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MS Bike Ride 2009 (Oct 4, 2009) Wow!! Take a look at the fun we had at last year's MS Bike Ride. The North Shore Wheelmen were joined by many new friends in support of this fantastic cause. It's not too late to sign up for this Sunday's ride (Oct 3). Come join us!!!! Jeff Blye Team Captain pianoman88@optonline.net Album was created 1 year 8 months ago and modified 1 year 8 months ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 83 files view album | view roll

Montauk Century 2010 - 145 mile version (May 16, 2010) We're back again doing the lunatic 145 mile ride from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan, out to the tip of Long Island's south fork in Montauk. 145 miles (yes you read that right!) This year's ride was a father-son moment, with my son Matt doing a personal best - and loving every minute of it. The old man did his best to keep up. Please enjoy these pix. ...Jeff Blye Album was created 2 years ago and modified 2 years ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 33 files view album | view roll

Day 5 - Modi'in to Jerusalem and the Celebration The final day started with a bus ride to Modi'in, where the 450 riders were joined by over 200 Israelis who would ride with us on this final day, called Galgalyn. All told, there were over 700 participants in this year's Wheels of Love. Amazing!! I am feeling much much better and thrilled to have made it to the final day. Having said that, the last climb to Jersualem was tough. It just went on forever - switchback after switchback. But the scenery just kept getting better and better, and the tall cedar trees marked the beginning of the end. At our last pit stop high on a cliff, only 7 km from the finish, the entire contingent of on-road, off-road, touring, and day-riders all basked in the sun and took lots of pictures. We looked across a magnificent, deep valley and knew that we had to go down and back up to get to ALYN. I bought my last Americano from a Coffee Shop at the top of the mountain - and got a 10-punch coffee club card to boot. (Only eight more cups, and my ninth one is free! :) The final few km's are absolutely gut wrenchingly brutal (see photos), but once you're done, you get to coast past the cheering crowds and into the hospital where we are greeted warmly by the children. No matter how much I'm prepared for this moment, I always break down here. The children are clapping and singing and reaching out to thank us form their wheelchairs, or standing on crutches. They hand us medals. They know full well how connected they are to this annual event and drawings with bicycle themes are hung all over the hospital walls. I see my friends from last year, accept their medals, and take what is now the traditional picture where they wear my sunglasses. Just when I'm tearing up to the max, someone shoves a video camera in my face and asks me if I have anything to say. Well, ...uh, ... maybe not right now. = = = It's now a few days later. I have licked my wounds, have relaxed on the Tel Aviv beach and can say this: - To all of you who have supported this effort, know that your donations have gone directly to the hospital to support amazing care for these amazing children. They love you for it. I love you for it and am eternally grateful. I will have more to say to you by way of gratitude, upon my return to the USA. For now, with warmest and fondest regards, Jeff Blye pianoman88@optonline.net 646-642-4211 cell Album was created 2 years 7 months ago and modified 2 years 7 months ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 111 files view album | view roll

Day 4 - Ein Gev to Mt. Gilboa What's that big yellow thing up there? Why, it's the SUN!!! Finally. The weather system was gone and we had nothing but warm sunny skies for the rest of the ride. Unfortunately, I am sick as a dog and running a fever. Speaking of running, I needed some chemical assistance from the ride's medic and she gave me a pill appropriately named "StopIt!" I guess, cutesy names don't work in the states, but over here, there was no mistaking what the purpose was. Normally, I avoid taking pills of any kind - other than maybe Tylenol - but that put me in a distinct minority on this ride where the motto could have been, "Better living through modern chemistry." Ambiens were like raisins. Zanax (no names, please.) Flomax, too. (Kidding - I just threw that in for a cheap laugh.) I decide to skip the first climb and give the body a much needed break. A walk on the beach along the Sea of Galilee (the Knerret) was heaven. At 10am, I joined the tired Challenge group who came down from the 1800 foot climb along the Jordan border looking like tired racehorses. We then had a very nice flat stretch before hitting the steep climb up Mt. Gilboa. I was really struggling at this point. I made it about half-way up, and that included at least two miles where I walked. As determined as I was to make it all the way, I just could not. I was groggy from the fever. My legs were like rubber. I got on the bus, went to the back and fell asleep instantly. At the top, Joanne woke me up. I got out, got back on the bike and finally enjoyed a most magnificent downhill. At the end, we took an hour bus ride to Shafayim along the coast. That evening, I could not stay warm and shivered throughout dinner. I ate a small bowl of soup, a piece of chicken and some rice. There was a big party and celebration, but we took a taxi back to the hotel and went to bed early. I needed to be much better for the final climb to Jerusalem. Album was created 2 years 7 months ago and modified 2 years 7 months ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 50 files view album | view roll

