Wheels of Love 2023: October 23-26 in Southern Israel
- Three Great Road Routes — Challenge, Road Plus, and Road
- Two Great Off Road Routes – Enduro and Trail
- Hiking and Touring Routes
- All routes finish at ALYN Hospital with medallion ceremony.
October 23-26, 2023
Wheels of Love 2023
$40,575
Money Raised
1% raised of $3,000,000
Wheels of Love 2023
Route Details
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
Road Group Daily Avg: 77 km/47 miles – Climbing: 760 m/2,400 feet – Pace 16kph (10 mph)
Strava Links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All days include well-stocked pit stops. mechanical and medical support, an escort by the Israeli police and a SAG bus for riders who need a break.
The Road group starts Wheels of Love 2023 with a beautiful route taking us from the forest and plains of south-west Israel to the semi-desert around Ber -Sheva. Climbs will be gentle as we make our way through the changing scenery with wooden forests giving way to the open landscapes that mark the start of Israel’s drier region.
Check out Monday’s route on Strava
Today we have a short bus ride to the awesome desert scene of the Maktesh Gadol (Large Crater.) We will ride through the desert and finish at the Dead Sea.
It may look like a long distance day, but the last 25 km/15 miles in an amazing downhill ride to the lowest place on Earth. Cold beer awaits at our hotel, the Leonardo Ain Bokek.
Check out Tuesday’s route on Strava
All the magnificence of the desert without the huge climbs! Today, we start with a short bus ride that will take us up above the Dead Sea to the turn that takes us west across the desert.
We finish once again with an epic downhill ride along Route #25 with spectacular views and a descent of over 20 kilometers (12 miles.)
We finish by riding into the hotel in time for the after ride party.
Check out Wednesday’s route on Strava
On the last day of Wheels of Love 2023, we will have a short bus ride to a town close to Jerusalem and from there ride to ALYN Hospital.
The route includes the traditional climb of Nes Harim for all road groups. For those who find the climb beyond their abilities, there will be plenty of bike shuttles to our lunch at the top.
Check out Thursday’s route on Strava
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
Road Plus Daily Average: 90 km/ 55 miles — Climbing: 1,200 m, 3,800 feet — Pace 25kph
Strava Links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All days include well-stocked pit stops. mechanical and medical support, an escort by the Israeli police and a SAG bus for riders who need a break.
The Road Plus group starts Wheels of Love 2023 with a beautiful route taking us from the forest and plains of south-west Israel to the semi-desert around Ber -Sheva. We will ride by Israel’s southern towns of Sederot, Kfar Azza, and Netivot.
Climbs will be gentle as we make our way through the changing scenery with wooden forests giving way to the open landscapes that mark the start of Israel’s drier region.
Check out Monday’s route on Strava
On Tuesday, the Plus group will take a short bus ride to the start at Yerucham park.
We start by traversing the “Great Crater,” a geological formation only found in Israel. We ride past the colored sands park and across the desert. After riding through high desert, we descend all the way to the Dead Sea. Don’t be intimidated by the distance, the last 25 kilometers (15 miles) is a beautiful descent with spectacular views to the lowest place on Earth.
Cold beers will await as we ride to our hotel.
Check out Tuesday’s route on Strava
We start and finish Wednesday’s ride at our hotel. It will be a day of challenging climbs and thrilling descents. This morning we will be riding up the road we enjoyed coasting down on Tuesday. We will ride UP Route #31 – the beautiful winding road that we rode down on Tuesday.
But at least that will get the major climbing out of the way with the rest of the day to enjoy some of the best desert riding that Israel has to offer. Route #25 is a very long and picturesque downhill that usually has too much traffic to ride safely. We will our police escort with us however making sure that we can fully enjoy the descent.
Check out Wednesday’s route on Strava
On the final day of the 2023 Wheels of Love ride, we will begin riding along one of most popular back roads for Israeli cyclists. The road has a series of short but steep hills leading to a magnificent 10 kilometer stretch through the vineyards of Lachish.
