Just a few last photos with our new biking friends.Sunday, March 11, 2007
Really the End!
This will be the really last post for the blog. We arrived home, safe and sound (if somewhat jet lagged) on Saturday. We give five stars to Bicycle Adventures for an over the top trip. It could not have been better. Also five stars to our traveling companions on the tour, they could not have been more fun!
I am sorry that I set up the blog wrong making it difficult for many folks to respond. I've fixed that now (I know too late).
Onto the next vacation adventure Greece? New Zealand? Scandanavia? who knows!
I am sorry that I set up the blog wrong making it difficult for many folks to respond. I've fixed that now (I know too late).
Onto the next vacation adventure Greece? New Zealand? Scandanavia? who knows!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Bye bye for now..
This will likely be our last post for this vacation.
Mahalo to everyone who read and commented. We appreciate it.
On to Honolulu!
Kathy and Carole
Mahalo to everyone who read and commented. We appreciate it.
On to Honolulu!
Kathy and Carole
Monday, March 5, 2007
Day 6 - The bike adventure comes to an end
Today ends our bicycle adventure! We biked into Kona where we remedied a serious shopping deficit. We have had no time to shop so I think everyone hit the stores for awhile. Following that we biked out to a snorkel beach south of Kona. Again a beautiful venue and beautiful weather to go with it. Our guides, Kevin and Kyle set up shop for us and we had a great beach day followed by another primo lunch. The official bike adventure ended after lunch when we had “graduation”. I see why so many folks return to do other tours with this company. It was extremely well organized and nothing was too much trouble for out guides. We biked with wonderful people who were generous with their biking knowledge and taught both Carole and I lots. We biked with friendly people who helped one another though tough parts of the trip. We biked with fun people who were just great to get to know.
Will try to post a few more bike photos later.
Meanwhile, we are off to Maui now and will post some pics from there.
Will try to post a few more bike photos later.
Meanwhile, we are off to Maui now and will post some pics from there.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Carole’s blog - day3 (I think)
I can no longer recall the day or date of our iPod party - but for those of you who have attended in the past - you understand why! We were lodging at this fabulous house in Volcano. We had just finished our swim in the Lava pool and we were all wet and cold when we arrived. We no doubt all hit the hot showers and baths at the same time because we blew the electric not once but twice. Once power was restored, Kyle set to work preparing a gourmet meal that included salmon, shrimp and pasta salad, bruscetta (sp?) and more! While Kyle cooked, Jennifer got a laundry brigade going to dry all our of wet towels and dirty biking clothes. Meanwhile, Kelly and Sarah went off to prepare a birthday surprise for Kathy. Earlier in the day, Kelly bought SEVERAL bottles of wine, so it was quite a party! After dinner we fired up the iPod-o-nator and the dancing began. At one point someone announced they were changing into their party dress (and in the end we decided that it was NOT Steve, contrary to earlier reports) We may post a photo or two, but the will have to save the more interesting stuff for U Tube videos!!!…
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Day 5
We are now based back in Kona and will originate our last two days of rides from here. Today we had a glorious day, the sun shone all day. We rode out from Kona along the coast (almost all of our rides have been along the coast as we have covered the perimeter of the island). The biking has been much less strenuous than advertised (at least in my opinion, Carole may differ). We usually bike between 30-40 miles/day. I had expected to do more but the elevation changes have been challenging, ride descriptions such as “gentle rolling hills” have turned into a cause for concern. Our first days ride, along the Ironman route was the hardest. Today we rode a nice route through some Hawaiian villages, to Captain Cook’s landing spot on the coast. The native flora we are riding through is magnificent, brilliant colors in the flowers and bushes. We ended our ride in a National Park, the Place of Refuge. It was another spectacular setting. Our van rolled up and we again had our star lunch. Many in the group went snorkeling after lunch. Our tour has all the equipment needed in the van. After lunch we hoped in the van and got driven most of the way up the mountain and then biked the last 15 miles back to Kona. What’s not to like about a van supported trip!
We had our last dinner as group, with much celebrating of our successful ride. There are 10 in our group, and at least 5 have traveled with Bicycle Adventures (BA) in the past. I can see why. BA does trips in the wine country of CA, the Pacific North west and New Zealand. I hope I’ve got a couple more in me!.
We had our last dinner as group, with much celebrating of our successful ride. There are 10 in our group, and at least 5 have traveled with Bicycle Adventures (BA) in the past. I can see why. BA does trips in the wine country of CA, the Pacific North west and New Zealand. I hope I’ve got a couple more in me!.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Day three photos
Kathy's second flat tire of the day. Kyle changing it for her! N0 dirty work for us.
Day four - Kathy's Version
We spent the night at the Volcano House, just about in Volcano NP. We hiked through a lava tube and some of us (not me) went into a pitch dark lava cave. We went into the park and hiked down about 1800 ft. into a volcano crater. The crater was created in an eruption in 1959. We hiked across the lava field and through some hot areas that were spewing smoke. Then we hiked back up the side of the mountain. Give me biking any day! When we got to the top the heavens opened and it poured rain. (Pics to follow) We were drenched. We had planned to bike down from the volcano to sea level, a 40 mile down hill ride, but the conditions were really not safe to do so. Therefore we all hopped into the van and rode down in the rain. We did go to a black sand beach where we saw sea turtles and other marine life. But no bike riding today!
