Met up with another slowtwitcher from Canada (I’m from Hawaii) and we rode from Hapuna beach (about 30 miles from Kona) up to Hawi and then up a back mountain road to the town of Waimea and then back down for a big loop. It was one of the best ride I’ve ever done!
Up to Hawi leaving at 9:30am and we had a tailwind the entire time with NO gusts. I actually felt kind of bad as it really didn’t give the true experience as we got there in no time flat and it wasn’t even hot. Had a huge shaved ice (shaved ice with sweetened syrup over it, I got strawberry/mango/vanilla) in Hawi which resulted in a huge sugar rush and left me tingling in sugar shock after the climb. Also took some pictures for him at the King Kamehameha statue up there which was cool. Even though I’m from here (live in Honolulu now) I’ve only been to Hawi a few times and two out of three times it was in a race.
Normally I’d head back down the same way but today we turned up the back highway to go to Waimea. It’s this cool old two lane road (as is everything in Hawaii) with almost no traffic and it climbs through gorgeous pastures under shady trees. I’d reccomend NOT using a 11-23 cassette on a steep tri bike but we were fine on our two P3sls. The ride was really cool but long and hilly, thank god we had a tailwind the whole way. We even saw them setting up the Ultraman day 2 finish along the way and later saw a couple of competitors. It seemed to climb forever and I was starting to wonder as Waimea is 3,000 ft but we were now over 3,500ft with it no where in sight.
All of the sudden it started to level out a bit and with a gorgeous view all the way down to the ocean the tailwind kicked up like crazy and the next thing we knew we were hauling doing 40mph even up the hills!!! Then after cruising for a few miles like this Waimea appears in the distance and the descent began. The road is a twisting two lane highway with a drop on your right and would be awesome on a road bike. Two cars came by right before the drop and I just tucked and kept about 100m back watching thier brake lights as the P3 shot through the corners doing 45mph all the way down the hill. IT WAS AWESOME, man what a killer descent. 21 miles from Hawi to Waimea, 10 climbing and the last 11 just flat out flying. It’s a must do ride!
The trip back down to Hapuna was windy but fast. The road is new, the turns are perfect, it’s dropping 2,500ft in about 6 miles and if it wasn’t for the damn headwind we would have done 50 all the way down. Oh well, the tailwind was so nice going up we didn’t even mind:)
What a great way to spend a weekend. This is a must do for anyone in Kona. 5 stars:)
You back home visiting family for the holidays? Sounds like you had a great ride. Kona winds I guess can be a blessing if you’re in the right spot. Is that the P3 you posted on hottest rides? Rode here in Honolulu this morning and the winds were a bit kinder than they were yesterday. On a side note; are you still at the RR and are they going to have the marathon sale again this year? Aloha,
Glad it was a perfect day for you, Tai. We had the Post Pigout Plunge down in Kona (1.3 mile swim). A bit cloudy skies and bumpy water, but really fun group.
Hey JC, no offense but do I know you?? I’m terrible at names and can never see to remember who different screen names are:) It was a great ride, a little voggy on the Hilo side because of the Kona winds but great up to Hawi. Just got back here to Honolulu today and the weather is great, much better than when I left. I’m still at the Running Room off and on, usually on Saturdays and maybe once during the week. The sale is as normal, starting the Monday before the marathon till the Monday or Sunday afterwards. I don’t know about doing the marathon anymore, did a 5K this morning and it hurt…
We really haven’t met although I do remember you selling me a pair of shoes a couple of years ago when I started running again. I only began doing tris last year and got seriously hooked. I know who you are cause your always on the podium. When I saw your tag on ST and your signature I knew it was you. Don’t peg me as a ST stalker or anything it’s just that your so well known among the island tri folks. One day I’ll introduce myself if we cross paths.
I also met my nemesis Mark Geoghegan (Hairylegs) this past summer when our daughters were on the same soccer teams. He’s my AG and whenever I see his name on the start list I scratch off one podium spot. He’s a nice guy and has a real nice supportive family. I’ll be glad when I move into a new AG next year so I can have a few years to try and get a podium spot before he moves up. Gotta work on the run first.
Swimming that distance for the first time was way harder than I imagined it would be. I was in the lead from around the 30 minute mark to 90 minutes then Marty passed me like I was standing still. He put 9 minutes on me in my last 4 K. I tried as hard as I could but could not make up any of the distance. When I looked at my picture at the finish I realized that I looked as bad as I felt.
From a race perspective I was happy with my effort in the sense that I did not leave anything on the table. I am incredibly impressed with the solo athletes. I could not imagine riding up the hill to the Queen K after that swim
I thought I had really put in my homework swimming 25-30K a week for the last six week, but in retrospect, i probably needed more long ocean swims and less pool sessions. Hopefully if I have the chance to do it again I can redeem myself.
Are you guys going to be over for the Christmas biathlon and/or double roughwater?
Actually we were there on Saturday so I think it was day 2??? We saw them setting up the finish tent at the beginning of the climb out of Hawi and then passed the leader going the opposite direction as he was heading out from Waimea to the back highway. Saw a bunch of other riders still heading for Waimea as I drove back several hours later. I’m definetely impressed.
Well if it was a couple of years ago you must indeed be in the need of a new pair:)
Don’t worry, you should of seen the age group worlds parade, I met so many people that I couldn’t place. I guess a lot of them are ST lurkers who don’t post but are on here all the time. It was pretty funny and cool.
Mark is a great guy, I’m glad he’s not in my age group though! He’s a tough one and he’s been doing practically every race. He did 5 in 5 weeks, Ko’olina, AG Worlds, Kona IM, Xterra Worlds, then shows up for the Haleiwa sprint! These Aussie’s are crazy!
Anyways, I look foward to putting face to the slowtwitch handle someday. I just realized tonight another guy on this site was a friend of mine and I had no idea until now.