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Wheels of Love - I Love ALYN

31 Participants
See full list >
$43,608
Money Raised

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.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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 (near Namal) 3:00 PM
Ben Gurion Airport Outside Arrivals Hall 5:00 PM
     

 

 

Monday Morning Buses

Location Pick up Time
Tel Aviv Tsomet Ben Gurian Bus Stop 6:15
Modiin/Chashmonaim Bus Station Past Police Station 6:00
Efrat Parking lot by Medical Center 5:30
Bet Shemesh/Latrun Latrun Gas Station 5:30
Jerusalem Liberty Bell Park (Gan Hapa’amon) 5:30

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.

FAQ

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31 Participants
See full list >
$43,608
Money Raised