Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Anybody know Hawaii?
Heading to Hawaii next week. Searching the internet I came across these folks:
http://www.orchidislebicycling.com/
It's a long shot, but anyone happen to know of them? They're the only ones I really found to rent bikes from AND have the guided ride. Which I don't mind. Take it easy. We're thinking of doing the...
Mauka Makai Experience: 4-5 Hours, 40-55 Miles
Kailua-Kona and Big Island of Hawaii biking tours.If you are an experienced rider and looking for a challenge, this tour is right for you. We climb the Kohala Mountain range up to a 3500' elevation. Then it's a long descent to sea level. Beautiful vistas are around every turn, and in season, it's a good bet you'll see humpback whales breaching in the distance.
Looks fun. Should be casual. It sounds like it's a couple running the show. He rides with us, she follows with support, water, lunch, etc. Giant OCR3 bikes.
Thanks,
Nev
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Nev:
I never bicycled the Big Island, but did extensive motorcycling there when I lived in Hawaii, From your description it sounds like the ride starts in Kailua-Kona, goes up the mountain to Kamuela (or thereabouts) and them back down the mountain to Kailua-Kona. If so, or something like that, it will be quite spectacular, a pretty good workout for you as you'll be heading into the wind on the way up. Temps are pretty moderate, with humidity (you're in the middle of the Pacific) and it will probably rain somewhere along the ride. You won't get cold, just wet and you'll dry out pretty quickly.
The Big Island is one of my favorite places, the terrain, topography and scenery are so varied in a relatively compact area. I lived in Honolulu and owned a motorcycle shop. I used to ship my bike via barge to the Big Island whenever I could count on more than three days off in a row.
Have fun you lucky dog!
Aloha.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Hey thanks for the perspective Dave. Makes me feel good we chose the right ride. The others didn't seem as interesting ride-wise. Although they had more stops to look at stuff. The wife and I are more interested in doing some work, even on vacation. And this ride supposedly takes us through the "older" part of the island, so more tropical and lush, and darker roads through the tropic. A lot of ups and downs she said. Can't wait. Snorkeling and R&R will be the rule for the rest of time.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Ooooooo boy, that was something.
This ride was on the north tip of the island. We started in Kawaihee, rode to Hawi, took a right turn UP Kohala mountain, then enjoyed a blazing ride down to Kawaihee
I think they said it was 48 miles total when finished. The ride to Hawi was fun, rolling hills. Fast and dang windy over the exposed terrain, lava fields and grasslands -- leaning into the wind the whole time. Then, a right turn, 13 mils UP Kohala sea level to 3500ft, 6 to 10% grades we were told, 6% average. I've never done anything like that before and I'm hooked, at least in my mind (living in TX), on doing more rides like this. Maybe about 2 hours up, one stop for a couple minutes to fill water bottles and that was it. Just peddaling. Every turn revealing another, the top of every hill just a beginning of the one after it. Kicked my butt but I didn't stop. Legs almost froze on me at the very top. But I got it. Then, heading down, there was one dip then an itty bitty climb that my legs did freeze. I had to stop to stretch them for a minute or two, then I was good to go. BLAZING straight down. And the wind was BIG. I was gripping my bars and bike way too tight just to hold the bike. Fast and windy. The guide said small women have been picked up and knocked over before.
Too much fun and the best part of the trip. It was me, the wife, and the guide. Guide was some young German guy I guess an ex-racer, and the guide's wife who followed in a van behind us. I recommend these folks to anyone going. They were good people.
And, uh...yes, I had triple ring in the front and used it. After half way up that mountain I quit being proud. Finished to the top with 2 gears to spare.
Like I said, it kicked my butt, but was the best part of the trip. "Thank you Sir, may I have another!"
Edited by Nev (07/09/05 03:46 PM)
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Way cool my friend,
Thank you for telling us about it. I appreciate ride reports like this one. 
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