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October 23-26, 2023

Wheels of Love 2023

202 RIDERS
See full list >
DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECS
October 23, 2023
$1,044,724
Money Raised
52% raised of $2,000,000

Wheels of Love 2023

Wheels of Love 2023: October 23-26 in Southern Israel

Now in its 23rd year, the ALYN Wheels of Love Ride is the preeminent Israeli charity bike ride.  
Over 400 participants from Israel, the United States, and around the world come together to bike across Israel and raise funds for the children treated at ALYN – Israel’s ONLY pediatric rehabilitation facility  
The funds raised through Wheels of Love help pay for the full cost of treating children at ALYN  

In 2023, you can look forward to:

  • Four Great Road Routes — Challenge, Road Plus,  Road, and Touring
  • Two Great Off Road Routes – Enduro and Trail
  • Ride the final day – GalgALYN
  • All routes finish at ALYN Hospital with medallion ceremony.

ALYN Hospital – Israel’s ONLY facility specializing in pediatric rehabilitation – treats thousands of children with physical disabilities and helps them reach their maximum potential through intensive, active rehabilitation.

Only a portion of the total cost of each child’s care is reimbursed by the Israeli Health Funds or other referring agencies. For bridging the balance of the remaining “gap,” ALYN must rely on donations from our friends and supporters around the globe.

The funds raised through Wheels of Love help cover the costs needed to treat children at ALYN Hospital.

Below, you can read about some of the children treated at ALYN


Lior's Story: "I woke up in the morning and couldn’t move my legs"

Lior was a healthy, active girl, who, in ninth grade, began experiencing pain that gradually increased and became debilitating. One year later, she woke up unable to move her legs at all. Lior was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. She was treated at ALYN Hospital, first as a day-patient, then as a full-time inpatient with an intensive framework of rehabilitation.

“I was afraid that they would tell me, ‘enough, you cannot improve anymore,’ but at ALYN, they didn’t give up on me … they promised to be with me and be there for me until I could stand on my own two feet. I succeeded in standing, and then in walking with two crutches, then one crutch, and then I was able to walk without crutches at all. I left the Hospital on my own two feet … I called it the ‘ALYN Syndrome.’ It causes the brain to believe in its own abilities!”

Read the full story here

Yassin's Story - Living with a Tracheostomy

Yassin was born with a blockage prevented airflow between his lungs and his nose and mouth depriving him of sufficient oxygen. Following multiple surgeries, his medical team decided that a tracheostomy would be Yassin’s best option. At 6 weeks old, Yassin was admitted to ALYN Hospital for respiratory rehabilitation treatment, with the main goal of giving Yassin and his family the skills and tools for him to live at home and play with other children his age, while managing the tracheostomy.

Yassin is now 12 years old, and he has the tools he needs to manage his condition. No one knows what the future holds for sure, but the tracheostomy certainly is not significantly limiting Yassin from having a normal childhood. Yassin enjoys playing ball and marble games with his neighborhood friends. He loves cars and hopes to own a car dealership when he grows up. Although his father is encouraging him to become a doctor or an engineer!

From the ICU to skipping out of ALYN – Emunah's story

Emunah was brought into intensive care after she began experiencing pain in her foot that transformed into paralysis. She was brought to a general hospital, where she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and was brought, intubated and on a ventilator, to the PICU. Following her treatment in hospital, Emunah was brought to ALYN’s Respiratory Rehabilitation Department, eventually “graduating” to General Rehabilitation. Finally, skipping down the hallways of ALYN, Emunah was released and sent home to her family following the completion of her rehabilitation.”

“ALYN is such a special place, full of heart. Families who are here are going through such a difficult time – we have seen the whole process from intensive care until today – and the fact that there are so many smiles and so much love when your child takes the first step – this is a huge part of the rehabilitation process,” Emunah’s mother reflected.

"ALYN Hospital made a miracle for my son…" - Yari's Story

 “ALYN Hospital made a miracle for my son…and not only for my son, but for all children who are treated here!” –Racheli, Yari’s mother

One typical day at school, third grader Yari began feeling really sick, and very quickly became too weak to stand. Fearing the worst, his parents rushed him to a general hospital. Within hours, Yari was undergoing emergency surgery to remove a large tumor from his brain. In a single day, both his entire world, and that of his family’s, was upended.

