Cycling rabbi goes the distance on fast day
KINGSTON SYNAGOGUE’S minister is saddle sore but satisfied after cycling 100 miles to raise more than £3,000 which will be split between Jewish Care and mental health charity Jami.
Rabbi Samuel Landau completed the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 in a shade over five hours. The time wouldhavebeenevenbetterhadhenot crashed half-an-hour into the event.
“I was with a very fast group who were shifting to the other side of the road to over take,” he explained. “Because we were two abreast, there wasn’t enough room to clear the raised kerb.
“So I hit the kerb, went down and someone drove over me. The handlebars were a bit messed up and I had some scratches and bruises. But I got up and carried on.”
Rabbi Landau, 28, cycled 20 miles with a damaged bike before he could find a mechanic to fix it. “I wanted to power through and finish after that, which I did. But I didn’t get the time I’d hoped for, so I’ll have to do it next year.”
He was introduced to long-distance cycling last year by the chair of his south London shul, Dr Martin Wolfson, who completed Sunday’s event on behalf of World Jewish Relief.
“We used to conduct meetings on our bikes in Richmond Park,” Rabbi Landau said. “I knew how to ride a bike but nowhere near this level. Since then I’ve become faster and more about it. I cycle really early in the morning, before my daughter Yiska wakes up, and do about 150 miles per week.
“In terms of mental health, it’s a very stabilising activity.”
Also riding for Jewish Care were Chigwell-based Rod Epstein and Richard Pearlman, who respectively raised £1,000 and £4,500.
Miles Allen, Mendy Freundlich, Shloime Kaufman, Johnny Marks, David Nathan, Abe Rosenfeld, Joel Sager, Alex Schajer, Simon Selouk and Moishe Vogel rode for learning disability charity Kisharon, raising a combined £8,000-plus. Kisharon CEO Dr B e v e r l e y J a c o b s o n a n d h e r h u s b a n d A l a n a l s o took part.
Mr Allen was the fastest finisher in 4:26. “It was exhilarating and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “This was my first time riding for Kisharon. I entered on a previous year but got three punctures and couldn’t finish. This time I set off early and I was very pleased with my time.”
Cyclists Martin Wolfson and Dan R i c k man r a i s e d more than £2,000 for World Je wish Rel ief a nd Si mon Rosenblatt did the event for Norwood.
Ihitthekerb, wentdown andsomeone droveover me’