For the first time in three years, all the road routes will climb the daunting Nes Harim mountain and regroup over lunch at Bar B’Har. (The bar on the mountain.)
The finishing stretch includes a long downhill, the new Jerusalem cycling tunnel, and then a short climb to ALYN Hospital for the finish and medallion ceremony.
Check out Thursday’s route on Strava
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
Challenge Daily Average: 115 km/70 miles — Climbing: 1,600 meters, 5,000 feet — Pace 30kph
Strava Links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All days include well-stocked pit stops. mechanical and medical support, an escort by the Israeli police and a SAG bus for riders who need a break.
The Challenge group starts Wheels of Love 2023 with a beautiful route taking us from the forest and plains of south-west Israel to the semi-desert around Beer -Sheva. We will ride by Israel’s southern towns of Re’im, Kfar Azza, and Netivot.
Climbs will be gentle as we make our way through the changing scenery with wooden forests giving way to the open landscapes that mark the start of Israel’s drier region.
Check out Monday’s route on Strava
On Tuesday, Challenge will ride from our hotel in Beer Sheva all the way to Ein Bokek. Along the way we will traverse the Maktesh Gadol (Giant Crater,) a unique geological formation caused by massive underground erosion.
By the time we descend the last 25 kilometers (15 miles) to the lowest place on Earth, we will deserve the cold beers waiting for us at our hotel.
Check out Tuesday’s route on Strava
We start the day riding out of our hotel to Masada, one of the most famous ancient sites in all of Israel. We will cross Masada and continue riding on the spectacular back road that connects the site with the city of Arad. After Arad it’s a short and steep downhill and then we turn South and cut across the desert before hitting the famous winding descent of Route #25.
We will get the major climbing out of the way in the morning with the rest of the day to enjoy some of the best desert riding that Israel has to offer.
Check out Wednesday’s route on Strava. (Distance and elevation the same, start and finish will be at hotel not at Masada as depicted on Strava link.)
On the final day of the 2023 Wheels of Love ride, we will begin riding along one of most popular back roads for Israeli cyclists. The road has a series of short but steep hills leading to a magnificent 10 kilometer stretch through the vineyards of Lachish.
For the first time in three years, all the road routes will climb the daunting Nes Harim mountain and regroup over lunch at Bar B’Har. (The bar on the mountain.)
The finishing stretch includes a long downhill and then a short climb to ALYN Hospital for the finish and medallion ceremony.
Check out Thursday’s route on Strava
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
Enduro Daily Average: 45-55 km — Climbing: 300-500 meters (except final day, which is 1,400 meters of climbing)
Strava links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All days include well-stocked pit stops. mechanical and medical support.
On Monday, we begin at the entrance to the town of Be’eri. Be’eri has been a mecca for off-road riders since the first section of the Be’eri single was built and remains one of the most popular trails in all of Israel. We begin by riding the extended single — all 28 kilometers. The trail was built with numerous drops and rises and banked turns. While there are many steep descents, your momentum from the descent should carry you right over.
When we finish with Be’eri, we are not done for the day. After lunch we will ride in Shokeda Forest. A beautiful trail that will connect with the Nahal Bohu Single. Boho takes us to Netivot where we will finish the day.
After the experience of riding both Be’eri and Shokeda, there will be many stories to tell back at the hotel at Happy Hour, after a short bus ride to our hotel at Tzeelim.
Check out Monday’s route on Strava
On Tuesday we have a short bus ride to a set of single track trails that just might be the most fun in Israel. We start zipping along winding turns of the forest. Then suddenly we are in the open and on the roller coaster of plunges and climbs that characterize the trail along the Grar stream.
After a short stop, we cross under the highway and ride through the Netivot forest, a stunning single that winds though a magnificent forest.
