Contribute to Conor’s Go-Fund-Me campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Pedaling-Maui-for-Imua-Family-Services
For many locals and tourists alike, a trip to Hana is a full day’s journey, but for adventure cyclist Conor O’Brian, it will be just one short leg on a single-day trek around the entire island. On Sunday, February 19, Conor will undertake the nearly 200-mile expedition in support of Imua Family Services. The non-profit’s mission of helping children and families reach their full potential resonates deeply with Conor, who has spent multiple summers focusing on empowering kids to overcome challenges.
While much of his year is spent bouncing around the country in search of epic rides, Conor’s recent winters have been spent on Maui, where he plies his bicycle expertise and graphic design training as an employee at local bike shop Maui Sunriders. Conor shares, “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-foot summit of Haleakala – in one single effort.” This undertaking opened up an opportunity for Conor to use his passion for cycling to support the children and families of Imua Family Services, who he first met through their annual Pedal Imua fundraiser, a gran fondo bike ride that traverses the West Maui Loop.
Conor’s ride will encircle the entire island. It begins with an early-morning start in La Perouse, followed by a long clockwise trek through South, West, North, and then East Maui. Emerging out of Kaupo, he’ll travel upcountry and finish atop the summit of Haleakala. For local cyclists looking to accompany Conor, he welcomes fellow riders for as long, or as little, as they would like. He does caution that he’ll be maintaining a brisk pace to ensure that he makes it to the summit for sunset. For others wishing to cheer on Conor, he welcomes any roadside encouragement and is happy to exchange a quick smile or give a hi-five along the way.
Imua Family Services is thrilled that Conor has chosen the non-profit to benefit from his amazing ride. “To undertake a 200-mile ride around Maui, from sea level up to the heights of Haleakala, is a feat in and of itself. But to direct the attention of that achievement to benefit our local keiki and families really speaks to who Conor is as a person,” says Executive Director Dean Wong. “Imua deeply appreciates Conor’s support and the support it receives from Maui’s incredible cycling community.”
Long time Maui folk may remember a similar undertaking back in 1980 when Scotty Ebberbach, decked out in a white satin cape, traversed the road to Hana on a moped to raise funds for Imua Family Services, then known as the Society for Crippled Children and Adults. Times have changed, and gears have shifted, but the drive and passion to help keiki on Maui remains strong and fuels the passion of riders like Conor.
Conor’s Go Fund Me campaign, which will direct 100% of its proceeds to Imua Family Services, has recently surpassed his initial goal of $2,500. For more information about Conor, and to help him reach his next fundraising milestone, visit his Go-Fund-Me campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/Pedaling-Maui-for-Imua-Family-Services.