Enduro or Trail?
This year we will try and have an "open ride." We will have pit stops and lunch breaks, but how long you take a break from riding is up to you. The trails will be clearly marked and we will have supporting staff, mechanics, and medics throughout the courses.
The difference between Enduro and Trail is based on speed and distance. Any rider who reaches a late afternoon cut-off point can continue on the "Enduro Extension."
Of course even strong riders who prefer to skip the most technical riding can stay with the Trail group.
Every off-road rider should be comfortable handling a bike on single track with climbs and descents. It may help to have wide tyres and keep your pressure a little lower than normal since this helps in loose rocks and also sandy sections.
Day One:
Neot Smadar to Ketura
Enduro: 53 KM/33 miles | 882 meters/2,894 ft. climbing
Trail: 40 KM/25 Miles | 488 meters/1,601 ft. climbing
The ride begins with everyone riding together through the desert along the mountain ridges above Yael. We descend on the Yahel Single Track, a thrilling rocky descent to the desert plain. After a morning stop at Yahel, we continue on the Yahel-Timna single. The route is loaded with steep, short climbs, switchbacks, and narrow descents. We have another stop before crossing route #40 where a sumptuous lunch will be laid out for us. Those riders ready to continue by 14:30 can cross the road but beware: The Descent of teh Dragon is a long, very steep, technical thrill ride. If this is not your cup of tea, a bus will be ready to take everyone else back to the hotel.
Day Two:
Ketura to Park Timna
Everyone begins where Enduro left off, at Ketura. The route is just as beatifull as the day before. Those who reach the entrance of Park Timna by 14:30 can continue on the famous Park Timna "Mines" single track. Everyone else can ride the "Copper" Single, lots of riding but without the extreme technical challenges. We all finish together at Timna Lake for much deserved beers!
Day Three:
Avdat and Yeruham - Two of the best desert singles
Everyone begins together after a bus ride in Ein Avdat. We ride the Israel National Bike Trail segment to Medreshet Ben Gurion by Sde Boker. The morning stop is perched on a magnificent lookout of the Zin Moutains, steps from the memorial to David and Paul Ben Gurion. The first 25-23 riders reads to go will take a 20 minute bus shuttle to the Yeruham Single. They will ride the entire single. Those riders coming in later will take the second bus and also do the Yeruham single, but will cut off an 8 km loop. Everyone finishes at Park Yeruham by the lake.
Day Four
Yar Kidoshim to ALYN Hospital
After a very short bus ride from Neve Ilan to Yar Kedoshim, we start the day riding along Nahal Keysolon. There is a gradual climb as we make our way in the deep valley, surrounded by the remnants of last year's huge forest fire. We leave the valley and ride a segment of the twisty single Ein Rafa. Those who opt for the shorter Trail ride will jing after the Rafa climb. (Same as last year's start.)
After Kibbutz Tzuba, we descend along the exhilarating Ain Tayasin descent. Again, the views are AMONG THE BEST in Israel (IMHO).
After the descent, we cross under the highway and ride through the shaded forest of Park Begin until we hit the traditional climb up to Yad Kennedy.
The 2026 ALYN Wheels of Love ride wraps up at ALYN Hospital where we will be greeted by the children who benefit from the ride.