ALYN Wheels of Love 2011 Rene's Blog

profile challenge day four

Tremendous time today.  The profile, as indicated above, was difficult.  Overall, Rosenberg, affectionately called “Rosy,” continued to stamp his authority all over WOL; however, as Floyd Mayweather told “Vicious” Ortiz, “you must be prepared at all times.”

The day started with the climb up the Tefen.  Rosy and I were away early but I, unfortunately, flatted.  The flat took forever to fix because of the new tubeless wheels;  Rabbi B stopped and helped me until one of the mechanics came and fixed it.  By the time we got going the entire field had passed us;  Rabbi B and I decided to stay together up the climb and by the time we made it to the first Pit Stop we had passed over 40 of the 50 Challenge riders.  Uncorroborated reports tell me that Rosy was the first over the Tefen uncontested.

After the first Pit Stop, Rabbi B attacked and the two of us built about a minute lead before we started climbing the Segev.  The only chance to go over the Segev before Rosy was with, at least, a 2 minute lead;  but I gave it everything I had even though I only had a minute or so.  Fortunately for me, Rosy was delayed by a stop light, of all things, and I was able to crest the top alone.  Avi Lozowick led a furious chase of 4 guys that eventually caught me on the run into the Lunch stop.

On the last climb of the day, the Karmel, Rosy and I started with the entire Challenge group at the bottom of the short climb.  Rosy went away early up the Karmel and I followed briefly.  Rosy just rode away to the top by himself, I was a few minutes behind at the top and also by myself.  I was able to catch Rosy on the downhill run into Nachsholim on the Mediterranean coast.

Behind us a chase group of Erez Cohen, the Challenge group leader, Avi Lozowick, Rabbi B and one of the strong South Africans had formed.  They attacked each other.  Avi Lozowick took the sprint finishing third while Rabbi B came in 4th.

Notable notes:  The support staff of mechanics, the paramedical personnel and the travel agency handling the hotel arrangements have been great.  An example:  Rabbi B received an acupuncture treatment for intense knee pain at one of the Pit Stops that reportedly allowed him to continue.  A barbecue dinner was held on the beach tonight followed by a short award ceremony.  The weather was a bit chilly but the atmosphere was warm and embracing.  The police were honored for fantastic car control especially through the major intersections.   Board members and loyal riders were recognized with 5 and 10 year jackets.  Once again, Erez Cohen reminded all of Avi Katz’ amazing determination and spirit;  Avi has finished in the top half of almost every day’s ride and on Day Two, Avi was one of only 15 riders to ride up the final slopes of the Hermon before the cutoff time.

Rabbi Bronsteyn, Erez Cohen and Rene

Rene on the beach in Nachsholim

profile day three

Another great day.  Once again Steve Rosenberg dominated the climbs and should be officially “crowned” King of the Mountains as well as the Yellow Jersey wearer (i.e. if we actually awarded such jerseys).  However, a new Green Jersey (sprint champion) has emerged.

The day started cool and crisp as we left Tel Hai and headed toward the Mediterranean coastal town of Nahariya skirting the border with Lebanon.  Over 5,000 ft of climbing on tap including the climb up Mt. Meron.

The climbing started almost immediately on leaving the hotel.  “Rosy” dominated the initial climb followed by Avi Lozowick and me.  After the regroup, my plan was for Rabbi B to take me to the bottom of Mt. Meron with at least a 2 minute lead on Rosy but to no avail.  Rosy was vigilant at or near the front.  Consequently, it was basically no contest up the Meron as Rosy was at the top many minutes before everybody else.  I was second followed by Moki Schwartz.  Lozowick evidently decided to take it easy and not contest.  Lozowick is the 2007 National Road and Time Trial Champion of Israel.

After lunch, we headed toward Nahariya.  Bronsteyn led all the way by himself on a flyer but then Rosy decided enough was enough and with his climbing strength and the short (less than 3 km) hills he caught Bronsteyn.  Bronsteyn, however, reportedly beat Rosy at the sprint to the “Pit Stop” and, theoretically, gain the green jersey.  The day was essentially over with a short and easy ride, via bus transfer, into the town of Nahariya.

Notable notes:  Erez Cohen, the Challenge group ride leader and former Israel Triathlon Champion (I am told), told Avi Katz he is the “spirit of the ride” as Avi inspires riders of all abilities by his determination.

