ramon Crater.
This hotel has been a favorite of the trail route for many years.
Road
Inbar Arad
The Inbar Hotel is located at the entrance to Arad atop the surrounding desert mountains.
On Tuesday night, the Road group will enjoy the intimacy of the smaller hotel, where riders can relax in the fitness spa or around the heated indoor pool.
Road Plus, Challenge
The Road Plus and Challenge routes will spend Tuesday night in the intimate setting of the Ramon Smart Hotel, on edge of the Ramon Crater. Early risers can watch the spectacular sunrise from the nearby cliff.
Trail and Enduro
The Trail and Enduro routes will spend Tuesday night at the Arad Hostel which has a perfect lawn for the famous off-road “Happy Hour.”
All Routes
Neve Ilan C Hotel
All Wheels of Love participants will spend the final night of the ride in Neve Ilan.
Mornings
Mornings start with breakfast at the hotels, usually between 6:30 and 7:30. (You can check the signs in the lobby for exact times). We try to get all the groups on the road between 8 and 8:30. Mechanics are available for any last minute adjustments or repairs. (If your bike needs a repair, see the mechanic in the evening before dinner.) For those who want to pray with a minyan, each hotel has a synagogue where we will host davening before breakfast. (Usually around 6:00 AM).
During the Ride
Every route has ride leaders and vehicles with staff, mechanics, paramedics, and a bus for those who feel they cannot continue the day’s route. The Road routes will also have a police escort. Due to police rules, no rider can ride ahead of the ride leaders or behind the follow-vehicles. While the routes will spread out at times, the police may require us to take short breaks to regroup. Three times every day we will have pit stops where riders can take a break, refuel, and use a bathroom. We also have plenty of short water breaks if you need to fill your bottles.
Evenings
All routes will reach the hotels by 4:00 PM. Riders put their bikes into the racks, step into the hotel, and can grab a cold beer (or a variety of beverages) and salads. Afterwards, riders can relax in their rooms until dinner, usually around 6:30 PM. Staff will be available throughout the hotel to answer any questions. After dinner, we will have short briefings for those who are interested in learning about the next day’s route.
The Finish
We are still planning the finish and closing ceremony. After finishing all riders are presented with a special commemorative medallion recognizing the accomplishment of completing Wheels of Love for the children treated at ALYN.
Days could be hot and sunny or cold and rainy. Take gear that you can ride in no matter what the weather.
For Hikers:
Wheels of Love encourages the formation of riding and fundraising teams. Team fundraising can be a useful and effective tool to maximize fundraising efforts: Teams create a healthy sense of camaraderie among team members as well as good-natured competition with other teams.
If you decide to form a team, we will set up a team fundraising page, which will be in addition to each rider’s personal fundraising page. Riders can choose to send either page to their donors. When a donor makes a team gift, the donation is split evenly among all team members then registered to the team.
Each team member must still satisfy the individual fundraising minimum. Individual fundraising might be required if the team fundraising is not sufficient to meet the minimum, once team gifts are divided among all riders. (The only case where this does not apply is when the team is made up of immediate family members, in which case we do not require the minimum fund raising amount from each team member.)
To form a team or for questions about teams, please email us.
While we highly recommend that you bring your own bike on Wheels of Love, we understand that some prefer to rent a bike for the duration of the ride.
If you rent a bike, you are responsible for returning the bike and for negotiating payment, insurance and repair issues directly from the provider.
To rent a bike, get in touch with one of our suppliers below.
Amir Rockman, rent@bikejerusalem.com, Mobile phone: 054-426-2187
Erez & Tamar Levin, info.rentabike@gmail.com, Mobile phone: (972) 054-314-8409
The minimum fundraising requirements depend on which route you choose.
For the 2021 Wheels of Love ride, the amounts are:
Trail & Enduro: $3,000
On Road & Touring: $3,500
Challenge: $4,000
Single day ride, both on road and off: 750 shekels ($200)
Self-funding: Our hope is that your fundraising efforts will raise visibility for the hospital and introduce your donors to the amazing work that happens at ALYN. Many who will give to ALYN for the first time through your fundraising efforts will become repeat donors to the hospital. It is a long-term plan of support. If you are choosing to self-fund your ride, the suggested donation level is $4,000.
The goal of Wheels of Love, in addition to producing a world-class riding experience for our riders, is to raise as much money as possible for the children of ALYN Hospital.
Participation in Wheels of Love involves making a binding commitment to raise the minimum amount of funds required by the Ride Organizing Committee. All riders who have not met their obligations at check-in must give credit card details before taking part in Wheels of Love.
Any rider who has not raised the required amount by December 31, 2021 will be charged the shortfall. The credit card will not be charged prior to December 31, 2021, two months after the ride, so there is plenty of time to continue additional fundraising in order make up the deficit. We strongly encourage you to satisfy (and hopefully far exceed) your fundraising obligation prior to the ride.
On each of the four nights of Wheels of Love (Sunday through Wednesday night), riders stay in three or four-star hotels.
