Wheels of Love 2018

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. The decision is entirely yours and we stand ready to help get you on the road whether you ship or rent your bike.

We will provide a variety of options to get you to the start of Wheels of Love.

We will post exact times and pick-up spots a few weeks before the ride. You can reserve your place on a bus at check-in.

Kashrut policy All food provided on the Wheels of Love (WOL) Bike 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 WOL staff upon request. This includes fruit and nuts served at rest stops.

Soups served at lunch are prepared in a kitchen with kashrut certification. They are cooked, heated and served from pots belonging to the kitchen involved. Dishes and spoons are disposable. Sandwiches are packaged individually. Each has individual kashrut certification.

Glatt kosher food for the five-day ride is available for an extra cost.

For specific questions regarding kashrut please contact the WOL staff.

Volunteers must be fully prepared to start the day by 6:45. While on the “road”, we will provide you with various snacks, water and lunch as the day progresses. Generally, the riders reach their destination by 4:30 pm. Some volunteers will be helping at the hotels with various jobs, as described below.  After supper, there is usually a program/ lecture/ party depending on the day. After some socializing, most people retire for the night between 9-11 pm. All volunteers will have the opportunity to work at each of the positions described below and therefore, you must be able and willing to provide all the services  required. This will grant you a broad overview of the ride, an ability to deal skillfully with most situations that arise during the ride, and an opportunity to contribute to the success of this unique project.

Directing bike traffic

The most common volunteer assignment is directing riders along the route. This is done in order to prevent riders from straying from the route, e.g., at critical turns or forks in the road; to warn them of potentially hazardous road conditions, e.g., sharp turns, steep descents or ascents, traffic changes or congestion, etc. At such times, you will have an opportunity to cheer on riders, help those who are too tired to continue or too far behind the others to stay on the road, or to summon assistance in the event of a disabled bike or an injured rider. Thus, it is extremely important that you project enthusiasm and helpfulness.  You must also have the ability to remain alert and to stay on your feet for two hours or more (there may be brief spells during which you can sit down by the roadside). You should be wearing proper protective clothing and sun block, as you will either be in the sun or in the rain during these periods. At times, you may have to move relatively fast in order to be driven to your next post and take up your new position  prior to the riders’ arrival.

Pit stops

Pit stops are rest and refreshment stops that are provided between the morning start of the ride and lunch, and again between lunch and the end of the day’s ride. During the pit stops, you will be setting up the tables (with the help of our logistics workers) and providing food and drink to the riders. This will include carrying 6-packs of  1.5 or 2 liter bottles, generally for short distances, and answering many questions, such as current location, times and distances already covered, and time and distance until the next break. Aside from the active work, the pit stops afford wonderful opportunities to interact with the riders and fellow staff. These stops, and/or lunch, may place you at each site for 3-4 hours. Again, you will be on your feet a great deal, in the sun or the rain, but you will most probably find chances to sit down for short periods of time.

Riding the sweep bus

A full-size bus is the last vehicle traveling along each route. It is intended to pick up tired riders and staff members (including volunteers) that need to be transported along the way. A volunteer is assigned to this bus in order to assist the riders, keep track of who is off the riding route and who has returned to the route and be aware of where the bikes and other belongings are.  This assignment requires one to respond to the needs and questions of riders and personnel on board the bus.

Hotel assignments

Volunteer assignments will be assigned for either an entire day or a portion thereof, to work together with the logistics company responsible for overnight lodging. This includes checking rooms for any items that may have been left behind, assuring that luggage is placed in the correct place, helping with the distribution of room assignments and keys, placing signs and information posters throughout the hotel, being able to greet incoming riders (and sendoffs in the morning), manning the lost-and-found stations, showing riders where to leave their bikes and assisting them to sign up for assistance from the mechanics.

To participate in the Wheels of Love event, you must read and agree to the following terms and conditions and should understand the cancellation policy.

The following terms and conditions apply to your participation in the 2018 ALYN Wheels of Love Bike Ride (the “Ride”):

Age:  Minimum age of entry is 18 unless accompanied on the Ride by a parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 15. Any rider under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. In order to complete a minor’s registration we must have a signed waiver form.

Helmets: Must be worn for safety reasons at all times on the Ride.

Earphones: Using earphones while riding is dangerous and NOT allowed.

Jerseys: WOL 2018 cycling jerseys and vest will be provided. On the first and last day of the ride, a WOL 2017 jersey or vest must be worn for recognition and safety reasons. On days 2, 3, and 4, it is mandatory to wear either the 2017 jersey or vest, or any ALYN WOL jersey or vest from prior years

Accommodations:  Rooms will be shared and the number of persons per room will vary subject to location. We will try to put you with riders of your choice, but cannot promise this will be the case.

Itineraries:  All itineraries are subject to change.

As a condition to participating in the Ride, please confirm the following by clicking on the check box on the registration page on our website:

1.       I understand that cycling is a strenuous activity and that I must therefore be fit and enjoy sufficient good health to participate. I understand that as a participant in the Ride I will ride for as much as approximately 120 km (75 miles) a day (less, if I don’t select the most challenging route), possibly in hot or rainy weather.  To the best of my knowledge, my general state of health and fitness is good, and I take full responsibility for my participation in the Ride.  I am physically capable of completing the Ride.  If I am aware of or under treatment for any physical infirmity, ailment or illness, or any medical condition which could be adversely affected by exercise, particularly a heart condition, or if I have any doubt about my health: (a) my medical care provider knows of and has approved of my participation in this event; and (b) I have notified the ride organizers of my condition and concern.

