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