Accommodations are clean, comfortable and convenient. We eat breakfast and dinner in the hotels. During the day, there are numerous rest-stops which will have a variety of food such as fresh fruit, energy bars, and snacks. Each day, there will also be an extended pit stop for lunch.
At the end of the riding day, you can relax with a cold beer and some protein and carbs. All food is certified kosher (see below.) Riders can also reserve vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free food. Every rider receives a deluxe ALYN riding jersey.
During the ride, we provide complete support. That means that we have mechanics, medics and a sweep bus to pick up riders who are having a hard time keeping up or just need a break. We also have escort vehicles and staff ready to help if any need arises. All routes have lead and trailing vehicles. We will transport your luggage between hotels.
You can also pack a small day bag that will accompany the Road and Touring routes and which will be brought to each rest-stop. Every night the mechanics will be available at the hotel to make any repairs needed. Should you need a part (i.e. a tire or derailleurs), most things are available for purchase. Please check our packing list.
Rider safety is our top priority.
We work very closely with the Israeli police and military in planning our routes. We are also in constant contact with governmental authorities in the event of a security issue.
In the event of an accident, we have experienced medics accompanying each route who can provide immediate medical assistance. While we make every attempt to keep you safe, riders are also largely responsible for the safety of the ride. Please read over our Rider Safety page so that you can do your part in keeping the ride safe for all our riders.
On the ride itself, you don’t need to bring substantial spending money.
We provide everything you need over these five days, including hotels, meals and all logistics. You may want to bring a little extra for souvenirs, but once you step on the bus on Saturday night or Sunday morning, you can leave your wallet at home.
The Road routes are often hilly and include multiple climbs that can be both steep and long, but the ride moves at a comfortable pace.
Our largest group is the Road route and it includes cyclists of varying levels. Competitive riders who are interested in riding hard and fast will love our Challenge group. Those who want a challenge but at a less-intense pace can join the Road Plus route. Riders who prefer a relaxed pace and don’t want to spend more than half the day in the saddle can join our Touring group which rides in the morning and spends the afternoon enjoying unique tours.
Most of the Trail riding is done along rugged jeep and hiking trails that can be muddy and dusty. Don’t expect to be clean at the end of the day! Some parts of the trail are technical and require advanced riding skills. There is always the option of getting off your bike, walking through the technical part and then getting back on once the trail levels out again.
We have Trail riders of all different abilities. Stronger riders can opt to ride on the more advanced Enduro sections, which are extensions of the regular trail routes.
All routes have a sweeper vehicle should you need or want to take a break from cycling at any point. Each route (other than Touring), will ride every day from approximately 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM. While every route has pit-stops and lunch breaks, you should be able to ride for 6-7 hours each day. We encourage you to train regularly in the months leading up to the ride. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy this incredible experience.
Kashrut policy All food provided on the ride is kosher and has valid kashrut certification. This includes fruit, all of which is purchased from suppliers who certify that their products adhere to kashrut requirements for מצוות התלויות בארץ (mitzvot teluyot b’aretz).
During the ride, kashrut certificates for items that are not prepared under the supervision of the kitchen are available from the staff upon request. This includes fruit and nuts served at rest stops. Dishes and spoons are disposable. Glatt kosher food for the five-day ride is available. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can best accommodate you.
Minyanim Daily minyanim are held at the hotels and at lunch stops. The hotels have synagogues on premises.
What our short video of the basics of raising money for ALYN Hospital through Wheels of Love
New to fundraising? Looking for a few tips to help you collect sponsorships? A few Wheels of Love veteran riders explain how they have raised way beyond the minimum for ALYN.
Click here or on picture to hear Barry & Jill’s tips
Home: Efrat, Israel
Years Riding Wheels of Love: 9
Lifetime Fundraising: $42,212
Click here or on picture to hear Jay’s tips
Home: Alon Shevut, Israel
Years Riding Wheels of Love: 11
Lifetime Fundraising: $32,827
Click here or on picture to hear Rocky’s tips
Home: Chicago, IL USA
Years Riding Wheels of Love: 21
Lifetime Fundraising: $139,370
Click here or on picture to hear Robert’s tips
Home: Plainview, NY USA
Years Riding Wheels of Love: 13
Lifetime Fundraising: $274,338
Click here or on picture to hear Steven’s tips
Wondering what the money you raise by participating in Wheels of Love is used for? Below are a few stories of remarkable children whose progress depended on the work of ALYN Hospital, which in turn depends on Wheels of Love to make these treatments possible.
Tell these stories to your friends and family and ask them to make a donation to help children like the ones described below
Yuval first began experiencing intense pain in her leg and then her muscles locked up. When various doctors were unable to develop a diagnosis, Yuval was referred to ALYN Hospital for rehabilitation therapy.
After a year of extensive occupational and physical therapy, Yuval is making great progress and is hopeful about returning to her active, 11-year-old life.
When Elchanan was born prematurely five years ago, he had lung disease and was unable to breath on his own.
Today, with thanks to the therapists and medical staff in ALYN Hospital’s Respiratory Rehabilitation Department, Elchanan has been weaned off the respirator and is thriving in a community kindergarten.
