Now, more than ever, Wheels of Love 2023 relocates to Long Island

Dear Friends, 

I am so desperately sad about the current situation in Israel and the necessary cancellation of this year’s Wheels of Love ride.  I had planned for this to be an announcement about my final training rides in Jerusalem this week before heading to the Negev, but that was not meant to be. 

However, this Sunday, October 22, riders from all over the region will participate in solidarity rides to show our support for Israel and the ALYN Children’s Hospital in particular.  ALYN treats all children without regard to race or religion and especially so now, with a dramatic influx of war trauma victims.  I never thought that war trauma would take precedence over birth defects and car accidents, but here we are. 

Won’t you consider making a donation to ALYN and help provide for these innocent victims.  I’ll be on the road for 50+ miles with my dear Long Island friends and fellow ALYN riders. 

Thank you all so much for your generous support.  For those of you who have generously supported me in the past, I am especially grateful. 

Please visit:  ALYN Wheels of Love – I Love ALYN (israelgives.org)
https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/20448

Jeff Blye
Wheels of Love Rider, 2007-2023
Follow me on Facebook for photos and updates.

[Photo is of happier times in Tel Aviv.]

ALYN 2022 Wheels of Love – Day 1

Misgav to  Mishmar Hayarden, 44 miles, 4,298 ft elevation

Well, so much for a good night’s sleep.  I had way too much coffee, too late in the day and slept a mere two hours (if that).  No worries, the adrenalin will carry me today.  We had our opening ceremonies in Misgav with some speeches, lots of hugs and …um, … now much needed coffee.  Finally, after the official ribbon cutting, we were off – and in a harbinger of things to come, straight up! 

Today’s route started with a beautiful and hilly route taking us from the flat planes of Central Israel west to the Golan Heights.  Unfortunately, we also hit a bit of light rain, causing us to stop and don our rain gear.  We descended a treacherous sinewy and wet road with a 15% downgrade -yuk! We were all glad when that was over. Thankfully, the rain didn’t last long and with clearing skies, we rode down to the shores of the Kinneret (600+ ft below sea level) and then north with a loooong climb up into the mountains.

Tomorrow is supposed to be our featured Mt. Hermon challenge, but the weather is not cooperating, as it is already raining this evening.  We will probably ride in the rain, but on a bit of a detour away from the high elevations. Safety first! 

Please enjoy these pictures from ALYN Day 1.  It is so good to be back in Israel after three years of waiting. 

Special note: We are honored to have Leah Goldstein on the ride.  Leah won the 2021 Race Across America finishing first OVERALL in a record 11 days, 4 hours.  When I did that ride, after 11 days, I was still in Wyoming!  

Once again, I am deeply grateful to all my generous supporters.  Won’t you please join us on this fantastic journey.  You can donate at: Jeff Blye (alynactive.org)

You can subscribe for daily email updates (and pix!) by signing up at www.jeffblye.com Follow me on Facebook or Twitter @bikerboyjeff, or contact me at:
Jeff Blye
pianoman88@optonline.net
+1 917-717-0096 cell
http://www.jeffblye.com

ALYN Wheels of Love 2022

Welcome to Israel!!

This is my 16th year on the Wheels of Love and I am so grateful to all of my generous supporters over all these years and for the changes you have helped make for the Children of ALYN. 

To find out why I ride my butt off for these kids, please see this article I wrote that was published last year in the Jerusalem Post:  How Wheels of Love is making a change for patients at ALYN Hospital.

Joanne and I self-fund all of our expenses so that every dollar you give goes directly to the hospital.  How about that!  Won’t you please support me and this special place by making a donation to the cause.  I am so deeply grateful to all my friends and supporters. Please help these amazing kids and donate here.

I will be posting updates throughout the ride and you can subscribe here for email updates. Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey!

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter @bikerboyjeff, or contact me at:
Jeff Blye
pianoman88@optonline.net
+1 917-717-0096 cell
http://www.jeffblye.com

Getting ready for the ride – checking in at ALYN; hanging out in Jerusalem; the bus ride north; and final staff checkpoint.

Won’t You Help Me Make A Child Smile Today?

Be a part of the 2019 Wheels of Love with your donation to this amazing cause.

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Dear Friends,

In a few short days, I will be leaving for Israel to make final preparations for the International Wheels of Love bike ride to raise money for the Children of ALYN Hospital. This is my 13th year doing this ride and it has helped to change my outlook on life.  ALYN helps children with birth defects, war trauma or injuries from car accidents. They are non-denominational and help all children regardless of religion.

Most importantly, Joanne and I self-fund all of our expenses for this trip so that every dollar you donate goes directly to the hospital. Each year, we see with our own eyes, the difference your generous donations make in the facilities and care for these wonderful children.

Won’t you please consider making a donation to this amazing cause by clicking here to make a donation and support this endeavor. (Or copy and paste this link: http://www.alynactive.org/particpant/jeff-blye)

You can read more about Why I Ride below.

You can sign up for updates follow me on my daily blog from Israel right here at jeffblye.com or on Facebook.

If you have already donated, todah rabah תודה רבה!  I am so deeply grateful for your support.  To all of my generous supporters – past, present and future – I thank you so very very much. 

Jeff Blye
Wheels of Love Challenge Rider
2007-2019
pianoman88@optonline.net

Why I Ride

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love riding my bike. When I am on my bike, I am free. I test my physical limits and see the world in different and often beautiful ways. My favorite time of day is just before sunrise as the sky begins to lighten and paints every shade of indigo and violet on the palette before my eyes. It is impossible to be a grouch when you watch the sun come up every morning. To be able to take one’s passion and use it to help thousands of children hoping for a brighter future, is a great joy indeed. Please help support the children of ALYN with your generous donation. To all of my friends and supporters from last year, I am so grateful for your support.

What’s in Store for 2019

The tensions in the region are ever-present and will provide a stark reminder of our “missile ride” of 2012 in the south where rockets exploded overhead and we spent nights in bomb shelters.  In the north, the military presence will be greeting us at the top of Mt. Hermon at the border with Syria, where one year we heard the Russian MIGs bombing the anti-ISIS targets.  And on the Lebanese border, next to the military bunkers, there’s always a chance the road will be blocked by a herd of goats!!

This year’s five-day ride starts in the Biriya Forest and will cover over 370  miles and 33,631 feet of vertical climbs up and down the rugged Golan Heights in the north of Israel.  Day 3 will feature a climb to the top of Mt. Hermon along the border with Syria for a vertical ascent of 9,619 feet and followed the next day by a century ride (100-miles).  Our final day ends with another climb to Jerusalem where the children of ALYN welcome us with open arms.  When they strain against their disabilities to put medals on the riders, there isn’t a dry eye in the house.

Won’t you join me this year?

You can find more details and maps here.  Click on Routes and then select the Challenge Route.