We have much enjoyed our travel companions. The group bonded early and has had great fun. Not unusual to have lots of singing and joke telling in the van! Many have been on other biking trips and have kindly shared their knowledge with us. Our tour leaders, Kevin and Kyle have really been devoted to ensuring that we have a good time. Time to say a word about our meals. While we have had some restaurant meals, many have been prepared by either Kevin or Kyle. We have had lunches of smoked salmon, Asian Chicken Salad, and incredibly delicious wraps - all prepared on site. The van is well stocked with everything we need - water, sodas, juice, snacks, fruit and at the end of the day cold beer. We could not be more pleased with this trip, it is billed as the Budget Hawaii trip, but it is hard to see why!
We have much enjoyed our travel companions. The group bonded early and has had great fun. Not unusual to have lots of singing and joke telling in the van! Many have been on other biking trips and have kindly shared their knowledge with us. Our tour leaders, Kevin and Kyle have really been devoted to ensuring that we have a good time. Time to say a word about our meals. While we have had some restaurant meals, many have been prepared by either Kevin or Kyle. We have had lunches of smoked salmon, Asian Chicken Salad, and incredibly delicious wraps - all prepared on site. The van is well stocked with everything we need - water, sodas, juice, snacks, fruit and at the end of the day cold beer. We could not be more pleased with this trip, it is billed as the Budget Hawaii trip, but it is hard to see why!
Day three
"Stopped into a church, I found along they way..."
It was found by Father Damian in the 1800's and because of a volcanic eruption they church had to be hoisted up and moved two miles to be saved. C.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Carole's recap of day 2 and 3
Weather has been an interesting factor so far. Day one was very hot and sunny. On day 2 we started our ride the rain and it was a bit chilly (especially as we were riding mostly downhill), but luckily we had just the right rain gear (Thanks Bill!) It was mostly cloudy and pleasant the rest of the day - which was excellent riding weather (and I lasted the entire ride!) Unlike the previous day, we road as more of a group, stopping for frequent photos. We passed a surfer beach and all started humming the theme from Hawaii 5 - 0 (Not very original - but we do entertain ourselves) We rode into Hilo at the end of our day in a “pace line” of sorts (don’t ask me - I just do what they tell me to do). Anyway - it was beautiful and scenic and everyone agreed today’s ride was an 11 on scale of 1 to 10.
Day 3 also started in the rain - so much so that our guide Kevin thought we might have to bag the riding, but as we arrived at the starting point- it stopped. And were we ever glad that it did. We rode abut 11 miles down to where a lava flow across the road has closed the highway. Along the way we stopped to visit a very cute painted church (and gave thanks for many things). Then we rode the Red Road along the coastline, where we saw whales spouting, waves crashing over lava beaches and just generally had a ball.
We stopped for lunch at Lava Tree Park which looks like a hobbit village from Lord of the Rings. Picture a green rain forest with huge green leafy vegetation. Kevin whipped up a fabulous lunch, complete with table cloths - picnicking and camping were never this luxurious. We ended the ride with a short (10 mile) ride to a Hot Lava Pool…but more about that later…..
Day 3 also started in the rain - so much so that our guide Kevin thought we might have to bag the riding, but as we arrived at the starting point- it stopped. And were we ever glad that it did. We rode abut 11 miles down to where a lava flow across the road has closed the highway. Along the way we stopped to visit a very cute painted church (and gave thanks for many things). Then we rode the Red Road along the coastline, where we saw whales spouting, waves crashing over lava beaches and just generally had a ball.
We stopped for lunch at Lava Tree Park which looks like a hobbit village from Lord of the Rings. Picture a green rain forest with huge green leafy vegetation. Kevin whipped up a fabulous lunch, complete with table cloths - picnicking and camping were never this luxurious. We ended the ride with a short (10 mile) ride to a Hot Lava Pool…but more about that later…..
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Day three
We are having an excellent time. This trip has exceeded my expectations! Today we biked 30 miles, through the south east part of the island. We biked from the city of Pahoa, home of the left over hippies from the sixties. We bike downhill (the best!) for about ten miles to where the lava flow from the volcano wiped out the road. Then we biked along the southeast coast through an area that was stunning with bayon trees with a cathedral like canopy. All of the sights we have seen have been stunning. Again we saw humpback whales that were right in the front of us, unbelievable! within 100 yards of the shore line We biked to a state park where our tour guides prepared lunch for us. Then we biked to area where there was a volcano hot springs pool. We changed into bathing suits and soaked in a warm hot springs. Perfect, after a 30 miles bike ride!