When Yari arrived at ALYN Hospital, he was unable to speak, eat or move. His multi-disciplinary rehabilitation program was aimed at helping him to re-learn how to accomplish the everyday tasks that most of us take for granted.

Today, one year later, Yari can speak, eat and is making progress toward walking with the aid of a walker. He is back at home with his family, splitting his week between going to school and continuing his rehabilitation at ALYN, getting stronger every day – and he will even be joining The Swift and The Bold on a tandem bicycle during the 2023 Wheels of Love ride!

Route Details

The Road Group is our most popular route. This year’s ride is mostly in the Israeli Judean Desert. Road has long rides but we try to minimize the climbs.

Road Group Daily Average: 77 km/47 miles – Climbing: 760 m/2,400 feet – Pace 16kph (10 mph)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Plus who relish a little challenge. Long mileage with some serious climbs – but the pace is not too fierce.

Road Plus Daily Average: 90 km/ 55 miles — Climbing: 1,200 m, 3,800 feet  

 

 

 

 

Challenge will be led this year by Guy Niv, the first Israeli to complete the Tour de France. Guy will lead us on a brisk pace through the mountains of the Dead Sea.

Challenge Daily Average:  115 km/70 miles — Climbing: 1,600 meters, 5,000 feet  — Pace 30kph

 

 

 

 

The vast majority of Enduro routes this year are on singles. The singles are not overly technical but do include a large number of steep drops followed by short steep rises. You should be comfortable with this style of riding to join Enduro. The last day is marked by significant climbing to reach ALYN. Trail will be many of the same trails but with shorter distances, slower pace, and skipping any steep drops.

Enduro Daily Average:  45-55 km — Climbing: 300-500 meters

 

 

 

 

Trail has many of the same great routes as Enduro, just a little shorter distance, more moderate speed, and no steep or technical obstacles. 

Trail Daily Average:  40-45 km — Climbing: 300-500 meters (except final day) Strava Links:   Monday     Tuesday     Wednesday    Thursday 

 

 

 

 

Our amazing guide Rony from last year returns!

Most days, tours are in the morning. We meet the riders for lunch and then ride on our bikes to the end. Beautiful flat riding and descents, no climbs! 

All tours are also tentative at this point Road Group Daily Avg: 25 km/15 miles 

 

 

 

 

GalgALYN givies riders to join any of the riding groups for the last day of the ride, Thursday, October 26. Most riders join the Trail group. Joining GalgALYN costs a $100 registration fee and we ask that riders raise 1,000 NIS ($500).

 

Corporate sponsors may also send teams of riders.

 

Riders should park their cars either at Park Begin  (off-road) or Bet Guvrin Gas Station (Road.) After the ride, we will have buses from ALYN back to the start so riders can return to their cars.

 

 

How about two days? If you want to come for two days, here’s the plan:

Monday, OCTOBER 23 Drive to Eretz Tzeelim Hotel. Leave car and stay with us in the evening.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 24 Ride with us — Ronen Forest, Sharsheret, Netivot, Ofakim Singles Stay in hotel Wednesday,

OCTOBER 25 Ride with us: Bsor and Kissufim Singles Come back to your car at hotel and drive home!

This is half the ride, so the fees are: Registration: 1,000 NIS Fundraising/Donation: 4,000 NIS ($1,200)

Contact us for questions and to register.

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 (Beit Lid Bus Stop) 5:45 AM
Jerusalem Liberty Bell Park (Gan Hapa’amon) 6:00 AM
Bet Shemesh TBD 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:  NEW RIDERS
Road, Road Plus, Challenge, Hiking, Touring $5,000/18,000 NIS $2,500/9,000 NIS
Enduro, Trail $4,000/14,500 NIS $2,000/7,250 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.

The 2024 Wheels of Love ride will take place November 11-14, 2024.

כלל חברה לביטוח ORAMED pharmaceuticals AdamaFinnegan Fiveblocks swiss re Boeing UCANciscoAdvantage LupkinR S NESStwillory
202 RIDERS
See full list >
DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECS
October 23, 2023
$1,044,724
Money Raised
52% raised of $2,000,000
202 RIDERS
See full list >
DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECS
October 23, 2023
$1,044,724
Money Raised
52% raised of $2,000,000
Wheels of Love 2023