The trail is fast and flowing and 100% fun for anyone who enjoys a challenging single. It’s not overly technical, but one should have solid bike handling skills to navigate all the twists and turns.
Check out Tuesday’s route on Strava
We start the day in Park Eshkol and ride along a trail that hugs the canyon formed by the Bsor Stream. That will take us to one of the newest single tracks in the area, the Kissufim Single. Winding through the forest that lies in between the Gaza Border communities, Kissufim is full of plunges and rises, with most of the route deeply shaded.
Check out Wednesday’s route on Strava
On the final day of ALYN, we will have the long climbs that have been missing from our rides down south. But the challenge of climbing 1,400 meters will make the finish at ALYN so much more rewarding.
We begin in Park Britannia on the Masua Single. The trail is typical of the Judean Mountains area with more rocky obstacles than the plunges and rises we have gotten used to in the South. We ride down and go under the first of three roads emerging in the vineyards of the Ella Valley Winery.
After a short break, we start to climb. Most of our journey will now be along the Israel National Trail as we continue into Park Begin and ascend the famous Yad Kennedy Climb. After a three kilometer climb, we turn a trail high above the railroad tracks until we reach the Israel National Aquarium and Zoo. From there, it is just a short hop to ALYN Hospital and the children waiting to cheer you at the finish.
Check out Thursday’s route on Strava
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
Trail Daily Average: 40-45 km — Climbing: 300-500 meters (except final day)
Strava Links (Updated as available): Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All days include well-stocked pit stops. mechanical and medical support.
Wheels of Love officially kicks off in the community of Be’eri, a mecca for both on-road and off-road riding.
The Trail group will start by riding a section of the ANZAC trail – the route by which the Australia New Zealand Army Corp outflanked and defeated the Turkish Army in the first World War. We will ride by several monuments to the fallen soldiers.
Next we ride around a nature preserve that holds the Be’eri Crater (“Maktesh.”) Most Israelis know about Maktesh Ramon, the Big Crater, and the Small Crater. The same geological forces that created these also created a much smaller crater near Be’eri.
We will meet the Enduro group at Be’eri park as they emerge from the Be’eri Single Track while we ride along the nearby 4 x 4 trail. After a short pit stop, we will continue riding through the Be’eri forest until we return to our starting point for a well deserved lunch. After lunch, we ride across the street in the Shokeda Forest.
Today’s route is a little shorter so that rider can adjust to the start of four days or all-day riding!
Check out Monday’s route on Strava
On Tuesday we have a short bus ride to Ronen Forest, near Ofakim. We will start off on a beautiful scenic gravel road that will run alongside the single that the Enduro riders will be riding.
After a short stop, we cross under the highway and ride through the Netivot forest, a stunning single (not at all technical) that winds though a magnificent forest.
We then will ride a jeep trial along the Grar stream leading to our finish back near Be’eri.
Check out Tuesday’s route on Strava
On the final day of ALYN, we will have the long climbs that have been missing from our rides down south. But the challenge of climbing 1,400 meters will make the finish at ALYN so much more rewarding.
We begin in Park Britannia. We will ride on wide jeep trails and make our way down to the Ellah Valley, home of the Ellah Valley Winery.
After a short break, we start to climb. Most of our journey will now be along the Israel National Trail as we continue into Park Begin and ascend the famous Yad Kennedy Climb. After a three kilometer climb, we turn a trail high above the railroad tracks until we reach the Israel National Aquarium and Zoo. From there, it is just a short hop to ALYN Hospital and the children waiting to cheer you at the finish.
Check out Thursday’s route on Strava
Below you will find preliminary routes. These routes will change before they are finalized. However, the general areas where we will be riding and the average distances and elevation will be very close to what is written.
All tours are also tentative at this point Road Group Daily Avg: 25 km/15 miles – Climbing: 300 m/2,000 feet – Pace 16kph (10 mph)
Strava Links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
All the details
Wheels of Love begins on Monday, October 23, 2023. All riders need to check-in before the ride. For those coming from abroad, mechanics will be available during all three check-in times to unpack and build bikes.
