Banquets for Bikers

With pomp and ceremony, the ribbon is cut. And they’re off! 

This August 14th and 15th, over 600 intrepid men will ride the two-day, 180-mile Bike4Chai route from the starting line (this year, in Princeton, N.J.) to Camp Simcha in Glen Spey, N.Y. Borne on wings of camaraderie and altruism, clothed in their navy and chartreuse Bike4Chai jerseys, they’ll trace a grueling path across country roads until they arrive triumphantly at the finish line. At Camp Simcha, friends, family, campers, and staff come out joyously to greet them like the heroes they are. “Bike4Chai is Chai Lifeline’s single biggest fundraiser,” says Rabbi Yoel Margolese, Bike4Chai’s director. “Last year, we raised close to $10 million, and this year, we hope to break the 10 million mark.” For him, Bike4Chai and its sister ride, Tour de Simcha [see sidebar] are a year-long effort that involve getting sponsors, staying in touch with participants, volunteers and donors, managing publicity, and mapping the routes and making sure they’re well-marked, safe, and free of debris. Bike4Chai began in 2009, when cyclist Dovid Eggert got himself some sponsors and biked from Lakewood to Camp Simcha, raising $10,000. The following year, 40 people rode, and the event has simply taken off from there. Bike4Chai expects 600 bikers this year, plus a support staff of 300 to help with everything from registration and luggage to rest stops and road crews.

Many of the cyclists ride in teams, either corporate sponsored or simply groups of friends. Other teams ride in memory of a loved one or as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Simchy Goldstein, an EMS lieutenant for the FDNY, has participated in the ride for nine out of its ten years. He got involved when a friend challenged him to try it. “I didn’t even own a bike then,” he relates. “My friend lent me the bike in his garage. I didn’t even train the first time — I had no idea what I was getting myself into!” Although he describes himself as more of a foodie than a cyclist, he got hooked. The camaraderie and high spirits kept him going, and the smiles of the campers made every aching muscle worthwhile. His team has so far raised over $100,000 for Camp Simcha.

Yanky Engelberg, a physical therapist in Brooklyn, heard about Bike4Chai when he treated some patients for back and knee pain before and after the ride. He was eventually hired to work with cyclists on the evening between the two days of riding, helping them keep loose and limber, and became inspired to try it himself. “I hadn’t thought of cycling as something I’d do long-term. I had to borrow a bike,” he says. “But I found I enjoyed it! It’s not a race; it’s more about the people and enjoying the ride.” He’d met Ralph Herzka of Meridian Capital through a professional connection and joined Meridian’s team of cyclists. What would encourage someone to push their capabilities to such a strong extent? Some bikers were previously involved with Camp Simcha and/or Camp Lifeline. They’ve seen what these organizations do, and they’re more than willing to bike for the cause. Others have friends who’ve pulled them in, sharing that heady sense of accomplishment. The conjunction of a high-endurance sports event with Jewish organizing means lots and lots of food. “We sometimes call it Eat4Chai,” jokes Rabbi Margolese. “It’s an endurance event, and the cyclists need hydration and energy.”