It's not (just) about the Bike
One of the most unforgettable moments from last year’s ride didn’t involve bikes—it was our Solidarity Day trip the day before the ride began.
We visited sites devastated on October 7, stood together in grief and reflection, and ended the day with hope—supporting a small bike shop in Kibbutz Be’eri, a symbol of rebuilding and resilience.
This year, we will once again begin our ride with a deeply meaningful Solidarity Day, and I believe it will be one of the most powerful moments of the entire experience.
On Sunday, November 2, buses will depart from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and head north.
TENTATIVE TIMES are Jerusalem (ALYN) 9:30, Tel Aviv (Reading Station) 10:30.
Our first stop will be Kibbutz Manara, one of the hardest-hit communities on Israel’s northern border. Most of the homes and public spaces were destroyed by Hezbollah rocket fire, and and the entire kibbutz was evacuated.
We are honored that our host for the day will be Major General (Res.) Danny Arditi, former head of Israel’s National Security Council and a career officer in the IDF’s intelligence and operations divisions. General Arditi's leadership and perspective will guide us throughout the day, giving us deeper insight into the challenges faced by these border communities—and the strength behind their recovery. He is also a bike rider and joined Wheels of Love in 2022.
From Manara, we will travel to Yiron, home of the Galil Mountain Winery. During the war, while most residents were evacuated, a handful of volunteers stayed behind to defend the kibbutz and its vineyards. Thanks to their bravery, Yiron suffered minimal damage and has become a living symbol of perseverance. Buy a bottle of wine for your biggest sponsors back home.
Our final stop will be a visit to a special bike shop owned by Dan and Yehel Alterman. Dan is the Israeli Ironman Champion for multiple years. He and Yehel are also the parents of Lavi, who was born with cerebral palsy and received years of therapy at ALYN. The Alterman family evacuated during the war but have since returned—and are eager to meet our riders and welcome us to their shop.
Participation in this trip is completely free. All we ask is that you
reserve your room at the Galilion for Sunday night. I strongly encourage you to join—it's a powerful and inspiring way to begin our week. In addition, since the ride begins in the hotel parking lot, you won't have to take a 5:00 AM bus to the start!
If you check in your bike at ALYN Thursday or Friday, we will bring it to the ride. If you rent a bike, we can bring it to the hotel. You can check in after the trip at the hotel and receive your jersey and ride kit there.