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
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
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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