The Next Ride

Woodmere man bicycles in Africa for a purpose

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For Woodmere native Jonah Adelsberg, bicycling is more than a hobby.

He had participated in the NYC 2021 marathon on Team Lifeline for Chai Lifeline, raising money for children fighting cancer and chronic illnesses. This year, Adelsberg chose to fundraise for The Next Step, an organization that supports children and adults suffering from limb-loss.

In a recent conversation with his friend David Farhi, managing director of The Next Step explained how the organization provides prosthetics and prosthetic guidance, mental and physical therapies, sports programs, community initiatives, and lobbying/advocacy for the Israeli amputee community.

When Adelsberg learned about The Next Ride, their event in Nairobi, Kenya, that begins on Feb. 24, he knew he had to get involved.

Cycling over 200 miles for three days through the mountains of Kenya to raise funds for those in need felt like a meaningful way to contribute — and an incredible opportunity to visit Africa, a place he’s always dreamed of exploring.

While this is Adelsberg’s first biking fundraiser, he hopes that through his participation in this event he will be able to help others make their lives a little easier to navigate.

Adelsberg knows a thing or two about navigating a challenge.

He recalls that when he had cancer as a child, there was a boy in the hospital bed next to him eating popcorn with his hands for the last time before undergoing a double-arm amputation the next day. Because of Adelsberg’s chemotherapy, the smell of the popcorn made him extremely nauseous. He wanted to ask the boy to stop, but even at 8 years old, he understood that he had to suck it up.

That moment taught Adelsberg a powerful lesson — no matter how hard things may seem, someone else may be going through something even more difficult. That memory has stayed with him, shaping his perspective and empathy.

To prepare for his 200 mile spin, he exercises in the gym Monday through Friday, doing general cardio and weight training, understanding that the ride will be something he’s definitely not used to. He’s been focusing much more on lower-body workouts, endurance exercises like swimming, incorporating yoga into his daily routine, and getting advice from anyone he can along the way — including on YouTube and in Reddit groups.

For the New York City Marathon in 2021, his goal wasn’t to achieve a specific time but simply to complete the 26.2 miles and prove to himself that he could do it. This ride presents a different kind of challenge. With three consecutive days of 50+ miles and a 2000-foot vertical climb, it’s a much more sustained physical and mental effort.

Living on Long Island, the lack of mountains makes conditions difficult to simulate, so he’s been trying to replicate the event by biking for one to two hours three days in a row. As he always says, “I’ll figure it out.”

Professionally, Adelsberg is the creative director of business development at a music production agency called UFO, where they produce commercials for pro-audio and lifestyle brands. He is fortunate to have a flexible schedule, which allows him to fit in proper training days.

He wants to prove to himself and others that bold, “crazy” ideas only seem crazy if you don’t act on them. If you commit to a vision, everything else tends to fall into place. And honestly, he’d love the chance to pet an elephant!

As for what’s next, he’s not entirely sure yet, but completing a triathlon has always been on his bucket list. This ride feels like a step in that direction, and he’s excited to see where it leads him.

Around 4,600 people have been beneficiaries of The Next Step’s programs. To make a donation to The Next Ride, visit thenextride.org/jonahadelsberg

Nechama Bluth is associate for The Jewish Star. To reach her, write: nbluth@TheJewishStar.com