Today I went on an awesome ride that I have never done here in Kona. Belinda and Justin Granger and Amanda and I set out from Lava Java in Kailua - Kona (Point A) at 6.30 am and followed the traditional Hawaii Ironman course up to Hawi town (point B) After a quick drink stop we then took on the Kohala Mountain Rd which starts at 600ft and tops out at 3564ft, roughly 14 miles of climbing. Wow, what a ride and view! Such a great contrast from the hot and windy Lava Fields of the Queen K. The hills up there are rolling and lush with lots of amazing Ranches along the way. After a fun descent into the town of Waimea (point C) and another quick drinks stop it was a tough 39 miles back home to Kailua along the Mamaloha Highway which undulates up and down at around an altitude of 2000 - 2500ft. The last 10 miles descend back into Kailua (Point a) to total 113 miles (only 1 mile more than the Ironman distance)So ... if we wanted to throw in some tough climbs, could this be a new Ironman bike course? Probably not but either way what a great ride! I already can't wait to do it in reverse!
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A 6 hour ride has to start with a triple shot cappa from Lava Java
A beautiful morning on the Queen K (mile 20)
"Luke's Place" in Hawi (Mile 50)
Kohala Mountain Rd is an amazing ride. Sea level to 1086m in altitude. Awesome views! (Mile 68)
113 miles off tough Big Island riding deserves a "Belinda Granger Special Protein Shake".
