My family and I have decided to spend two weeks on the big island in December while I take a work hiatus. We’ll be at Mauna Kea and I’ve considered bringing a bike, but wanted to get the opinions of the Slowtwitch community on best options. Obviously lots of you have been there during race week, but I’m intrigued on how best to train while there, particularly swimming and biking. I had a very light 2014, but am planning to start 2015 with a more aggressive race schedule.
Thanks for any input.
Bike the ironman course in segments. Queen K one day and up to Hawi another day. Swim on the ironman course at pier. You might bump into dolphins. I love the big island.
We stayed on the grounds of the Mauna Kea resort for a week after IM last month and also stayed there in 2011. For swimming, we did all OWS either right in the bay from the Mauna Kea beach or over at Hapuna. I think the closest lap pool is at the Mauna Lani, but I don’t know whether they offer day passes. It’s a bit of a hike to get back into Kailua-Kona from the Mauna Kea area, but the aquatic center there is an option, too.
For biking, my husband rented a bike from Bike Works in Waikoloa and biked the IM course. The bike to Waimea also looks ok, but the shoulder seems narrow. The Saddle Rd seemed like another good option - it had a wide shoulder.
PM me if you want any other info about the Mauna Kea area. Enjoy your trip!
The road up to Waimea is quite good, be careful on the descent. There are a few branches reaching over the shoulder, and it’s a little twisty.
I’ve not ridden the Saddle Road. It has wide shoulders, but no support for a long way. The last bit, down into Hilo, has no shoulders, if you want to ride that far.
There was a post a couple of weeks ago mentioning the loop from Kawaihai up to Hawi, over to Waimea, and back down to Kawaihai, if you’re up for a lot of climbing. The Hawi-Waimea leg is supposed to be quite scenic, I’m hoping to ride this when we’re there in March.
Open water swimming in the bay at Waikoloa is good, virtually no surf. If you want more of an OW challenge, Hapuna Bay has been mentioned.
The road from hawi to Waimea is very scenic and a little twisty with some steep sections as well. Beautiful quiet road.
On the original question, I think you will be quite satisfied swimming right in the perfect crescent bay at the hotel beach. It is really great.
And Hapuna is right next door a short jog away should you be so inclined. That can have a little more wave action at times; never seen it too bad the few times I was there.
Enjoy it!!!
J
Bring your bike! You can ride from there everyday. If you don’t have your bike legs right now you can start with your rides heading towards Kona and back. Riding to Hawi and beyond is spectacular. Same for the climb to Waimea and on to Honokaa. Get a vehicle big enough to shuttle your family and bike (or rent bike rack) then plan some days where your family drops you for some point to point rides.
Some point to point rides would be starting in Waimea or at the Old Mamalaho Hwy intx at Mud Lane. Ride Old Mamalaho Hwy to Honokaa and on to Waipio Valley. Meet the family at Tex Drive Inn in Honokaa for a malasadas or lunch. Or meet them at Waipio overlook. These are great rides. You can do them from the Mauan Kea if you want the elevation gain. You can do something similar riding to Hawi to meet family or on to Pololu Valley Overlook.
You can ride to Kona for swim at pool or pier. Meet family in Kona or ride both ways. There is great riding above and south of Kona through Captain Cook. Lots of options.
The Saddle Road is fun for access to Mauna Loa or with extreme climbing gears the Mauna Kea visitors center. Climbing from the coast is a big climb with no water available beyond Waikola Village.
The swimming at Hapuna is great if you get there early. You can also swim at the next bay south which is Waialea. And at ththe end of Puako Road. The closest protected swimming is several miles south of MK at A’Bay. Easy morning bike ride. Take a lock and take your bike down to the beach. Highly recommended for morning swims. Protected, great fish and turtle viewing.
Options for running without highway use are kind of limited. You can try going north within resort to service road. This provides access to a little know beach. You can continue north to Spencer Beach by shoreline trail and probably using service road and trails.
If you run down highway to Hapuna the old beach access road continues south to Puako Road and then links by shoreline trail to Mauan Lani resort where you can add some miles around resort roads.
Have a great trip! I’m headed over next week and looking forward to some tropical weather:)