2.       I understand that while participating in this event, I will be using public streets and facilities where many hazards exist, and I am aware of and appreciate the risks that may result. I am also aware that accidents may occur during this event which may result in serious injury or death. I am voluntarily participating in this event with knowledge of the dangers involved and I agree to accept all risks of injury or death.

3.       I acknowledge that you have advised me to arrange for my own insurance to cover all costs that may arise from: (i) damage to my health, (ii) damage or loss of property, equipment and other belongings, (iii) requirements for emergency medical transport or travel, (iv) short and long term medical and rehabilitation expenses, and (v) in the case of accident or injury, loss of earnings and home care.

4.       In consideration of being allowed to participate in this event, I agree to assume all risks and to release and hold harmless the Ride and any of its designated organizers, volunteers, sponsors, officials, organizations, friends, any medical team members, ALYN Hospital and its affiliates, employees or agents and any other person or entity involved with the Ride who through negligence, carelessness or any other cause might be liable to me, and agree that none of the foregoing will be held responsible for any accident, injury, death or loss or damage to property, regardless of how it arises.  I agree to examine and use the bicycle and, where appropriate, any other equipment supplied, at my own risk, and that I shall be in all respects responsible for my own safety and for all personal property I bring with me.  At all times while participating in the Ride, I will wear a helmet as well as any other cycling jerseys or vest or other gear designated by the Ride organizers.

5.       The fundraising minimums for Wheels of Love 2017 are $3,000 for off-road and Enduro riders, $3500 for on-road riders and $4000 for Challenge riders.  I understand that I am required to raise the minimum sponsorship prior to February 15th, 2019.  If I have not raised the minimum amount by the date that I check in for the Ride, ALYN will require a credit card number as security for the outstanding balance.  If by February 15, 2018, I have been unsuccessful in raising the minimum required sponsorships, ALYN will be entitled to charge my credit card for the difference between the actual amount that I have raised and my minimum fundraising obligation.  Under no circumstances will ALYN charge my credit card without first informing me of their intent to do so within 48 hours. If I am not able to participate in the Ride for any reason, all donations received by me will nevertheless be sent to ALYN Hospital and will be allocated to the total sponsorship of the event.  I have read and understand the cancellation policy

6.       I will read the Ride description and rules for participation and I agree to follow the instructions of the Ride organizers.

7.       I understand that my name, photograph, voice or likeness may be used by ALYN Hospital or the Ride organizers.  I consent to and authorize such use and waive any rights of privacy I may have in connection therewith.  I understand that I will not benefit financially from any such use. I understand and agree that personal information I provide may be transferred outside the State of Israel. I agree to receive communications and promotional messages relating to ALYN or the Ride.

8.       If I am a parent or guardian of a minor under the age of 18 participating in the Ride, I agree to and accept the above on my own behalf as well as on the behalf of the minor in my care, and I agree to accompany the minor in my care at all times during the Ride.

I have carefully read the terms and conditions set forth above and understand and agree to their contents.  By checking the box on our website, I agree to abide by the terms and conditions described above and the reasonable instructions of the Ride organizers.  I understand that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and the persons and entities mentioned above.

From the moment you register for the Ride, and in particular the closer we get to the Ride itself, ALYN starts incurring expenses, much of which is non recoverable in the event that you cancel.  The total cost to ALYN per rider is in excess of $2,000. For that reason, in order to maximize the benefit for the children of ALYN, we have instituted the following cancellation policy.

Registration Fee

Registration Fee is non-refundable. If a rider registers, and is not able to ride, then his or her registration fee will be used to defray the general expenses of the ride. If the rider requests, ALYN will hold over the registration fee for the next year’s ride.  If the cost of registration rises for the next year’s ride, the rider will be asked to pay the difference between the registration fee that heshe paid for the previous year’s ride and the actual registration fee for the next year’s ride. Under no circumstances, will a registration fee be held over beyond one year for another ride.

Minimum Fund Raising Goal

The primary objective of Wheels of Love is to raise funds for ALYN while providing our riders with an extraordinary ride experience. Accordingly, once a rider registers for WOL, the rider becomes a committed rider and is fully responsible for raising the fundraising minimum, whether or not the rider ultimately participates in the event. Failure to raise the minimum amount will affect the rider’s ability to participate in future rides and ALYNactive events.

Exceptional Cases

If you cancel on or prior to September 25th, 2018, all donations that you have raised will remain with ALYN, and cannot be credited to another year or to another rider participating in the ride. However, in the event that the amount you have raised is less than your fundraising minimum, you will not be required to meet the minimum fundraising goal.

If you cancel after September 26th, 2018, we will already have incurred expenses beyond the amount of your registration fee.  In such a case, your minimum fundraising obligation will be reduced to 60% of your total fundraising obligation, based upon your route selection when you registered (which, together with your registration fee, will be used to cover ride expenses that are not reimbursable at this late date).

You must accept all of the above conditions to complete registration.

5 Things to  Make Your ALYN Ride Much More Fun by Yarden Frankl

How Cycling Makes You Smarter and Happier by Selene Yeager 

Safety by Yitzhak Ian Fierstein

It’s a hill. Get over it.  by Zvi Volk