IN SUPPORT OF:
Habeas corpus is a universal legal safeguard against unlawful detention. It applies to everyone, regardless of immigration status, and plays a critical role in protecting due process rights for noncitizens being unjustly held or facing deportation.
I want every Vermonter to be able to exercise this right, but without the right support, it is exceedingly difficult to file a habeas corpus petition. That’s why I’m raising money for the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP), a legal services and technical assistance organization that exists to raise Vermont noncitizens’ awareness of and access to free immigration legal help and support.
I'm not just asking for a contribution, I intend to earn it...
Who:
My name is Dan, and I find my greatest clarity in the saddle of my bicycle. It’s where I’ve made many of my biggest life decisions, discovered my mental and physical limits, and even casually enjoyed a ride or two. When something is important to me, that is often where I figure out what to do about it.
As it turns out, the answer to my current quandary lies in that same saddle.
What:
To raise money for VAAP, I plan to continuously ride my bike up and down Depot Street in Burlington, VT, for a period of up to 24 hours.
Depot Street is a 0.2-mile section of road that climbs 100 feet with an average grade of 9.6%. It is closed to cars and full of potholes.
For each donation I receive, I will complete an additional lap of this grueling climb.
When & Where:
Date: June 6, 2026
Start Time: 12:01 am
Location: Depot Street, Burlington, VT
(Yes, you read that right, I'm starting at midnight.)
Why:
Is it crazy to ride a bike up and down a sketchy hill for 24 hours? Of course it is. But whatever challenge this feat will pose to me pales in comparison to the challenges facing immigrant communities across Vermont.
We can’t just wish for the world we want to live in to take shape. We have to show up and work for it. And sometimes, that means embarking on a 24-hour sufferfest to help prevent the unfair and illegal detention of immigrants.
How this will work:
Adding a lap to the total
Think of this like a "walk-a-thon," only more difficult, and on a bike. Each donation adds one additional lap of the 0.2-mile hill climb.
As the ride goes on and fatigue sets in, a lap becomes increasingly difficult, so the cost to add another steps up at regular intervals:
Laps 1-100:
Laps 101-200:
Laps 201-300:
Laps 301-400:
Laps 401-500:
$10 / lap
$15 / lap
$20 / lap
$30 / lap
$40 / lap
This sounds crazy.
Is it?
Yes. 300 laps ($4500!) is roughly the same vertical gain as Mount Everest and could take me 18 hours or more.
# of Laps Pledged:
1
Have you done this before?
Yes. In 2024, I completed a similar 24-hour ride to raise money for reproductive rights.
Total Raised:
$10
Whether or not you choose to donate, I would love to have you come by and cheer me on for a lap!
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact:
Have a question that wasn't answered? Reach out to hillclimb4hc@gmail.com