Matt Meyer Bicycled A Rhino From Canada To Mexico – Help Him Save The ‘Chubby Grey Unicorn’

“Rhinos are just chubby grey unicorns,” claims Matt Meyer, a South African man who is making waves (or tire marks, rather) in wildlife preservation.

Living in South Africa exposed Matt to the reality and every day consequences of rhino poaching – one rhino killed every 8 hours, to be exact. One day, Matt decided he could take matters into his own hands.

On April 17th, 2017, he brought his bicycle to the Washington/Canada border and began a 60+ day bike ride down the west coast of the United States to Mexico… with a 300-pound rhino named “Lunar” in tow.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUx15QhlD0N/?taken-by=rhinoride2017

Matt bicycled Lunar through all types of weather, tight city corners and even up 2,500-foot inclined hills (scroll through the Instagram gallery immediately below).

For Matt, the physical strain of his journey – which, at times, he “thought was going to be the end of [him]” – was completely eased by “the blind faith and hope, that it’s not all for nothing.”

This mantra-turned-hashtag, #icaniwill, coupled with images of the rehabilitating rhinos back home, is what kept him pushing beyond his limits.

The aim of Matt’s “Long Ride to Free Them” is to create global awareness of the rhinoceros poaching crisis in Southern Africa, and raise funds to target it.

Because Matt’s ride was completely sponsored by Piper & Health Travel and Wilderness Safaris, 100% of every dollar raised from it will go to one of three organizations committed to conservation of the rhino:

And on Sunday, June 18th, San Diego has a special opportunity to make an impact in the conservation efforts. Matt and Lunar will be at Quad Alehouse for an afternoon of food, drinks and some serious rhino love. The event will feature:

  • Live auction of a safari worth $20,000
  • Amazing raffle and silent auction items
  • Free food
  • Meet and greet with Lunar and Matt
  • 28 beers on tap at Quad Ale House

The event is free, but please register to attend.

Every penny raised during the event will go directly to the conservation organizations. Quad Ale House will be donating 10% of all sales from the evening to the Rhino Ride.

And if you can’t make it, you can still support the rhino by donating to the causes that the Rhino Ride supports: Care for Wild AfricaSave the Rhino Trust, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

You can also make a difference by following The Rhino Ride on Instagram, and sharing our post or the graphic below.

Live a great story, San Diego. One that helps save the chubby grey unicorns!

Share This Event
Event Details
The Latest
Event Details
Event Search:
Upcoming Events
21st annual Gator By The Bay Festival
May 9, 2024
6:00 pm
  • Spanish Landing Park
The 21st annual Gator By The Bay, the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou, will return to Spanish...
San Diego Rodeo Petco Park
January 12, 2024
8:00 am
  • PETCO Park
The San Diego Padres, in partnership with C5 Rodeo Company Inc and Outriders Present will be bringing the first-ever rodeo to Petco Park Friday in...
Champagne at The Guild Hotel in San Diego
December 31, 2023
8:00 pm
  • The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
The Guild Hotel is one of the most elegant, gorgeous hotels in Downtown San Diego – making it the perfect place for an extravagant New...
The Wild Horses Festival Returns To Petco Park With Zach Bryan
December 30, 2023
4:00 pm
  • PETCO Park
Get ready for the Wild Horses Festival at Petco Park! Join us on Saturday, December 30th, for an electrifying full-venue show featuring the rising country...
Stefanie Bales Art Soiree at Sparks Gallery
December 28, 2023
5:30 pm
  • Sparks Gallery
San Diego’s vibrant art scene is set to be illuminated by the upcoming Stefanie Bales Art Soiree, a one-of-a-kind event at Sparks Gallery that promises...