Day 3 - Kfar GIladi to Ein Gev Another tough tough day - over 80 miles including the brutal climb up Mt. Hermon. That's brutal without the weather. As it was, the thunder and lighting were gone, but we still had rain. By this point, we just wanted to ride. So, with rain gear on, and shower caps over our helmets - and with some stylish riders putting shower caps over their shoes - we set out in the gloom. The beginning of the 20-mile climb took us up the Ajar Security road, along the Lebanon border, with barbed wire on both sides of the road - do NOT wander off - and "Danger: Minefield" signs everywhere. Just keep going straight up and you'll be ok. The weather turned bleak and rainy and cold and misty and foggy and there was almost zero visbility. ("Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?") After 10 miles of tough climbing, we took a break at a ski lodge. (Yes, you read that right.) We were all frozen. I had bonked in the last few miles and was in a lot of pain. I changed into a dry set of clothes and tried desparately to warm up. At one point, I went to the bathroom, ran a sinkful of hot water and just stood there with my arms soaking in the bowl for 15 minutes. After some energy and recovery drinks, I felt better. Because of the unsafe road conditions, the army closed the road the rest of the way up. I honestly cannot say I was disappointed. But when we continued, it was wet, wet, foggy, misty and the roads were pretty washed out with gravel and debris. Again, another unenjoyable descent. What a waste of perfectly good gravity. In the afternoon, the sun came out, but so did the wind. We rode most of the afternoon along a very nice stretch of road, but into a brutal headwind. We passed wind turbine fields (hint, hint) and the turbines were very happy. But we weren't. I got sick. Started running a fever and other assorted ills, and was not feeling very confident. My legs were like rubber and after 30 miles of headwind, I was toast. I was praying we were near the end of the ride. When I heard we had another 12 miles to go, all the air went out of my sails. I got on the sweep bus for the final leg - knowing in my gut, it was the right thing to do. Sad, because a lot of it was a nice downhill to Ein Gev. Oh well. That evening, we were treated to a talk by a local Golan resident who gave us his unique persepctive on life in the region. Very insightful, entertaining and educational. Album was created 2 years 7 months ago and modified 2 years 7 months ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 56 files view album | view roll

Day 2 - Kfar Giladi - Washout With a miserable Day 1 behind us, the weather forecast for Day 2 was even worse. All during the evening, the big honchos met to decide what to do. Never in the 10 years of the Wheels of Love has weather played a part like this. But the forecast was for heavy rain throughout the day, coupled with thunder and lightning and strong winds. This is not the weather to go out and 80+ miles with more mountains. (If nothing else, I am educable.) As much as we all wanted to ride, when we woke up in the morning, we knew it was not meant to be. As Cathy Lanyard, Executive Director, American Friends of ALYN put it eloquently, "we are here to help disabled children, not create disabled adults." And so, with Team Great Neck and some of our new friends from the other routes, we hired a van and did some sightseeing - to the artist's village of Safed, with its quaint shops, candle factory and old synagogues. (Shopping, by the way, is my least favorite activity!). We then got back in the van and plodded though more rain soaked roads to visit a local winery and take a tour. Because we are tough Challeng riders, we did not one - but two winery tours. I was plastered (not much of a drinker, frankly.) For the record, we saw the Rimon Winery, where they specialize in Pomegranate wines, and then the Galil Winery where, ... it all started looking the same to me. Of note, Galil was right on the border with Lebanon. Please enjoy the pictures of the weather (only a small sample) just to prove that we did not take this decision lightly. After dinner, we were treated to the annual presentation by Brenda Hirsch, Director of ALYN and a reminder of the special work the hospital does on behalf of the children, In the middle of everything, the power went out in the entire village due the storm. Everyone kept their cool and started singing Israeli songs untill we found enough flashlights to continue with the talk (albeit, without the powerpoint slides!) Very moving. Album was created 2 years 7 months ago and modified 2 years 7 months ago No comments 1 views 1 visitors 60 files view album | view roll

Day 1 - Rosh Pinna to Kfar Giladi The opening day of the ride is finally here. After all the planning and logistics, we finally get underway. The weather started sunny, but we knew this wasn't going to last - and the forecast was for three days of very very bad weather. At least it was beautiful for the bus ride to the opening ceremonies - and the traditional singing of Hatikva and the blessing for a safe ride. There was no doubt we were on the Challenge ride as the route started out with a monster seven-mile climb right out of the parking lot. (If you wanted a warmup, you had to make do with the .04 miles it took to exit the lot.) At the top 1/3 of the climb, the skies opened up and we got hammered. It let up enough at the summit for us to put on our rain gear, stored in the lead car. Some folks bailed and got on the bus for the descent, but not me (because I'm not too bright.) No sooner did I - and a handful of other meshugenas - start out, than it started coming down again, even heavier than before. Rain wasn't enough though - we actually got hail. The descent was steep and treacherous. The road was bad, wet and washed out with gravel and debris. I practically wore out my brake pads trying to stay in control the entire way down. At one point, I wondered if I had accidentally joined the off-road riders. I arrived at the bottom for a pit stop, frozen to the bone and it took two hot cups of cappuccino to shake it off. Changed into dry long-fingered winter gloves (honestly never thought I would need them, but glad I threw them in the day bag.) Even with a somewhat shortened route, these were 50 of some of most miserable miles I have ever ridden. Album was created 2 years 7 months ago and modified 2 years 7 months ago No comments 0 views 0 visitors 54 files view album | view roll