At the end of the day we lodged at a private house with about 5 bedrooms where we were the sole occupants. Our ever intrepid and talented tour guides Kevin and Kyle prepared us a primo dinner - salmon and shrimp followed by an Ipolator party. We thought that our Ireland trip was over the top, but clearly this group is great fun!
Looking forward to tomorrow where we bike around the volacano and then 40 miles down into the Kona valley. K
At the end of the day we lodged at a private house with about 5 bedrooms where we were the sole occupants. Our ever intrepid and talented tour guides Kevin and Kyle prepared us a primo dinner - salmon and shrimp followed by an Ipolator party. We thought that our Ireland trip was over the top, but clearly this group is great fun!
Looking forward to tomorrow where we bike around the volacano and then 40 miles down into the Kona valley. K
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
We went from Hawi out to Waimea Point about 22 miles. The ride was not nearly as rigorous as yesterday. The terrain was flat to down hill. We rode through the Parker Ranch, largest ranch in the US, along the northern coast of the island out to a lookout point. We had the usual 6 different weather changes, we rode in rain, direct sun, clouds, mist, through rainbows and into the sun again. We had lunch in a small town on the northern coast. It is amazing how rural it is once you leave the tourist city of Kona. It seems a long way from the US, more like a real Polynesian island. Ranching with beef cattle seems to be the major industry on this island. They have no slaughterhouse here on the island, so the cattle are put on 747s and flow to Chicago for slaughter ! Who knew
After lunch we rode from a point at the northern most part of the island into the city of Hilo. Again we had a very diverse terrain, through tropical rainforests, ocean overlooks, surfing beachs, botanical gardens and cattle country into the caapital city of Hilo. We were on the bikes about 35 miles today but it went well for us. We are one night here and then onto the Volcanoes NP.
Our group is great fun, no one is really serious about biking although there are some good bikers among us. We are traveling with people from CA, two Canadian provinces, the UK, and Mt. Vernon WA. What a small world. Lots of laughs and jokes. Again will try to post some pics later. K
After lunch we rode from a point at the northern most part of the island into the city of Hilo. Again we had a very diverse terrain, through tropical rainforests, ocean overlooks, surfing beachs, botanical gardens and cattle country into the caapital city of Hilo. We were on the bikes about 35 miles today but it went well for us. We are one night here and then onto the Volcanoes NP.
Our group is great fun, no one is really serious about biking although there are some good bikers among us. We are traveling with people from CA, two Canadian provinces, the UK, and Mt. Vernon WA. What a small world. Lots of laughs and jokes. Again will try to post some pics later. K
Day One - Carole's version of events
I hit the wall around mile 18 but made it 3 more miles to lunch in Hawi.
I could deal with the hills, but psychologically the wind defeated me. At least you know when you are biking uphill - that eventually it will end., but the wind was relentless. Add the wind to a continuously gentle incline and I was toast! After lunch I rode in the van (with others!) but Kathy biked on. She made the unfortunate mistake of following the directions (!) and ended up biking downhill to the ocean. Kevin (our tour guide) realized he had forgotten to mention that critical change in the “cue” sheet and went to get her…which meant she then needed to bike all the way back up hill. S0 Kathy actually biked further than anyone else on tour day one!!! (fyi…some of our fellow bikers were in bed by 7:30pm!!! So all in all - we acquitted ourselves quite well.)
I could deal with the hills, but psychologically the wind defeated me. At least you know when you are biking uphill - that eventually it will end., but the wind was relentless. Add the wind to a continuously gentle incline and I was toast! After lunch I rode in the van (with others!) but Kathy biked on. She made the unfortunate mistake of following the directions (!) and ended up biking downhill to the ocean. Kevin (our tour guide) realized he had forgotten to mention that critical change in the “cue” sheet and went to get her…which meant she then needed to bike all the way back up hill. S0 Kathy actually biked further than anyone else on tour day one!!! (fyi…some of our fellow bikers were in bed by 7:30pm!!! So all in all - we acquitted ourselves quite well.)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Day One
We made it. We had a 25 mile headwind but we got to Hawi on the north coast of Kona. We are a fun compatible group. There are 9 of us and our two guides Kevin and Kyle. Most are fairly experienced bikers and have done trips like this in the past. Carole and I are the only newbies, but I think we are in okay shape as we made it through the whole day. The ride was spectacular along the coast. We had the Pacific in view the whole time and on several occasions saw whales spouting and once saw a humpback breech!
We are in an old Hawaiian town tonight, Hawi. There is only one restaurant serving pizza and there is some concern that they will run out of pizza dough so we are off to an early dinner. Will try to post some pics later. K
We are in an old Hawaiian town tonight, Hawi. There is only one restaurant serving pizza and there is some concern that they will run out of pizza dough so we are off to an early dinner. Will try to post some pics later. K
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The Route
The black line on this map shows generally the route we will take around the island we will start and end at Kona on the west coast. The west part of the island is the sunny side, the east by Hilo the raining side (220 inches/year!) Sure to get wet there. If you want to see a topo map of the route click here (http://wikimapia.org/#y=19533907&x=-155632324&z=9&l=0&m=h&v=1)
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