Check-in Options
| Thursday, October 19 | ALYN Hospital | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Friday, October 20 | ALYN Hospital | 8:30 AM to 1 PM |
| Sunday, October 22 | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Leonardo Beer Sheva Hotel |
Daily Schedule
| Time | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| 5:45-6:30 AM | Davening |
| 6:30-7:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Start of ride/bus to start |
| 4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Ride Finish/After Ride Party |
| 6:00 PM | Yoga |
| 6:30 PM-8:00 PM | Dinner |
| 8:30 PM | Next Day Ride Briefing |
| 9:00 PM | Arvit |
Every day, there will be two pit stops including a lunch stop. We try to have the lunch in the early afternoon towards the end of the ride, especially after heavy climbing if the route allows.
Pit-stop food in the past has included:
- Gatorade
- Water
- Nuts
- Bananas
- Energy bars
- Dates
- Pickles
- Pretzels or other salty snacks
Lunches in the past have included:
- Soup
- Sandwiches (tuna, egg, cheese, peanut butter, etc.)
- Salads
- Yogurt
- Granola
After the ride After the ride, we have a small party back at the hotel (or at the end of the day’s riding if we are taking a bus back to the hotel) which includes cold beer, soft drinks, and snacks Most of the food for the ride is donated by companies that support ALYN so we often don’t have the full menu until right before the ride, but we try to ensure there is protein, carbs, something salty, and something sweet.
Bus seats MUST be reserved in advance. Monday buses will arrive early enough for Shacharet.
Sunday Bus to Leonardo Hotel: Beer Sheva
| Location | Link | Time |
| Jerusalem | Liberty Bell Park | 3:00 PM |
| Tel Aviv | Reading Station | 3:00 PM |
| Ben Gurion Airport | Outside Arrivals Hall | 5:00 PM |
Monday Bus to Grand Start (Be’eri)
| Location | Link | Time |
| Zichron Yaakov | TBD | 5:20 AM |
| Modiin | TBD | 5:30 AM |
| Efrat | Parking lot by medical center | 5:30 AM |
| Beit Lid | Tsomet HaSharon | 5:45 AM |
| Jerusalem | Liberty Bell Park (Gan Hapa’amon) | 6:00 AM |
| Bet Shemesh | Tsomet HaSharon (Beit Lid Bus Stop) | 6:00 AM |
| Raanana | TBD | 6:00 AM |
| Tel Aviv | Reading Bus Terminal | 6:30 AM |
Ride Hotels
| Day | Route | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, October 22 (optional) | All routes | Leonardo Beer Sheva |
| Monday, October 23 | All Road Routes | Leonardo Beer Sheva |
| Monday, October 23 | Off-Road Routes | Erets Zeelim |
| Tuesday, October 24 | All Road Routes | Leonardo Ein Bokek (Dead Sea) |
| Tuesday, October 24 | Off-Road Routes | Erets Zeelim |
| Wednesday, Otober 25 | All Road Routes | Leonardo Ein Bokek (Dead Sea) |
| Wednesday, Otober 25 | All Off-Road Routes | Leonardo Ein Bokek (Dead Sea) |
All Wheels of Love meals and pit stops are kosher at the Israeli Rabbinate level. Valid certificates will be on display at all hotels and at the lunch breaks. Riders can request individually wrapped Mehadrin meals for an additional fee. You must let us know three weeks before the ride if you would like to order Mehadrin meals.
Kashrut Leonardo Beer Sheva Hotel
Click Here to see the Certificate
Kashrut Leonardo Ein Bokek Hotel
Click Here to see the Certificate
Kashrut Tseelim
Click Here to see the Certificate
Show your Wheels of Love pride wherever you ride. The Wheels of Love store will be open during check-in. All items have the ALYN Wheels of Love logo and will be available for purchase while supplies last.
