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The weather outside was frightful, but the ride it was delightful, and since I had an idea to go, I gave it a roll, gave it a roll, gave it a roll.
I wasn’t the only bicyclist braving the iffy weather conditions today. Surprisingly, I found the roads weren’t that bad, given how much rain we’ve had for the past few days. Bicyclists know to expect the worst conditions after the rain has a chance to dig up sharp objects amid road debris. Changing a tube out is often done in a downpour, so the conditions can be quite miserable. I’ve only had to change out a tube once. I’ve been so lucky I can’t believe it. Surely my number will come up.
I headed out on my own this morning at 8:14 a.m. and made it to the hill at Kamilioiki at about 8:24. When I get to that hill, I like to ride out of the saddle for as long as I can, almost to the light. Today the light changed against me while a soccer mom walked her kid across the street. I turned in and turned out so I wouldn’t lose much momentum. There’s another street encountered as the climb continues. I smelled cigarette smoke as I was trying to stay focused on going over what many professional riders would consider a bump. All I could think was that I had for breakfast a lovely apple banana, a whole wheat English muffin toasted with butter, and French-pressed coffee fortified with chocolate and organic low-fat milk. I was thinking how I had the right amount of sugars, caffeine and carbohydrates to get me up the hill. As I neared the crest, I came upon the source of the cigarette smoke and realized a construction crew that was working on a house paused to watch me go by. So of course I couldn’t just die there at the corner. I pushed on up and my heart rate reached 175 bpm. I geared down for more power and got back on the big ring to sail down the hill and get my lungs back. I proceeded toward the Ka Iwi Coast to my next nemesis, the hill to Makapu’u Lookout. For some reason, I get a bit of a schooling on Kamiloiki that keeps me riding up Makapu’u more conservatively. I got up to the lookout where only two cyclists were and I said hello, took my picture and after I sent it, I sailed back down to head to Diamond Head. Traffic was busy, and again, I was glad the roads weren’t so full of junk.
I passed a couple of guys on Kalanianaole Highway as I approached Niu Valley. I turned in and they didn’t. One was on a bike with aero bars and fat nubby tires. The other one was on a bicycle with fenders. He was wearing a T-shirt and board shorts and his butt crack was there for all to see. I thought I might blog about that.
I made my way through Niu and Aina Haina, then got off at the Kahala Mall exit and I saw the guys walking their bikes across the traffic island to ride along the road by Waialae Country Club. At this point, I’m waiting in the left-most lane with the cars to turn left and to take one of the side streets to the same road. Behind me was a blue BMW, with a driver who redeemed all BMW drivers in the world, because 99.9999 percent of them are jerkazoids. This person hung back and followed me until I got onto Kealaolu. The BMW driver also followed me until I got to Kahala Avenue. As they turned left toward the hotel, I turned right toward Diamond Head and gave them a shaka for their kindness. Maybe they ride?!
So who do I see next? The butt-crack boys. This time I passed them just as we were approaching Triangle Park. I pushed myself up toward the lookout and got off there for a little break and a photo. They joined me. We talked for a few minutes. They had ridden from Haunama Bay. They were very polite and my plans to blog about a bicycling butt crack crumbled. How could I? So, yeah, sometimes I’m pretty sassy, but I can also be sweet and friendly. They had to work hard to do their ride. Some guys got so much attitude when they’re riding that it makes for unpleasant encounters on occasion. Today I have to say just about everyone I passed was friendly and most of them waved. I like that.
The weather held up. Got some sprinkles, the cloud cover thick, and it was quite cool. Perfect weather for a solo ride in the wild.
Lavagal 