Exactly one year after barely surviving a tragic car accident, Etai Rimel celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, a feat his doctors might not have expected him to accomplish.
We know that for many of you, the thought of asking friends for money to fundraise for the ride is uncomfortable and might be uncharted territory. Don’t worry – fundraising is much easier and more rewarding than you might expect, especially when you are raising money for such an incredible cause.
ALYN Hospital is such a unique and special place, that once you share with others about the hospital and the children receiving rehabilitation there, people will be willing to support you. How do we know? We have nearly 20 years of experience and thousands of riders who have successfully raised money for ALYN as proof.
Remember, the people who will sponsor you will do so because of your relationship with them. They are YOUR friends and YOUR family! They trust what you have to say. The more personal you can make the request, the better.
Start by personalizing your fundraising page. You can login to your page and personalize the text and upload a special picture of yourself.
Once you have your page set up the way you like it, send the link with an email to your contacts. You can post it on Facebook or other social media. Again, the more personal you can make the request, the more likely you are to receive a favorable response.
Remember the four basic rules:
Thank you letters.
Make sure to send a short, personal thank you to each sponsor. Your sponsors will also receive an official thank you and receipt from ALYN, but they will appreciate the personal outreach and the sincere gratitude.
OTHER FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Corporate sponsorships. Wheels of Love offers public relations opportunities in exchange for corporate sponsorships. There are a number of underwriting opportunities. Please contact the office with questions.
Fundraising events. Fundraising doesn’t only have to include sending emails and letters. A number of our riders have come up with creative ways to engage their friends, family members and community to help raise funds for their ride. Things that have been done in the past:
If there is an event you would like to hold, the office would be happy to help in any way we can, including sending ALYN swag. We are here to support you in your fundraising.
Please contact us at any time for ideas or to edit your fundraising page online. Good luck with this important task and we can’t wait to see you!
If you use the letters below, make sure to personalize it with your name and the link to your fundraising page.
To send these letters automatically, just go to your funraising page, log in, and select the sponsors you wish to send the letter to.
Dear
This October I will be participating in the Wheels of Love Israel charity bike ride, to benefit ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel’s premier rehabilitation facility for children with disabilities.
Every year, over 3,000 children come to ALYN to receive best-in-class care. Money raised through Wheels of Love is critical to ensuring that ALYN can continue to do amazing work – turning disabilities into abilities! You can learn more about ALYN at www.alyn.org.
This year’s fundraising goal for Wheels of Love is to raise $3 million, to bridge the shortfall gap between reimbursements and the actual costs of the high-level services provided to the children. My personal fundraising goal is $XXXX. The financial toll of the global pandemic means that we need your support now more than ever. Thank you, in advance, for being as generous as you can be.
There are two easy ways to donate:
United States
American Friends of ALYN Hospital
122 E. 42nd Street, Suite 1519, New York, NY 10168.
The American Friends of ALYN is a qualifying 501(c)(3) organization, and your contribution is tax deductible in the US. If you work for a company with a matching gifts program, you may be able to multiply the effect of your gift.
Canada
Canadian Friends of ALYN Hospital
11 Townsgate Drive
Suite 103
Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 8G4
Donations to Canadian Friends of ALYN Hospital are tax-deductible in Canada.
Israel
ALYN Hospital
84 Shmaryahu Levin Street
Kiryat Yovel, P.O.B. 9117
Jerusalem, 91090
Friends of ALYN Hospital has a contribution certificate from the tax authorities according to section #46 of the Income Tax regulation. Donations are tax deductible under Israeli law.
If you live elsewhere, please email the office for options to donate in other currencies.
Riding for 5 days straight requires training. The more you can train, the more fun you will have on Wheels of Love.
We have collected a few videos from the Global Cycling Network and other professional groups that give you training tips so you will be in great shape when you cross the starting line this Fall.
Whichever route you choose, every day on Wheels of Love will most likely be longer than you usually ride. Here are a few tips to increase your endurance when you do not have a lot of time to train.
Climbs can make or break the ride. Whether in the North or the South, Israel’s hills are challenging for any cyclist. Here are a few tips to get you ready to tackle the climbs.
Wheels of Love lasts for five days. Few of us can ride every day. Here are a few ways to prepare for a ride of five back to back days.
We’ve all done some of these. Good idea to review a few of the most common mistakes that cyclists make that can turn a great training ride into misery.
A few skills that you can practice almost anywhere will get you ready for the Wheels of Love Off-Road Routes. (From Skills with Phill)
For Enduro riders, here are a few tips to tackle the most technical sections of our courses. (From GMBN)
Corporate Sponsors’ logos are prominently featured on the Wheels of Love jersey according to the above designations.
Sponsors’ logos are also featured throughout the ride and in media coverage of the event. Most importantly, the corporate sponsors’ brands are recognized as supporting Israel’s premier rehabilitation facility for children with physical disabilities.
Download our corporate brochure here.
If you are on Strava, go to “Explore-Clubs” and request to join the club for your route. If you are not yet on Strava, go to Strava.com and open a free account. When you upload your rides, they will appear here. (You will need a GPS device to record your activity.)
