12 Years On: Catching Up, Part One

It's been 12 years since I last updated this blog, and in that time I moved to Hawaii, then to Northern California, and now I'm back on the east coast in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. I wish I had kept up the blog during some of those times because I've had the privilege of riding my bike -- still the same 2007 Kona Jake -- in many of the most beautiful and challenging locations in America. Here's a brief timeline of those rides.

Honolulu, Hawaii, 2011

My rides on Oahu mostly consisted of long somewhat flat rides on Kalaniala'ole Highway from Makiki to Waimanalo Beach and beyond, roughly 50-plus miles out and back; and the Tantalus Climb just above Makiki. The latter consisted of a clockwise loop starting on Makiki Heights Drive, then onto Tantalus Drive up to the famous Tantalus Lookout, and then down Roundtop Drive. It was a short ride, distance wise, but in terms of climbing it was the most challenging climb of my cycling life up to that time.

Kalanianaʻole Hwy

near Palea Point, Honolulu.

Kalanianaʻole Hwy near the Lanai Lookout.

Makapuu Lookout, Oahu.

Waimanalo Beach, Oahu. This was my
half-century ride turnaround point. On Father's Day 2011,
I rode past this point and turned around in Kailua.

Facing downhill, looking west, on the greatest ride
in all of Hawaii: The Tantalus Climb.
Pro-tour style switchbacks and steepness.

The Tantalus Lookout, and the view of
Diamondhead.

Waimea, The Big Island, 2012 

I don't have many photos from my rides here. I'm not sure why since there was gorgeous scenery in all directions. Half of my rides began at our rental east of Waimea, westward to the extinct Kohala Volcano where I climbed to my highest altitude ever, around 3,000 feet. During the early Spring of 2012, the winds were so fierce that during a descent on Rt. 250, Kohala Mountain Rd, I had to ride on an angle, into the wind, to keep from being shoved off the road -- easily one of my scariest rides. 

The rest of the time, I'd head east on Old Mamalahoa Hwy into a lush green countryside that resembled Ireland or Middle-earth -- rolling hills, lava tubes, and exotic terrain. My turnaround point was the Tex's Malasadas restaurant in Honokaa. 

Kohala Volcano, 2012. I usually continued on past
this point but couldn't resist celebrating
the altitude.

Google Streetview of Old Mamalahoa Hwy. Doesn't
look like Hawaii, does it.

Somewhere around here, I was chased by a pack
of feral pigs. Fortunately I was headed downhill.

 

Kona, The Big Island, 2012-2015 

I never in a million years thought I'd ride my Kona bike... in Kona, Hawaii. I believe I hit my form and fitness peak here. The Kona side of the Big Island features some of the most diverse riding challenges since Pennsylvania, with more than a few options if your legs and lungs could handle it. The rides:

1) Starting at La'aloa Drive off Alii Drive, I'd ride south to Kamehameha III, then climb up to Hawaii Belt Rd, Route 11 where I'd turn left and head north and downhill to the flat lava fields where the Iron Man Triathlon road race happens. I never truly realized how relatively slow I was until a professional triathlete passed me like he/she's being towed by Star Wars podracer. It was on this out-and-back where I broke my average speed record and finally hit 21mph average. My turnaround point was usually the turnoff for Kua Bay. Or...

2)  ...I'd turn onto Hina Lani at the Costco industrial area for a brutal climb up the lower slopes of the Hualalai Volcano. Super steep and the beginning of one of Lance Armstrong's training rides when he's on the Big Island. I never quite made it up Kaloko Rd, which was just beyond my ability, especially after riding up Hina Lani.

3) Another common ride involved turning right onto Route 11 at the top of Kam III, headed south and uphill toward Captain Cook. I'd turn right onto Napoopoo and descend to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument area. The ride back up was probably the most challenging climb next to Hina Lani and it was a long one, too. But I always felt strong on that one. Not sure why.

4) Once we moved to Ainanani Street above Kam III, I generally stuck with the above routes. But I'd often begin on the car-less Walua Rd, then onto Rt. 11. I'd turn around at Walmart and head back uphill for the long climb up to Teshima's Restaurant where I'd either turn around and descend back to my house, or I'd continue onto the Napoopoo descent and climb, depending on time and energy.

The view of Kona from the Kailua Pier.

Honi's Beach, Kona.

Climbing up Napoopoo.

Kealakekua Bay at the bottom of Napoopoo. This
is the location where white people first encountered
indigenous Hawaiians. It didn't end well for
the white people.

 

The Iron Man Triathlon route looking back toward Kona.

 

To be continued... in California.