Cycling SF to LA for Maui Relief

In late 2022 my friend Adrian suggested that we ride our bikes from San Francisco to our current home base of Los Angeles. At the time, I only owned a fixed-gear bike, so even though the idea sounded intriguing, I knew that I should probably get a new bicycle that would be fitting for the journey. So for Christmas I got myself a commuter bike and we started doing increasingly more challenging rides with the intention of completing the trip in Spring 2023.

With life and scheduling issues getting in the way, Spring came and went. Eager to make this 'torture trip' (a vacation that requires some work) happen, we decided that Fall would be the latest we could realistically make the journey, before the holidays arrived along with wetter and colder weather.

During the planning stages of our trip, in August 2023 the island of Maui was devastated by wildfires, with Lahaina being the epicenter. Immediately Adrian and I received news that friends, and family and friends of our friends, were deeply impacted by the destruction caused.

Adrian is from Oʻahu and although I am from the mainland, I have had the privilege to visit Hawaiʻi numerous times over the years and have a heartfelt respect for the archipelago and gratitude for all of the positive experiences I’ve had during my time spent there. In an effort to help those who have been affected, we both agreed that we could use this 500-mile ride as an opportunity to support Maui and her residents.

Our goal is to raise $4,000 for this trip, with 100% of the proceeds being sent directly to Lahaina families. This equates to $8 per mile, slightly more than a coffee from the cafe or a beer from the bar. Any surplus donations will be sent to additional families, as well as local businesses in Lahaina that are on their knees due to the lack of visitors to the region. We are going to use Instagram accounts @lahaina_ohana_venmo and @helpmauirise to distribute donations.

Links to each profile:

Lahaina Ohana – https://linktr.ee/kanoepach

Help Maui Rise – helpmauirise.org

As much as this ride has a serious undertone, Adrian and I are both looking forward to pushing ourselves physically through seven days of cycling, and plan to document the trip along the way. We will start the ride the second week of October and will embrace the outdoor experience by camping, showering minimally, and eating simply. The writer in me hopes to compile photos taken and words jotted down on PCH’s shoulder into something for you all to enjoy at the end of the line. Until then, any contributions will be appreciated more than you know. Long Live Lahaina!

-Elliott

Big Sur photograph by Sam Muller