דליה כותבת: 

ליאורה הגיעה לסטודיו לפני כשנתיים בעקבות פריצת דיסק ועם כאבי גב עזים. 
עם הרבה נחישות, השקעה ורצינות באימונים האישיים של פילאטיס ואופניים , היא שיקמה עצמה לחלוטין.
כך לראשונה "גילתה" את עולם האופניים, רכשה זוג חדש ולמדה לרכוב ממש מקצועי, "גילוי האופניים" הפך במהרה לתחביב ואף לכדי תרומה לקהילה. 

ליאורה, אני גאה בך על שדרך הספורט והאופניים חיפשת ומצאת משמעות חדשה לחייך, דרך חיים שיש בה בנוסף לבריאות הרבה שמחת חיים ומשמעות חדשה. 
זאת גם הסיבה שחיפשתי עבורך מסע אופניים של חמישה ימים ולא מרוץ של יום.
מסע האופניים הוא "חיים בקפסולה", יש בו ירידות ועליות, קור וחום,קשה וקל,רגעים שבהם אתה מייחל שזה יגמר מיד ורגעים שאתה רוצה שזה יימשך לעולם.
גאה שהשגת תרומות בסה"כ 10,000 ש"ח לבית החולים לילדים אלי"ן,
אוהבת ומעריכה אותך, המאמנת שלך.

 

ליאורה כותבת: 

 

Last week I took part in a 5 day biking trek from Arad to Jerusalem to raise money for the Alyn rehabilitation children’s hospital.  It’s hard to describe the feeling of pride and achievement when I finally reached the hospital, together with about 700 other Alyn riders, after cycling  about 350 kms over some very hilly terrain.
But my journey did not just begin last week.  It didn’t even begin 4 months ago when I decided to take part in this event and begun training for it.  It really began almost two years ago when I first decided to pay my body some much needed attention.  I had slipped a disc about a year earlier and had been suffering since then with back and leg pains.  I ignored the pain for as long as I could, thinking it would just go away by itself.  Eventually someone recommended I try pilates – with the view to strengthening my core muscles so as to take the weight off my back.  And that’s how I came to Dalia.
We started slowly, doing Pilates in the studio and going for brisk walks.  After a few weeks, Dalia recommended we go for a bike ride.  I borrowed one of her bikes and we set off around Maccabim.  From that moment I was hooked.  I loved the feeling of freedom the bike gave, of being outdoors and active (without too much effort) and of getting to know the hills around Maccabim/Modiin.  Eventually, I bought my own bicycle and started riding on my own.
A friend of mine has been taking part in the Alyn bike trek for a number of years and each year she asks me if I would like to join.  Each year I look at her disbelievingly and laugh.  When she spoke to me about it a few months ago however, it didn’t seem that impossible.  I spoke about the idea with Dalia and we decided it was within my reach.
We worked out a training schedule, each week increasing the number of kilometers that I ride so that eventually I was cycling about 100 - 150 kms in a week.  Dalia taught me about the miracles of energy gels and electrolyte drinks and even coaxed me into buying clips.  As the training rides increased in length,  I had to get up earlier and earlier in the mornings to avoid the heat ( and also to leave myself enough time to work as well).  I started to enjoy the early hours of the day, the quiet and the peace of being outside whilst most other people were stirring in their beds.
The Friday before the start of the ride, all the riders had to come to Alyn to bring in their bikes for transportation to Arad.  I was amazed at the organization of the event and started to feel very excited to be part of something so big and worthwhile.
The ride itself was a challenge.  On the first day, we were subjected to gale force winds being chased by tumbleweed and sandstorms.  The second day I experienced a desert storm.  It was amazing to be riding through the Negev seeing at least 5 rainbows and large puddles of water.  The weather calmed down for the last few days, but the political climate heated up.  Our last night in Be’er Sheva was particularly memorable, getting up throughout the night during the sirens.
Early the next morning we were bused to Bet Shemesh and began our climb into Jerusalem.  After getting very little sleep and having ridden at least 300 kms over the last few days it was pretty grueling.  Its amazing what adrenaline (and a couple of those energy gels) will do, but I made it up those hills through Ein Karem and to Malha by about 1 p.m.  After lunch, there was a 20 km ride throughout the streets of Jerusalem in celebration of the barmitsva year of the ride.  It was an impressive sight to see – a sea of riders all in our yellow Alyn t shirts being waved on by the people of Jerusalem.
I had a great time and more importantly I came home feeling fit and well.  Also, I personally raised over 4000 USD for the cause and was very proud of my achievement.
Thanks Dalia for all your encouragement, hard work and advice. 

I couldn’t have done it without you.