ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem is one of the world’s leading specialists in the active and intensive rehabilitation of children with a broad range of physical disabilities. ALYN is a non-profit organization treating babies, children, adolescents and young adults. The hospital receives minimal funding from the government of Israel and depends on donations and proceeds from events such as the Wheels of Love charity bike ride.
Wheels of Love is Israel’s largest sports charity event. Bicyclists began in Tiberias and ended in Jerusalem. The route for 2007 included scenery up north, including the Golan, the Galilee, the valleys, and a ride down the coast to Tel Aviv. The final day, riders entered Jerusalem as a large group and ending with a festive end-of-the-ride ceremony.
Here is a day-by-day account of the ride.
Day 1
Wow! The first day finally came and we survived. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous! The ride was a little tough. We climbed about 3,300 feet and the downhills were insane. We had to have our hands on our brakes the entire way down. Saying they were steep is a huge understatement.
The camaraderie between all the riders was great. We were like one big family.There were about 500 riders from 13 countries. It was so nice to be part of this.
The ride was hard, but it was well worth it when I think about all the scenery I saw and the accomplishment I felt at the end of the day.
I’m going to sleep now to rest up for tomorrow’s ride.
Day 2
After a short rest, we continued across the Golan Heights where we saw tanks, the Syrian border and some army bases as we rode. Then we went down for a 1,500 feet decent down all the way back to where we started. The thrill of going downhill at about 30 to 35 miles per hour, not pedaling, was a really great feeling after climbing so much earlier in the day.
Tomorrow we begin our three day ride to Jerusalem, where we will ride right up to the ALYN Hospital and the children will be waiting to see us with flags and music. I think it will really put a big smile on their faces when they see all of us and what we did for them.
In fact, there were many times as I was climbing the mountain that I told myself just to think about the children—they are living with their disabilities, doing the best they can as they have no choice, so my choice should be to stay on my bike and not take the easy way out by getting off.
I know I made the right choice.
Days 3 and 4
On the third day of the ride, we started the morning leaving Tiberias and climbing the same hill that we came down on Sunday at about 50 miles per hour. So you can imagine how steep it was to get up it. But, somehow we did. It was a tough struggle, but now we can laugh about it. By the time we finished that hill (mountain), we rode about 39 miles. We stopped for lunch and I was feeling a bit tired and a little weak, so I gave them my bike to put on the truck and rode the bus for 10 miles until the next rest area. I missed a big hill (my bad). I slept on the bus for about 30 minutes and when we finally reached the next area I jumped off the bus energetically and got back on my bike and rode the next 20 miles to a town called Zichron Yaakov (it was one of the first modern settlements in Israel founded by the Rothschild family).
Since I got back on the bike, I was in the front behind the pace car, pumping away at the pedals. I was the first one to make it to the hotel that day. (I did have an advantage of resting).
On day four, we left Zichron Yaakov and started our ride to Tel Aviv. We rode until lunch (a nice cruising ride). Then a few of us decided the day was too nice to be on our bikes all day, so we had them take our bikes on the truck and we took a couple of cabs to Tel Aviv, went to the beach, enjoyed the ocean and had lunch (it was a perfect day). When the people found out later, they were not too happy, but we were. Hey, sometimes you need to break the rules.
Anyway, tonight they had a party in a night club for all the riders. It was amazing. They showed us videos of the ride. They gave out jackets to the people who had been riding for the past five years with them and had a live band that was great. Everyone had a blast.
Then at about 11:45 pm I was hungry, so we went out for a falafel sandwich. It was delicious. I guess what I am trying to say is that I took 1/2 of the day off and we enjoyed ourselves.
Tomorrow is day five (we will have an additional 100 riders who will join us). It will be the hardest day as we will climb to Jerusalem (about 4,000 feet up). However, it is anticipated to be the most meaningful day because we will ride up to the hospital where the children at the ALYN Hospital and their parents will be waiting to greet us with flags and party favors. It will be a great day for them. I am so touched by it that, I have tears in my eyes as I think about it.
Days 5
The bike ride today was hard. In fact, it was extremely hard. But we did it! We climbed more than 4,000 feet uphill. It was like riding up a wall.
We arrived at the ALYN Hospital at 3 pm and all the children were waiting for us with flags, there was a band and guys blowing the shofar. All the riders came in singing “Hevenu Shalom Alechem” (We bring you peace) and there were people on both sides of the street cheering us on. It was like a parade and they felt we were the heroes. But I believe most of the riders feel the true heroes are the children. They are amazing! What we did was nothing.
This week I gave all the strength in my body for these children and I feel very good right now.
