Cycling Maui for Imua Family Services

My name is Conor O'Brian. I'm an adventure cyclist, a gravel bike racer, a community builder, and a graphic designer and artist. I've had the privilege of living and working on Maui for the past two winters, where I've spent much of my time stoking excitement around cycling through working at a local bike shop (Maui Sunriders), and most of the rest of my time training for bike races and epic adventure rides.

Through my time on the island, I've come to know some of the amazing team at Imua Family Services. I helped the Imua team organize their annual cycling event - Pedal Imua - this past December, and had an opportunity to see firsthand the outstanding teamwork, passion, and energy their team had for bringing people together around a meaningful cause.

For Imua Family Services, that cause is empowering children to overcome developmental learning challenges through play-based instruction. Their vast offerings include early intervention services, autism services, an inclusion preschool, a summer camp, a dream-fulfillment program, and healthcare navigation assistance.

As someone who worked with children for multiple summers in an environment where our focus was to empower kids to overcome challenges set just outside their comfort zones, the Imua Family mission resonates deeply.

I began to think creatively about how I might be able to get more involved with the Imua Family, and I realized I had an opportunity to use my passion for cycling to create an opportunity to support this special organization.

Coming into this winter of cycling training, one of my goals has been to ride all three of the major cycling routes that draw cyclists to the island - the West Maui Loop, the East Maui Loop, and the climb to the 10,000' summit of Haleakala - in one single effort.

On Sunday, Feb 19, I will attempt that ride.

Starting at La Perouse, I will circle the entire island in a clockwise direction, finishing by spiraling up to the summit of Haleakala. In total, the ride will be just short of 200 miles, with an accumulated elevation gain of nearly 23,000'.

You can view the RideWithGPS file for the route by clicking this link.

On the day of the ride, I will share a tracking link through my Instagram account so that you track my progress. Imua Family staff will also be out on the route at pre-designated checkpoints (details to come!) to help document, share, and support the ride.

If you're a cyclist and on Maui, I encourage you to pop out and join me - for as long or as little as you'd like! While I will have to try and maintain a particular pace in order to finish the ride before sunset, I can promise that I'll be excited to see you. Even if our ride together is brief, know that your presence will have gone a long way in driving me to the finish.

If you're not a cyclist, I'd still love to see you roadside for a smile and a quick hi-five along the way!

Ultimately, I am a visitor to this beautiful island. In an effort to give back to this wonderful Maui community that has welcomed me in, I hope to use this ride to bring more awareness to the Imua Family and help them continue their selfless efforts to better the lives of the kids who call this island home.

100% of the funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will go directly to Imua Family Services. Imua Family Services will determine the best use of the funds.