Wheels of Love 2019

20 years riding for the children of ALYN

141 RIDERS

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DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECS

November 10, 2019

$134,575

Money Raised*

4% raised of $3,000,000

Routes

Details

Donating

2018 Gallery

The 20th anniversary ride: November 10-14, 2019.

For 20 years, riders from around the world have been coming to Israel to participate in ALYN’s Wheels of Love. In 2000, 9 riders raised $60,000 to help the children of ALYN. Last year, 554 riders raised $3,756,000 while spending a week riding the best routes — both road and trail — in Israel. It has become one of the top charity bike rides in the world, and we invite you to come on a special ride for a special cause.

ALYN is the only place in Israel that specializes in treating children who have been severely injured in accidents or acts of terror, suffer from degenerative disease, or were born with significant physical challenges. The remarkable team of dedicated doctors and therapists at ALYN work tirelessly with these children. Our goal is to return them to their families, empowered to live as independently as possible.

Won’t you play a role in these miracles?

The Routes

Choose from 7 routes:

Road: Average 70 km/day and 1,000 meters climbing. 15-18 kph avg.
Road Plus: Average 90 km/day with 1,500 meters climbing 20-24 kph avg
Challenge: Average 120 km/day with 2,000 meters climbing. 28-32 kph avg.
Touring: Average 30 km/day plus half day touring Israeli sites. 15-18 kph avg.
Trail: Average 40 km/day off-road terrain, moderate technical routes
Enduro: Average 60 km/day off-road terrain, challenging technical aspects.
Hiking: 3-4 hour hikes near riding routes

Please be aware that all maps are subject to change.

Main Trail Group Daily Avg: 40km (25 miles) — Technical Level: Moderate with some single tracks. Bikes can be walked around obstacles.

Stronger riders who reach specified time-check points have the option to ride Enduro segments of 10-15 km extra riding with more technical terrain.

GPX Files

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

We are currently planning the routes. We will soon have more details. Check back soon!

Road Group Daily Avg: 70km (45 miles) — Climbing: 1,000m (3,280 ft) — Pace 14kph (9 mph) — Pit stops: 3

GPX Files

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

The main road group departs from our starting area at Biriya Forest and will finish at the Hacienda Hotel, where riders will stay through Thursday. Sunday’s route is an impressive tour crossing the Upper Galilee, with views of Tsfat and Mount Meron, one of the highest peaks in Israel. The route encircles the mountains but does not ascend them. While there are some gentle climbs, most of the day’s ride is either gradual descent or flat roads helping riders get accustomed to the week of riding that awaits.

70 km +1,047 m/-1,198 m — 43 mi +3,435 ft/-3,930 ft

Today will feature a tough but spectacular climb right up to Israel’s Northern border with Lebanon. While there is almost 1,500 meters of climbing, the total distance is only 65 kilometers. The ride begins along a special “scenic route” built by the Israel National Fund with beautiful view of the Galilee.

65 km +1,047 m/-1,198 m — 40 mi +4,809 ft/-4,809 ft

On Tuesday, the route is a bit easier as the route spends most of the day along the picturesque Mediterranean coast in Israel’s Northwest corner. From Rosh Hanikra the views are spectacular. We ride along the coast and the only significant climb today is when we return to our hotel at Ma’alot.

84 km +1,100 m/-1,100 m — 52 mi +3,608 ft/-3,608 ft

After four days in the Galilee, the Road groups travels south. The route winds along green hills and through lush valleys as riders travel from the Upper to the Lower Galilee and then on to the Mount Carmel National Park. When the ride finishes for the day, riders will board coach buses that will take us to Jerusalem’s Yearim Hotel. Wednesday night all riders will come together for our awards dinner.

73 km +936 m/-1,476 m — 45 mi +3,070 ft/-4,842 ft

Details coming soon!

