October 23-26, 2023

Wheels of Love 2023

0% raised of $3,000,000

Routes

Ride Details

Gallery

Leader
board

Our Top Fundraisers

RIDERS

Name

Country

Raised

Teams

Team

Captain

Raised

Rider Facilitated GiftsName
Amount
Purpose
Eli Kazhdan
ALYN Center for Innovation in Pediatric Rehabilitation Research

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: 70 km/43 miles – Climbing: 470 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 ride out of our hotel in Ber Sheva and have a spectacular desert ride finishing 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

Today, we start with a short bus ride that will take us up above the Dead Sea to the start at the famous “Colored Sands” Monument in the Great Crater (Maktesh Gadol.)

From there we ride through the desert including 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.)

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

We are still finalizing the details of the Enduro routes. In general, each day we will between 40-50 km, the majority of the riding will be on singles. All Enduro riders should feel comfortable riding through technical segments and strong enough to ride long distances on the trails.

Below you will find the areas and trails we are considering riding. Exact routes will be updated on an ongoing basis.

On Tuesday 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 onbe 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. The Shokeda single in the forest across the street from Be’eri offers even more thrills, with even deeper plunges and ascents and finally the descent down a wooden ladder ramp!

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.

On Tuesday we have a short bus ride to a trail 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 that even most Israel’s are unaware of.

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.

We are still finalizing the details of the Trail routes. In general, each day we will between 40-50 km, the majority of the riding will be on singles. All Enduro riders should feel comfortable riding through technical segments and strong enough to ride long distances on the trails.

Below you will find the areas and trails we are considering riding. Exact routes will be updated on an ongoing basis.

The Trail group will begin Wheels of Love in the forests of Be’eri, close to where the Enduro group is tackling the Be’eri single. We meet up at the pit stop and then proceed to more local jeep trails around Shokeda forest.

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

Your ALYN Fundraising Toolkit

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

A BOY, A BIKE RIDE AND BESHERT

As a point of true beshert, Meori’s family was connected to ALYN Hospital in a special way – Meori’s father, Hovav, had been participating in the Wheels of Love bike ride, raising funds for ALYN Hospital, since 2005. For Hovav, ALYN was already a place he considered his second home. Combining bike riding with the mitzvah of tzedakah is something he looks forward to year after year. So, without thinking twice, he contacted Dr. Maurit Beeri, Director General of ALYN Hospital, and asked if Meori could be admitted there for the duration of his rehabilitation process, to which Dr. Beeri agreed. In Hovav’s words: “To us, it was clear we were going home.” See the whole story…

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR FOR ETAI

Etai shares, as is typical of a boy his age, that he is happy that he does not have to go to school, but later in the conversation admits that the thought of being able to return to the classroom with his friends motivates him to continue rehabilitation and invest every day despite the difficulties and pain. “Knowing that I’ll be joining my friends later makes me optimistic. I work as hard I can. It’s not fun that I still cannot be one of the gang in the simple way I used to be. Friends do come to visit when possible, but it’s not the same as meeting in the morning, going to school and then meeting up again in the afternoon.” See the whole story…

GERMANA BASSO, FROM PATIENT TO ROLE MODEL

Germana Basso is a volunteer at ALYN Hospital. At 22-years-old, she has completed her service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and will soon be entering medical school at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Another piece of her life story is that she spent much of her first six years of life receiving rehabilitation at ALYN Hospital. See the whole story…

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 over 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 $4,000 and $5,500, but we hope you will aim for more. If you can ride for four 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 $6,000. 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!

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

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. We have three options for check-in: Thursday, October 19: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM — ALYN Friday, October 20: 8:30 AM to 1 PM — ALYN Sunday, October 22: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Leonardo Ber Sheva Hotel Our address in Jerusalem is: 84 Shmaryahu Levin St., Kiryat Yovel How to get to ALYN

Daily Schedule (We will update riders of changes to this schedule through Whatsapp) 6:30-7:30 Breakfast 8:00 Start of day’s riding 3:00 Estimated daily finish 4:00-6:00 After ride party 6:00 Yoga Sessions 6:30-8:00 Dinner 8:30 Next Day’s Ride Briefing There will be minyanim at the starting area on Monday (with sefer Torah) and at all hotels during the ride. Typically Schaharit is at 6:00 (5:45 on Thursday), Mincha is before dinner, and Maariv is at 8:00.

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.

While we are still finalizing the exact starting location, it will be in Israel’s south-west, about an hour from the airport and Tel Aviv and a little longer from Jerusalem. For those coming Sunday night, we provide buses to the hotel from the airport, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon. Only bikes that are in boxes can go on these buses. The mechanics at the hotel will unpack and build them for those checking-in Sunday night at the hotel. For those who checked-in at ALYN, your bikes will be transported to the start. In the past, we have had buses from the following locations: Jerusalem (Liberty Bell park) Tel Aviv (Reading Station) Raanana Latrun Modiin Elyakim

Road Groups: Sunday Night (Optional) and Monday: Leonardo Beer-Sheva Tuesday and Wednesday: Leonardo Plaza Dead Sea Off-Road Groups: Sunday Night (Optional): Leonardo Beer Sheva Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Eretz Tzeelim

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.) Road Gloves: $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Off-Road Gloves (long finger): $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Summer Sleeves: $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Winter Riding Cap: $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Winter Riding Socks: $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Summer Riding Socks: $10/₪35 or 1 gift certificate Wheels of Love Water Bottles: $20/₪70 or 1 gift certificate Bib Shorts: $60/₪200 or 3 gift certificates

Every rider receives an official Wheels of Love jersey, and we ask that it be worn on the first and last days of the ride. Corporate sponsors can have their logo placed on the jersey ($10,000 and above minimum commitment.) To have logos on the jersey, we need confirmation of sponsorship by the end of April.

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.

Dear [Donor’s Name], I am writing to you today to share an exciting opportunity I have to support a wonderful cause. As you may know, I am an avid cyclist, and I have recently committed to participate in a tough bike ride to raise funds for ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. You can donate online on my fundraising page: [insert your fundraising page link] ALYN Hospital is a remarkable institution that provides cutting-edge rehabilitation care for children with physical disabilities. The hospital’s team of doctors, therapists, and caregivers are committed to providing the best possible care for children with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and neuromuscular disorders. The bike ride I am participating in is no easy feat. I will be cycling through challenging terrain, facing steep climbs and descents, and pushing my physical limits to complete the ride. However, I am willing to take on this challenge because I believe in the incredible work that ALYN Hospital is doing for children and families in need. I am reaching out to you today because I am seeking your support in this effort. I am hoping to raise [insert fundraising goal] for ALYN Hospital and I would be deeply grateful for any contribution you are able to make. Your donation will help support vital rehabilitation services for children in need, including physical and occupational therapy, adaptive equipment, and specialized care. I know that times are tough for many people right now, but any amount you are able to contribute will make a difference. Whether it is $5, $50, or $500, your donation will go a long way in helping to support ALYN Hospital and the children they serve. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Your contribution will make a difference in the lives of children in need and will help me to reach my fundraising goal. Sincerely, [Your Name]

The minimum fundraising requirements depend on which route you choose. The amounts are: Trail & Enduro: $4,000 Road & Touring:$5,000 Challenge: $5,500 FIRST TIME RIDERS: 50% of the above 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, 2023 will be charged the shortfall. The credit card will not be charged prior to December 31, 2023, two months after the ride, so there is plenty of time to continue additional fundraising in order make up the deficit.

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 and buses will take riders to a few specific places in the country.

FAQ

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