About a week before the Honolulu Century bicycle Ride, which was last Sunday, September 29, I went to the offices of the Hawaii Bicycling League to renew our family membership and to sign up for the event. My husband works for The Star-Advertiser, a sponsor of the ride, and so he was already signed up. I also volunteer with HBL as a driver educator to help spread the word of how being gracious and kind as drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians will make this world a happier place, so it seemed logical for me to participate. And since my husband and I do a lot of things together, especially bike rides, I decided he’d be lonely without me! I’m the life of the party!
In years past, we would ride like heck to get to the 50-mile point at Swanzy Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore, spend about a half hour there resting and refueling, and then ride like heck back. But this time we decided to chuck the competitive attitude and just enjoy riding with each other. I compete in several triathlons, swims and runs through the year, so I get enough of that crazy, surging, anxiety-inducing, near-heart-attack moments on a regular basis. Enough already!
For the 2013 century, most areas were pretty relaxed. In fact, most of the roads were fairly clear of debris. A big SHOUT OUT to the Department of Transportation for RESURFACING the back roads of Waimanalo! Whoa! What a great place to ride now! (Hey, what about my street in Hawaii Kai?!?) No punctures and no problems with our bikes, the weather was cooperatively sunny, breezy (maybe a little too breezy at times), and there was a tiny bit of dampness at the start through Kahala and some of East Oahu.
I am always grateful to finish a bike ride without having fallen or gotten a puncture.
It was super cool when people in vehicles stopped at lights with us would roll down their windows to ask about what we were doing, how far we were going, or how pretty my bike was (twice!). It’s fun to share with them about the ride, and it’s kind of funny when they are ASTONISHED that we’ve gone more than 90 miles! I also fielded inquiries about my Scattante bike, which blew my mind. One guy said he was thinking about ordering one to be shipped from California. I have to admit I love the Red Firecracker in all her butt-busting red aluminum glory.
When I get to the 75-mile point in a century ride, my toes and the balls of my feet throb and tingle. Because I have aero bars on my road bike (not gonna pretend I have a fancy tri bike!), I get to rest my arms on the bars and flex and spread my fingers. It’s nice because I used to have a hard time with my elbows freezing up. We got off our bikes at Oceanic Institute for a few minutes before tackling Makapuu, the back of Heartbreak Hill, and our final approach to Kapiolani Park.
Mahalo to Washington Middle School for the amazing shave ice stand they put up at Kailua Middle School. I hope Washington got something tangible for their time and service. I had three, and I cannot tell the world how many John had but he had MORE. LOL. The KEY Project had a rest stop in Heeia. I helped myself to their steamed breadfruit, kalo and guava slices. I often have PowerGels during my races, and I used a few that day, but nothing beats some wonderfully fresh Hawaiian carbs to supplement the synthetic energy. Mahalo, KEY PROJECT!
HBL’s sag wagon was very busy during the ride, and we were glad not to have to need their services. The hills and the distances are real and for some riders can be difficult. There are 20-, 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile distances, so there are options to customize your ride. A lot of people seem to have taken a little bit more than they should have and ended up sitting on the side of the road, at bus stops, or walking their bikes up the hills. I am happy to report I didn’t have to walk my bike up a hill. Grateful for years of training.
Maybe I’ll sign up next year to be a Friendship Leader and ride around Hawaii Kai to be sure everyone is having a good time. I’ve decided to save my energy for the triathlons and other events that are closer to my heart.
In fact, today I ran at Sandy Beach. I’m adding training runs on the sand to improve my water exits and to keep fit. I absolutely love being right at the ocean for my workouts. It is so beautiful. It centers me.
Lavagal 