Cyclists from around the world, Canada included are headed to Israel for the 10th annual Wheels of Love International Bike Ride on November 1. The ride is a charity fundraiser for the Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem, a rehabilitation centre for children and adults with orthopaedic disabilities.
Marcel Zielinski, a Cote St. Luc resident, and Gerald Wiviott, another Jewish Montrealer, are two Canadians making the trek to the Holy Land, according to an article in the Canadian Jewish News. Zielinski will join his son Bezalel, 51, who lives in Rishon Lezion. Marcel hopes to raise $4,000 for the hospital. The retired structural engineer at Bombardier lived and worked in Israel between 1958 and 1967, when he was employed by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Wiviott, 68, is a psychiatrist who decided only a month ago to join this ride. Previously, he fenced competitively in Israel at the 1973 and 1977 Maccabiah Games.
The 500-kilometer ride ascends more than 11,600 metres over five days on a route that runs parallel to the Israel Lebanese border. It sounds gruelling but inspiring. Still, I think I’ll stick to my smaller ride to the corner store and back.
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