Tour de Simcha: 100-mile bicycle ride for sick children raises more than $1M

Portnoy Worenklein, 48, rides a recumbent tricycle.​

Tour de Simcha: 100-mile bicycle ride for sick children raises more than $1M The Journal News | LoHud.com

New York, NY - When Libby Akerman, Leah Portnoy Worenklein and Perel Lichter cross the finish line Tuesday afternoon, it will be a joyous occasion.

The three will be among about 160 women participating in the Tour de Simcha, a bicycle fundraiser that runs for 100 miles between Woodbridge, New Jersey, and Camp Simcha in Sullivan County.

Camp Simcha (the Hebrew word for joy) is the flagship program for Chai Lifeline, a nonprofit organization that helps sick children. The summer camp has boys and girls' sections for cancer and for other chronic illnesses or disabilities.

Worenklein, 48, of White Plains, rides a recumbent Tricycle. For years she was immobilized by multiple sclerosis, but the low-riding tricycle returned her freedom, she said.

"I spent 11 or 12 years kind of stuck in bed," Worenklein said. "I know what it means to be isolated. And to go through that as a kid. That is hard."

She said it was overwhelming to have a child battling chronic illness or disabilities on hand to present medals to the riders as ...

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