@postaday 79; #postaday2011
More training for the Haleiwa Metric Century. The wind has been howling in Hawaii since last Friday’s earthquake in Japan and its resultant tsunami. Is it all related to the polar adjustments, the geographical groaning of our dynamic marble hurtling through the universe? Fascinating and scary! Add tonight’s Super Moon to the mix! As much as I dig this stuff, I cannot help but feel so insignificant. Will my words effect change within your heart? That’s the most I could hope for.
About the ride! I didn’t want to be a sissy girl, but I was apprehensive about the wind. I gave John an out: Let’s go to 24-Hour Fitness Hawaii Kai and stay off the road. Truly, I was worried I’d be knocked sideways by wind gusts in to traffic or into a ditch.
We looked at our black bands that say HTFU on them, we looked at each other and we said: WE GO!
Yes, the crosswinds did put us at precarious angles at times. The headwind worked against us up Kamiloiki and Makapu’u hills, and on our way back home along Kalanianaole Highway. When we turned direction and got the benefit of a tailwind, we roared!
This morning while huffing up Kamiloiki hill, Team Jet passed me. Some sweet little gal said “Good Job!” Others said hi. I like Team Jet. Those folks kick butt, but they are kind and encouraging. I pressed on and fought the wind up Makapu’u, too. John hung with the Team Jet pace line and waited for me at the top, as expected. I have to admit that when I’m climbing, I can’t look around much or I lose my focus. All I remember seeing was HAWAII across their butts. I didn’t look long enough to see Team Jet logos. As I often do, I asked the group who they were and that’s how I found out. We seemed to have encountered another Team Jet group and I am proud to say they did NOT pass us. So maybe I fit in somewhere between the elites and the pretty darn goods? One can hope!
My top speed today was a personal best of 42.6 mph and I think it was actually coming down from Kamiloiki, but it could be from Makapu’u. Many, many thanks to the vehicles who let us take the lane. They are supposed to, but they don’t always want to. It makes a huge difference to we bicyclists.
We included our three valleys in the ride and got a little break in at Diamond Head. On our way back to Hawaii Kai, we got caught in a downpour of big-drop proportions! All you can do is enjoy the ride. I whooped it up and pedaled through. The lights worked for us, the drivers were mostly courteous.
Just seconds before finishing our ride I noticed a white van pulling out of Koko Head District Park. Then, as I was crossing the intersection of the park and Kaumakani, a big dark SUV hit the brakes, despite fully intending on blowing the stop. It was a cop. Glad he decided not to T-bone me. That might explain the little heart-rate spike at the end of the ride.
Lavagal 
i think i should have eaten before we rode. i was getting worn out on the back half. and a little rain is refreshing, but once my feet get wet, it ceases to be fun. and it was gusty going across the bridge. other than all that whining, it was a nice ride. glad we went.