Although he's already an avid cyclist, George Vitolo will mount his bike on Saturday and attempt a new feat: a 24-hour ride.
The ride, which will start at Laguna Cyclery around 9 a.m., will loop around Crystal Cove State Park, the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the canyon.
Vitolo is doing the solo ride as a fundraising effort for Wheels4Life. He has no association with the nonprofit but heard of their work last year and was instantly attached to the cause. Over the past few months he's raised $1,000 for the cause, which donates bikes to underdeveloped countries.
After watching "Wheels 4 Life: The Film," Vitolo was moved by the impact a bike could make on a village, whose inhabitants may walk 10 miles to attend university, work or simply get water.
The Coastline Pilot spoke to Vitolo in June when he devised his plan for the ride. Originally he was going to do the 24 Hours of Adrenaline race in Iydllwild, but the race got canceled so he decided to bring his own version to his hometown.