Lifestyle/Community
‘Wheels of Love’ for Jerusalem’s Alyn Hospital children
Johannesburg businessman Steven Blend is passionate about Israel; he also loves cycling. What better way to celebrate both passions than through the 15th annual Wheels of Love Ride for the Children of Jerusalem’s Alyn Hospital next month. He spoke to the SAJR about the upcoming ride and his wish to get more South African cyclists involved.
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Pictured Mark Kruger (left) and Steven Blend after Jerusalem’s 2011 Alyn challenge.
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Having ridden in 2009 and 2011, he explained how participants become a community imbibing Israel’s beautiful landscape. “Each year, the race is planned along alternating routes: I have done the central Jerusalem to North Israel twice, and will do the central Israel to South Israel this year. It goes all the way to Tel Aviv.
Mark Kruger, CEO of StopWash is joining Blend in what will be his second ride. “The idea of changing people’s lives and still testing yourself, is a win-win situation,” he said.
The paediatric rehabilitation section of the Alyn Hospital uniquely offers holistic support for the child patient and his or her family, and with a vehemently multicultural practice, it offers culturally sensitive facilities for everyone, from Ethiopians to Russians, Muslims to Haredi Jews. This cycle ride is its major fundraiser. Each year it raises upwards of $2,5million.
“Many South African cyclists choose to ride off-road,” adds Blend. “This year, the Alyn challenge has an off-road section. There are long, long days – some extending to a ride of over 160 km, but the main attraction of participation in this race is everyone is going for the cause.
“Israel’s not exactly a society where on-road cycling is viable,” he adds. “For this reason, a special effort is made by everyone, from people handling traffic directives to police escorts, to make this race work,” and work it does, with incentives for cyclists of different strengths. “There are three groups of participants at different levels, the easier ones involve touring.”
And the challenge of transporting a bicycle overseas? “El Al has made a deal to transport the bikes of Alyn participants for free.”
Two other South African cyclists join Blend and Kruger in this year’s challenge: Capri Wheelers’ Selwyn Sanders and Johannesburg businessman Steve Liptz.
Running from November 9 to 13, the Wheels of Love starts at the desert vista of Ben-Gurion’s tomb and runs through Sde Boker, Mitzpe Ramon, Eilat and the Dead Sea.
Blend believes the recent war with Gaza put people off going. “Now that the war has subsided, there is still a change to register. Approximately 600 cyclists take part in this race.”
And then, there’s the culmination of the ride: “On the fifth day,” says a media statement, “all riders cycle up to Jerusalem for an emotional ending ceremony. Alyn’s children give each rider a medal, acknowledging their effort throughout the ride’s five days.
* There’s time to decide to participate: Blend may be contacted on 082-445-3528 or steven@blend.co.za; the ride’s URL is www.alynride.org.