Road PLUS Group Daily Average: 90km (56 miles) — Climbing: 1,200m (4,000 ft)

GPX Files

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Road Plus starts with a beautiful and challenging tour of the Galilee. After leaving Biriya Forest, the route heads up through the mountains of Tsfat and Rosh Pina. Riders descend to the Kinneret for a short ride along the coast and then takes on the climb from the Old Testament village of Capernaum up into the heights of the Upper Galilee, finishing at the Hacienda Hotel in Ma’alot, where all road riders will be based for four days.

88 km +1,640 m/-1765 m — 54 mi +5,380 ft/-5,790 ft

Today will feature two tough but spectacular climbs. The first ascends the switchback road that leads to Israel’s Northern border with Lebanon. The second will be up to the top of Mount Meron, one of the highest peaks in Israel. Altogether, the day includes nearly 2,000 meters (6,561 ft) of climbing. The ride begins along a special “scenic route” built by the Israel National Fund with beautiful view of the Galilee.

85 km +1,959 m/-1,959 m — 53 mi +6,427 ft/-6,427 ft

After two days with a great deal of climbing, Day #3 is a long but gentle route that includes a ride along the Mediterranean Coast to the sea-cliffs and grotto of Rosh Hanikra.

93 km +1,133 m/-1,133 m — 58 mi +3,717 ft/-3,717 ft

We leave the Galilee on Wednesday and head for the beautiful Mount Carmel National Park. At Zichron Yaakov we will board buses to take us to the outskirts of Jerusalem for the awards evening and the final day of riding.

92 km +1,118 m/-1,535 m — 53 mi +3,667 ft/-5,036 ft

Challenge Group Daily Average: 110km (68 miles) — Climbing: 2,000m (6,561 ft)

GPX Files

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

The Challenge route will kick off the 20th anniversary ride in Biriya Forest. For the first 30 kilometers, the route winds down to the Kinneret and then turns down the coast. At the Old Testament village of Capernaum, the climb begins. After a challenging climb, the route heads West and traverses the Galilee. The ride finishes in Ma’alot at the Hacienda hotel, where all road riders will stay for four days.

Today is a challenging day of climbing across the Galilee. From the switchback road that ascends to Israel’s Northern border with Lebanon to the mountain city of Tsfat, the day includes over 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) of climbing. The ride begins along a special “scenic route” built by the Israel National Fund with beautiful view of the Galilee.

Tuesday will be a bit more relaxed with less climbing as we spend much of the day riding along the coast, from Haifa to Rosh Hanikra.

Today is the day Challenge riders have been waiting for. Just as we did two years ago, we will climb the Hermon and complete a full 100 mile century ride. The ride heads off to the East across the Galilee and then heading North through the Golan Heights all the way until we reach the summit of the Hermon. Because of the length of the route today, we will have to enforce strict cut-off times so that we can ride back down to the Kinneret and board the buses that will take us back to Jerusalem to join the other riders at the awards evening.

161 km +2,767 m/-3,523 m — 100 mi +9,080 ft/-11,558 ft

Touring Group Daily Average: 35km (21 miles) — Climbing: 300m (1,000 ft)

GPX Files

Sunday Monday

Important Details

Challenge, Road, Road Plus, Touring

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Nights

The Hacienda Forest View

The Hecienda is set on 17 acres of natural forest and is designed to resemble a Spanish Estate. Wheels of Love has reserved the entire hotel for our stay. Come meet up and swap stories with riders from all the road groups in this pleasant retreat where we will rest and relax to prepare for the next day’s ride.

Wednesday Night

Yearim (Maale Chahamisha) Hotel

For the final night of the ride, we will return to the Maale Chahamisha Hotel where we stayed in 2018. Conveniently located on the outskirts of Jerusalem, we will begin our final day of the ride here. The hotel will also be the scene of our special evening awards ceremony where we will distribute the fund-raising awards and loyalty jackets.