After dinner at the hotel in Nahariya, Avi Katz and I co-sponsored a wine reception and made a l’chaim and said mazel tov to Rabbi Bronsteyn on the occasion of his birthday for all the Challenge riders.

Avi Lozowick, National Champion Road and Time Trial Israel 2007

Rene and Rabbi Bronsteyn

profile day two - Mt. Hermon

A magical time on the second day of WOL 2011.  The day’s profile is as above.

Steve Rosenberg again showed his world class form finishing at the top of the Hermon 8 minutes ahead of Avi Lozowick and 26 minutes in front of me.  The rest of the field trickled in over the next hour and a half.

After dinner at our destination of Tel Hai, Saul Singer, author of Start-up Nation and fellow Challenge Rider, spoke about the genesis of the book followed by a Q&A.

My camera failed to take pics today – disappointing as the scenery up the Hermon is striking.

Word to Michael Muss and the Cycos – Rosy is superstrong and basically unstoppable.

We’ll see how it goes tomorrow as we cross northern Israel and go up Mt. Meron.  I am told over 5,000 ft of climbing.

Today’s profile was just an appetizer.  Nevertheless, the day’s ride was extremely challenging and fulfilling.

The opening ceremony, where a total of almost 400 riders were participating in the 11th Annual ALYN Wheels of Love International Charity Bike Ride, was inspirational as over a couple of hundred school children as well as some ALYN hospital patients attended and all sang Ha Tikvah.

Fifty Challenge riders took off from Beit She’an to Ashdod Yakov with two big climbs in between, Mt. Gilboa and the Bilvoir Fortress.

The first 10 km was essentially a parade and then came the climb up the Gilboa.  Steve Rosenberg showed his class as he took control at the bottom of the climb in his usual big ring style and shed everyone.  I hung on to Rosy’s wheel and even put in an attack which he answered convincingly with an attack of his own to put me away.  Rosy finished at the top with about 2 minutes on me with Avi Lozowick, a 23 year-old who has just completed his Army service, another 30 seconds behind.  The main field came in another few minutes later.  R. Bronsteyn was just behind the remnants of the main field and Avi Katz finished  a respectable 30th or so out of the 50 riders in the Challenge group to the top of the Gilboa.

In between the Gilboa and the Fortress was almost 20 km.  R. Bronsteyn attacked and eventually Mark Kruger, a strong South African, and I followed.  We worked well together and built up a lead of a few minutes on the main field.  We hit the climb up to the Fortress together and I attacked.  Unfortunately, Kruger slipped out of his pedal.  R. Bronsteyn encouraged me to go on as I knew Rosy would eventually be coming.  We must have started the climb with about a 2 minute lead on the field.  I pegged my heart rate at 183 almost the whole climb up which was 6 km at 10-11%.  I never looked back and, luckily, I was able to hold it as I eventually saw Rosy finish about 20 seconds behind me at the top.  R. Bronsteyn finished third as he also was able to hold off the furious chase by the field which included the South Africans and Joel Morganstern.  Avi Katz took it easy up the hill as he was saving energy for tomorrow’s ride up the Hermon.

Kudos to Itai, the 14 year old former ALYN patient where he was rehabilitated after treatment for a brain tumor, who hung in there and did a respectable job.  Itai is being coached by Erez Cohen, former Israeli Triathlon champion and ride leader for the Challenge group.  Erez stayed with Itai during much of today’s ride.

Opening Ceremony in Beit She'an

Rosy and Rene at the top of the Gilboa

Rene at the top of the Bilvoir Fortress

Rene and Rabbi Bronsteyn at the top of the Fortress

Avi before the start at the opening ceremony

Day Two's challenging profile

Until tomorrow…

Just arrived in Beit She’an with Reb Yakov and Avi in a taxi from Jerusalem.  We anxiously await the rest of the riders to get here on buses from Jerusalem tonight and tomorrow.

A quick snack from the restaurant at the hostel we are staying at tonight …

then the party starts tomorrow morning.  Not sure what is on tap for the course tomorrow, but, I am told we climb the Gilboa after 10 km of flats  … a nice first test … then we keep going up.  We will see how it goes.

Laila Tov