Adventure Cycling, the organization famous for the cycling maps among other things, has routes across the U.S named the Northern and Southern Tier. This weekend past I guess I rode the North Shore Tier.
On Friday, 4/23/2010, I left my apartment around 7am on my Rivendell Quickbeam loaded up with enough camping gear for three nights at Malaekahana. My previous experience camping at Sand Island and Malaekahana gave me pretty good idea of what to take, or more correctly, what not to take. While I still had more stuff than I needed, I’m getting better at whittling things down. A basic list of what I took included:
- Hennessy Hammock
- Fleece blanket bag
- Tiny pillow (so worth it)
- Auto windshield reflector (underpad)
- Trangia stove set and fuel
- Video camera to interview a friend
- Camera (didn’t use with video camera along
- Extra Clothing
- Dry undershorts (2)
- Windbreaker
- Socks (for sleeping actually)
- Extra riding shirt
- Camp shirt
- Instant coffee, oatmeal, and Clif Bars (bought rest of food while there)
- Toiletries
- Basic bike tools (come with everywhere anyway)
Everything fit into my Rivendell Sackville SaddleSack (Large) in the back and my Sackville SlickerSack up front. I did have to strap my hammock onto the top of the SlickerSack, but it worked fine. I could still pick up the bike with one arm so I figured it wasn’t too heavy.
The Quickbeam has gears, just no derailleurs, so I kept to high (40×16) most of the way till I got to the dread Kapaa Gulch. This is a lovely drop followed by an even lovelier climb, at least headed out. Just before I attempted it this time I decided to take a break and change ratios. I went as low as I could, 32×19, and found it easy enough to ride that I kept that in place through Kaneohe. Once I was back at sea level back up I went, but I am really grateful for that bit of relief. Last time I did this ride I didn’t change gears and I definitely paid a price.
Then it was off to Malaekahana.
Here’s my bike all packed up…
I arrived early enough to set up camp, easy enough with a hammock, and head back to Laie a couple of miles to do some shopping. By the time I got back it was time to eat, shower (yes, I had the luxury of hot water at Friends of Malaekahana’s campsite), and hit the rack for a bit of reading on my Kindle.
The next morning I got up, cooked some eggs and coffee, and got ready for an easy day of exploring the North Shore. My plan was simple, ride to Haleiwa and back, about a 36 mile round trip; easy after the 60 of the day before loaded down.
The weather was perfect.
When I got to Laniakea I stopped and did a video interview with a friend who watches over our honu (sea turtles) when they rest up on the beach there. I’d planned on doing this on my way back from Haleiwa, but as there was a turtle there already it seemed an appropriate time. As it turned out, my timing was good. When I passed by later that day on my return no honu were to be seen.
After a day out exploring I took another nice hot shower, cooked dinner, read a bit, and made ready for the morrow.
Sunday was my big day. I had to ride the 18 miles to Haleiwa, then ride in the JBK Haleiwa Metric Century, then ride back to Malaekahana. All in all it’s about 100 miles, the most I’d ever ridden in recent years and never back to back with 60 mile rides.
I left in the dark to give myself plenty of time to make it Haleiwa without tiring and was treated to a beautiful sunrise as I rode through North Communities and long open stretches through farm land and along our very famous beaches. There was almost no traffic at that time of the morning, so it was simply wonderful.
Folks had already started gathering at Kaiaka Beach Park in Haleiwa when I arrived. All in all I’m told there were over 800 of us. At 7:30am, after a few obligatory words from politicians and safety types, we were off, led and chased by motorcycle officers of the HPD (who did a great job patrolling the route I might add).
The racing types took off as soon as we were out of Haleiwa and I started noticing them heading back almost before we got to the 25km turnaround, well that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much.
I had, as far as I could tell, the only Riv.
The ride was a very good time once things settled down. Most everyone was very polite with only a few minor exceptions:
- Not enough folks called out “on your left” before they passed. It generally wasn’t the amateurs forgetting, it was the wannabes.
- getting passed on a bridge with traffic wasn’t any fun. I had about six inches and if there’d been something I needed to avoid…well it wouldn’t have pretty.
- One fellow drafted me for miles never taking the lead then took off without so much as an acknowledgement.
Idiots aside, and there’s no guarantee I wasn’t seen as a jerk by some, the ride was great.
I stopped at all the rest stops and ate a lot of fruit and drank a lot of sports drink (HEED? – tasted..um..well it was free). I managed to avoid dehydration or bonking over the entire course, so I guess I did okay.
At the 100K turnaround I ran into John Climaldi who I know a bit about because of my Bike Friday and through the HBL. He had his lovely Rob English racing bike prototype out there while he worked the rest stop. The bike weighed about as much as the energy bars I was carrying. Mind you, I’m not into counting grams on my bike…with racks, and luggage, and me it’s not really worth it. If I need a lighter ride I can lose five pounds.
Anyway, here’s John’s bike:
Once I made it back to the starting point it was time to turn around and go back to Malaekahana.
I stopped a the Haleiwa Farmer’s Market and picked up some fruit so I could have something nice when I got to my campsite. The market was almost done for the day so I got an excellent price on items the vendors didn’t want to carry home. Of course planning to show up at the end of market is a bit hit or miss, so just show up early and get what you like.
I was pretty beat at this point but the ride was going well. I stopped for fresh pineapple juice along the way which was a real godsend. I also stopped for some Kahuku shrimp as a late lunch at one of the roadside stops. I topped it off with some shaved ice to boot.
My final stop was at the market where I picked up a couple of things for dinner and road the last mile home.
I was done in. I didn’t hurt anywhere, but I was exhausted. I showered, cooked a bit of dinner, then hit the hay.
I expected I’d been in pretty sad shape Monday morning but I wasn’t. I felt great. I was even up earlier than I expected. After coffee and oatmeal I packed up the campsite and headed out. While I wasn’t a speed demon, I made it home in good time, stopping several times along the way to eat a piece of fruit or a sandwich.
All in all I rode about 250 miles or 400K and never once felt I was coming apart at the seams. Tired? Yes. Exhausted? Not really. In pain? Never.
All good.
In fact I think I’m going to start riding to Haleiwa regularly. Of course I think I’ll take the bus back when I do so that I can make the whole thing a one day ride, but hey, it’s lovely out there.
Aloha!