Trail and Enduro

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Nights

The Yarden Estate Hotel

This lovely boutique hotel will be home to all the trail riders for three nights. Wheels of Love has reserved the entire hotel four our stay. Meet up with fellow riders where you can relax and swap stories of the ride. Of course, the grassy gardens are the perfect place for the legendary off-road “Happy Hour” parties. With many trails starting from the hotel’s location in the Hula valley, it is the perfect place for our group to stay.

Wednesday Night

Neve Illan Hotel

On the final night of the ride, we will return to the Neve Illan Hotel. As riders from 2018 can attest, the newly-renovated hotel is clean, comfortable and the food is sensational.

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.

Shipping Your Bike

You should have your bike packed carefully. Most bike shops provide this service. Packing usually involves removing wheels, pedals, handlebars, and saddle, which are wrapped in foam and packed separately.

When you come to check-in at ALYN, our team of mechanics will unbox your bike and assemble it. (If you prefer, you can do this yourself.) During the ride, all bike boxes are stored at ALYN. After the ride, the mechanics will repack your bike for the flight home.

Most airlines will charge a separate fee for bringing a bike. El Al has a special deal for ALYN Wheels of Love riders. They will waive their usual fee ($150) for the trip to Israel. (The fee will be charged for the return flight.) To take advantage of this deal, riders must be departing from New York, Newark, Boston, LA, or Chicago. You must fly between October 20 and November 25.

Send an email to WheelsofLove@ELALusa.com Hand send a copy to FRIENDS@alynus.org

Include the following information:

Your name as it appears on your passport
The date, time and number of your flight
Your cell phone number

The fee waiver is entered into your flight record and activated when you check-in for your flight. (Note: They do NOT send out confirmations of the fee waiver.)

Renting a Bike

While it is preferable to bring your own bike, you can also rent either a road or a mountain bike from our supplier. We have carefully selected our supplier for providing exceptional service and pricing. If you rent a bike, your are responsible for returning the bike and for negotiating payment, insurance and repair issues directly from the provider.

Wheels of Love will treat your rental bike with the exact same policy as all bikes that are privately owned and brought on the ride by individual riders. In other words, we will handle your rental with great care.

To rent a bike, get in touch with our supplier below. You must come to ALYN during rider check-in the week before the ride. You will pick up your rental bike at ALYN and then go through the same check-in procedures as all riders.

A team of mechanics will be available to make adjustments to your rental bike. You also have the same access to our mechanics during the ride as any other rider. Often riders who rent bikes bring their own pedals and even their own seat. The mechanics will help you install these on the rental bike. Just remember to return the rental pedals and seat to the rental company when you return your bike. Asaf Rockman, rent@bikejerusalem.com, Mobile phone: (972) 052-3201273

Days could be hot and sunny or cold and rainy. Take gear that you can ride in no matter what the weather.

Cycling shorts, Cycling shoes, Cycling gloves, Cycling socks
We are providing a 2018 cycling jersey. New riders will receive an extra jersey. We are also providing a vest to be worn over your own cycling shirts on the days that you do not wear the ALYN cycling jerseys for identification. It is mandatory to wear ALYN 2018 cycling jersey on the first and last day of the ride.
Bicycle helmet – PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME ON IT
Knee and elbow protectors (For off-road, only if you ride with them regularly.)
Spare inner tube, a simple set of tools and derailleur hanger suitable for your bike. Off-Road: spare brake disc pads.
Sunscreen
Vaseline, talcum powder, or other type of chamois cream.
Touring riders: Small bag with comfortable clothes and shoes for touring.
OVERSEAS Participants need to have their passport and insurance information on them at all times
ISRAELIS need their identity card and kupat cholim card
Sunglasses
Lip balm
Insect repellent
Band-Aid and medications
Toilet paper, wet wipes
Casual Clothes for relaxing in the evenings
Money/Credit Card- Take into account that while the mechanics service is free, parts are extra. All meals/hotel rooms are included.
Ear plugs (for those noisy roommates)
Bathing suit
Laundry detergent, Rope to put up clothes line

How much do I need to raise to participate?
What happens if a rider does not meet the minimum fundraising requirements?
How difficult is the ALYN Wheels of Love ride?
What is included on the ride?
Is ALYN’s Wheels of Love safe?
Do I need spending money?
Is the food kosher? Can I pray with a minyan?
What are the Terms & Conditions of the ride? What if I need to cancel?

