Inaugural Pedal Imua Gran Fondo Benefit Planned

Pedal Imua.

Imua Family Services, along with a committee of community based cycle enthusiasts are proud to announce the launch of the very first Pedal Imua Gran Fondo on Dec. 1, 2019. A gran fondo is a type of long-distance road cycling ride which originated in Italy in 1970 and roughly translates into English as “Big Ride.”

Event organizers say, “PEDAL IMUA is a fundraiser with the goal of becoming an annual event that celebrates the lives of children with some very special need by embracing our connection to the ʻāina, which defines our sense of place, Hawaiʻi nei.”

Pedal Imua will benefit Dream Imua, a program to give hope back to children in life altering circumstances. Dream Imua, formerly A Keiki’s Dream, grants child-directed dreams to children 4 to 16 years old in crisis of any nature, such as abuse, neglect, trauma or a major medical issues. Dream Imua not only offers a reprieve from suffering, but validates the child’s self-worth, sending positive messages of support and encouragement, reminding the child what it is to have hope.

Imua Family Services “dreamed” up Pedal Imua in large part due to the enthusiasm of community members who have supported Paddle Imua, now in its 9th year and is an annual fundraiser for the popular Camp Imua and supported by the ocean community. Paddle Imua is an ocean race which takes place on Maui’s legendary Maliko Downwind Run.

With hopes to engage the cycling community, Pedal Imua invites riders and cycle enthusiasts to ride to support Dream Imua and to participate in the legendary “West Maui Mountain Loop,” which stretches nearly 60 miles. The Hawaiian name for the West Maui Mountains is ‘Kahalawai’, meaning House of Water. West Maui is home to many important historical and sacred sites in Hawaiian culture and has some of the most beautiful ocean views for a cycle ride.

“We are so excited to launch this amazing event, and have received great support from Maui’s cycling community,” says Dean Wong, Imua Family Services Executive Director. “Dream Imua is such a meaningful and valuable program to children who are facing trauma in their life, the opportunity to have a dream day is life changing.”

The event will include an ʻOhana Festival with festivities for the riders, volunteers and their guests, complete with massage for riders, kid’s activities, prize drawings, sponsor expos, food, beverages and live luau entertainment. The event will take place on the Special Events Arena lawn (the corner of West Kaʻahumanu Avenue and Kanaloa Street) at the War Memorial Complex.

Ride Details:

60 miles
Half Ride (30 Miles) offered
4,173 feet elevation gain
Start and Ends at Sea Level
Mass Start at 7 a.m.

Highlights:

Epic views of Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi islands
Humpback Whale Season in Hawaiʻi
Named “One of the top ten rides in the world” by Bicycle Magazine

Pedal Imua is proudly sponsored by Krank Cycles, Maui Cyclery, West Maui Cycles, Minit Medical, Deep Relief Peak Performance, Old Lahaina Lūʻau, and Maui Brewing Company.

Registration for the 30 or 60 mile rides can be done online at www.pedalimua.com.