Israel (Trail: 10/24-10/27, Road: 10/24-10/26), Chesapeake Bay, MD 10/24-10/26

Wheels of Love 2021

Israel (Trail: 10/24-10/27, Road: 10/24-10/26), Chesapeake Bay, MD 10/24-10/26

294 RIDERS

See full list >

DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECS

October 24, 2021

$1,102,435

Money Raised

37% raised of $3,000,000

Wheels of Love 2021 is going global!

We will ride together, all over the world, during the week of October 24.

For our Israeli cyclists: Wheels of Love 2021 will take place in Southern Israel. Off road routes will be 4-days while the Road, Road Plus, and Challenge routes will be 3 days.

For our North American cyclists: We are bringing Wheels of Love 2021 to the Eastern Shore of Maryland! Join us for three days of cycling along the back roads around Cambridge, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and the historic land and waterways around the Chesapeake Bay. Click here for details and registration.

In Europe, many of the Dutch Wheels of Love riders will ride the Eruv ride in Amsterdam for ALYN.

And across the globe – #MyALYNRide is available to anyone who wants to ride for the children of ALYN.

Thank you for being a part of our Wheels of Love family. Together we can continue raising funds and awareness for the children of ALYN Hospital.

Whatever the ride looks like this year, one thing will not change – the children, families and staff of ALYN will be counting on you for support.

Please email us with any questions and stay tuned for more updates.

How it works

Register for the ride.
You can choose from 5 routes based on terrain and different levels of difficulty.
Come alone or with friends.
The trip is intended for skilled riders and each day is ridden for 6-7 hours.

Raise funds
When registering for the ride, you undertake to raise money for ALYN. You can give a donation yourself or ask family and friends to sponsor you. Don’t worry – you have plenty of time! The money can be raised until 31.12.21

Ride!
Five days of desert riding along the amazing trails and roads that cross the mountains, valleys and dry rivers of the Negev. The trip includes accommodations, a convoy of escort vehicles, and everything you need to have a perfect trip.

Check-in

Check-in will take place in the ALYN Hospital garage on Friday, October 22^nd from 8:00-13:00. If you are unable to check-in during that time, contact the office to make alternative arrangements. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the hospital is closed to the public and we cannot give tours.
You will receive an individualized rider packet with bike and luggage tags and special gifts from our sponsors.
Every cyclist receives a 2021 Wheels of Love jersey. We ask that you wear it on the first and last day of the ride. First-time participants will receive a complimentary jersey from a previous year’s ride.
ALYN Special Projects staff will be present to answer any questions you may have.
We encourage you to bring gifts for the children at ALYN when you check in.

What's Included?

Route Details

Enduro Average: 54km — Climbing: 628 meters

Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

All routes are subject to change at any time.

Trail Group Daily Average: 40 km — Climbing: 430 meters

Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

All routes are subject to change at any time.

Road Group Daily Avg: 71 km – Climbing: 610 m – Pace 16kph (10 mph)

Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday

Because of the restrictions on riders from abroad coming to Israel, the three road routes will be be over three days. Each route will have a supporting vehicle with mechanics

Routes are subject to change at any time.

Road Plus Daily Avg: 89 km – Climbing: 1251 meters – Pace 25 km/hour.

Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday

Road Plus will ride along the same routes as the Challenge group but at a slower pace. The group will have its own mechanic, paramedic, and escort vehicle.

Challenge Daily Average: 121 km — Climbing: 1,225 — Pace 30kph

Map Links: Sunday Monday Tuesday

Because of the restrictions on riders from abroad coming to Israel, the three road routes will be be over three days. Each route will have a supporting vehicle with mechanics

All routes are subject to change at any time.

GalgALYN - Riding for one day

The one day GalgALYN ride will take place on Monday, October 25, 2021.

This year the one day ride will be Off-Road – check out the route above, under Trail, Day 2.

Wheels of Love Incentive Gifts

$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

Ride Info

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. Several times every day we will have pit stops where riders can take a break, refuel, and use a bathroom.

Evenings
All routes will end 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
All riders and bikes will be transported to ALYN Hospital after the ride. Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic the hospital is closed and we cannot host a closing ceremony.

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

Cycling shorts, shoes, gloves, socks
We are providing a 2021 cycling jersey. At check-in, you will be able to purchase jerseys from previous years for a heavily discounted price – -while supplies last. Please wear the ALYN 2021 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

For Hikers:

Comfortable walking shoes
Medium size backpack
Hat
Rain Gear
Flashlight
Trekking poles (optional)

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

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

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

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.

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, 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.

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, 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.

4. Is ALYN's Wheels of Love safe?

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.

5. Do I need spending money?

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.

6. What's the difference between the routes and how difficult are they?

Please note: Any route which does not ahve at least 10 particpants will be combined with another route.

We have designed the routes to appeal to a wide range of cyclists.

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.

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

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.

Your ALYN Fundraising Tool Kit

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.

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

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’s Rehabilitation and Recovery: Hope & Hard Work

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.

READ MORE.

ELCHANAN’S RECOVERY

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.

READ MORE.

ETAI’S BITTERSWEET BAR-MITZVAH CELEBRATION

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.

READ MORE.

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.

WHERE TO START

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:

Aim high. Set an ambitious fundraising goal for yourself. The minimum you need to raise is between $3,000 and $4,000, but we hope you will aim for more. If you can ride for five days straight, up and down hills, through all types of weather, you can certainly go the extra mile for the children of ALYN. Over 50% of riders raise over $5,000. That’s a great goal.
Make a personal donation. Lead by example. To convince others to make a contribution, it helps to show that you are equally committed to the cause. Your registration fee helps pay for the ride logistics; donations are sent directly to the hospital.
Ask friends and family. It’s easiest to start with those closest to you. Once you convey your excitement about participating in Wheels of Love and they learn about ALYN, they will be happy to support you. Suggest an amount with which they would be comfortable.
Expand your asking circle. If you think beyond closest family and friends, there are endless possibilities: neighbors, work colleagues and business associates, acquaintances from school, college, synagogue/church, the health club and your biking club. If you work for a company with a matching gifts program, you may be able to multiply the effect of your gift. A basic rule of fundraising is that the main reason people give is because they have been asked by someone they know and trust. That someone is you!

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:

Spin class held at a local gym
Bowl-a-thon
Trampoline park outing
Team gear (hats, training jerseys) created with corporate sponsorships
Wine and cheese reception

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.

Sample letter

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:

Donate online with a credit card at (INSERT YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK).
You can also send a check:

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.

Our Corporate Sponsors

אנו אסירי תודה לנותני החסות של מסע גלגלי אהבה המאפשרים לאלי”ן לעשות שינוי אמיתי בחייהם של אלפי ילדים

Finnegan – Resmed – כלל – Romed – Advantage – SwissRe – Boeing – Oramed – ESOP Excellence – UCAN – Lupkin PLLC – Cisco – ADAMA – Twillory – Bank Leumi – Shomera

Training Tips

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.

Riding Long Distances

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.

Survive the Climbs

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.

Prepare to Ride Every Day

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.

Avoid Common Mistakes

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.

Just for Trail/Enduro

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)

Advanced Technical Riding Tips

For Enduro riders, here are a few tips to tackle the most technical sections of our courses. (From GMBN)

Corporate Sponsorship

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.)