1. How much do I need to raise to participate?

The minimum fundraising requirements depend on which route you choose.

For the 2019 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)

2. What happens if a rider does not meet the minimum fundraising requirements?

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, 2019 will be charged the shortfall. Please note that the credit card will not be charged prior to December 31, 2019, two months after the ride so there is plenty of time to continue additional fundraising in order make up the deficit. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage you to satisfy (and hopefully far exceed your fundraising obligation ) prior to the ride.

3. What is included on 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, we serve lunch half way through the route, usually soup and sandwiches and an occasional surprise. There are also numerous pit stops where healthy snack food is served. At the end of the riding day, you can relax with a cold beer and some protein and carbs at our après ride party. The food is never ending and don’t expect to lose any weight on the Ride regardless of how much time you spend in the saddle.

You will receive a deluxe CRAFT ALYN riding jersey with registration.

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 want a breather. 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 On Road and Touring routes and which will be deposited for you at the next rest stop.

Every night the mechanics will set up shop at the hotel to make any repairs that riders need. Should you need a part, you can purchase almost anything you need for your bike — from tires to derailleurs. Please check our packing list to find out what to bring. We try and provide just about everything you might need to make Wheels of Love an exceptional experience.

4. Is ALYN's Wheels of Love safe?

Rider safety is our very first 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. Israeli police escorts stop traffic, keep intersections clear and ensure that oncoming traffic stays in the proper lane.

Many of the roads we ride on will be completely closed to traffic while we are riding through. In addition to police escorts, each route has a professional route manager who is responsible for the safety of all riders on the route. 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 and familiarize yourself with the “rules of the road” so you can do your part in keeping the ride safe for all our riders.

5. Do I need spending money?

On the ride itself, you certainly don’t need to bring substantial spending money. We provide everything you need over these five days, including hotels, meals and all logistics. Of course, you may want to bring a little extra for souvenirs or some single malt scotch but as far as we are concerned, once you step on the bus on Saturday night or Sunday morning, you can leave your wallet at home.

6. How difficult is the ALYN Wheels of Love ride?

Wheels of Love is a five day bike ride. Every day, you will ride 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.

The on road routes are often hilly and include multiple climbs that can be both steep and long. However, should you have trouble keeping up, we have an air conditioned bus that accompanies the ride every day that you can easily hop on and take a well-earned breather.

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. If you find it too challenging or too technical, don’t worry – you can just get off your bike, walk through the technical part and then get back on once the trail levels out again.

If you can’t keep up, there is always a sweeper vehicle that you can hop on until you are ready to ride again.

While Wheels of Love is definitely a serious ride, we have designed the routes to appeal to a wide range of cyclists. Strong and competitive riders who are interested in riding hard and fast will love our Challenge group. Those who want to ride at a slightly lower pace can join our new 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 spends the afternoons enjoying unique tours of the biblical landscape. Similarly, we have Trail riders of all different abilities who can choose the regular Trail group or the more advanced Enduro group. Our largest group is the Road route and this group includes cyclists of varying levels.

Regardless of your level, 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. Check out our routes, including the mileage and elevation and see which is right for you.

7. Is the food kosher? Can I pray with a minyan?

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.

Minyanim

Many of our riders and volunteers are religious and therefore daily minyanim are held at the guesthouses/hotels and at the lunch stops. On Monday and Thursday mornings, we make sure that a Sefer Torah is available. Every year some of the Wheels of Love participants even learn the “daf yomi” together!

8. What are the Terms & Conditions of the ride? What if I need to cancel?

As a condition of participation, you must have read and accepted the event terms and conditions and the ride cancellation policy.

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy

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