**Special Fundraising Incentive: For every $6,000 you raise by check-in, you will get a gift certificate for one item of your choice. (Specially marked items require more than one certificate.)
| Swag | Price | Gift Certificate |
| Road Gloves (short finger) | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Off Road Gloves (long finger) | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Summer Sleeves | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Winter Riding Cap | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Winter Riding Socks | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Summer Riding Socks | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Wheels of Love Water Bottles | $20/70 NIS | One |
| Wheels of Love Bib Shorts | $60/₪200 | Three |
Wheels of Love is a fully supported ride. That means that the on-road groups are accompanied by a police escort who will close the roads to traffic when the ride comes through. Every group has ride leaders, mechanics, and paramedics. Every day, there will be two pit-stops including a lunch break with fresh and nutritious food.
Sample fundraising letter
| Dear [Donor’s Name], | ||
| Please sponsor me on the ALYN Wheels of Love bike ride. You can sponsor online here (Insert your link) | ||
| The ride takes place over four days and traverses hundreds of miles in Israel. This year is especially meaningful as we will be riding through some of the communities that have been the target of multiple rocket attacks from the Gaza strip. | ||
| But the purpose of the ride is to raise money for ALYN – Israel’s ONLY pediatric rehabilitation facility dedicated to helping children recover or learn to live with serious physical disabilities. | ||
| Please sponsor my ride with any amount that you can. All donations are tax deductible and help ALYN provide treatment for thousands of children. | ||
| The ride is challenging, but not even close to what these kids face every day. They deserve the best treatment available, which is why I am hoping you will join me in support for this cause. | ||
| Thank you so much! |
The minimum fundraising requirements depend on which route you choose. The amounts are:
| Route: | Minimum Required: | |
| Road, Road Plus, Challenge, Hiking, Touring | $5,000/18,000 NIS | |
| Enduro, Trail | $4,000/14,500 NIS |
New to fundraising? Looking for a few tips to help you collect sponsorships? 1- Share a few stories of children who have been treated at ALYN 2- Listen to A few Wheels of Love veteran riders explain how they have raised way beyond the minimum for ALYN.
Barry & Jill Levenfeld
Home: Jerusalem, Israel Years Riding Wheels of Love: 22 (Barry), 21 (Jill) Lifetime Fundraising: $731,275
Click here or on picture to hear Barry & Jill’s tips
Jay Bailey
Home: Efrat, Israel Years Riding Wheels of Love: 9 Lifetime Fundraising: $42,212 Click here or on picture to hear Jay’s tips
Rocky Brody
Home: Alon Shevut, Israel Years Riding Wheels of Love: 11 Lifetime Fundraising: $32,827 Click here or on picture to hear Rocky’s tips
Robert Feldman
Home: Chicago, IL USA Years Riding Wheels of Love: 21 Lifetime Fundraising: $139,370 Click here or on picture to hear Robert’s tips
Steven Nachman
Home: Plainview, NY USA Years Riding Wheels of Love: 13 Lifetime Fundraising: $274,338 Click here or on picture to hear Steven’s tips
Days could be hot and sunny or cold and rainy. Take whatever clothing and gear you can ride in no matter what the weather.
- We are providing a 2023 cycling jersey that should be worn on the first and last days of the ride.
- Bicycle helmet. No one will be allowed to ride without a helmet.
- Spare inner tube, a simple set of tools and derailleur hanger suitable for your bike. Off-Road: spare brake disc pads.
- 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
- Lip balm
- Band-Aid and any medications you take
- 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 to wash out jersey and shorts in hotel sink
The ride will finish at ALYN Hospital around 3:00 P.M. At ALYN, riders will be welcomed by hundreds of children who have been treated at ALYN and their families. Every rider will receive a special commemorative medallion from one of the children. There will be a short ceremony with light refreshments. Mechanics will be on hand to pack bikes that are going overseas.
Pictures from Wheels of Love 2022
