May 12, 2004
-
ride report by Glenn HunterI awake at
May 7, 2004
rings. I might get out of here without
waking up my wife, Bun-a. (We are in
celebrating our 25th anniversary.)
She knows how much I love to ride and is glad to have me leave for most
of this day while she lounges around the pool and beach. I have prepared for the climb but now that is
the least of my concerns. The wind, even
at sea level, has not dropped below 20 mph all week and there has been heavy
rain daily in the uplands.It is time for the rubber to
hit the road. I quietly get dressed,
grab a piece of left over pizza for breakfast, and the few remaining items that
have not already been packed in the car the night before. As I head to the door Bun-a says “Have a nice
ride.” I should know after 25 years that
it is not possible to leave without waking her up! Her words “nice ride” stick in my head. I have been thinking about this as a sufferfest
but decide to take it easy, enjoy it and have a “nice ride” no matter what the
conditions.Daylight emerges as I drive
across the island. Much to my surprise I
can see the top of Haleakela for the first time. A few small clouds surround the vast expanse
of this volcano and it is an impressive sight!
Also, for the first time all week, there is no wind! I begin to get excited and congratulate
myself on choosing today to make this climb.
I recall the weather report for afternoon showers and decide it is too
early to celebrate.A power line is down and the
road to Haiku on the north side of the island is closed. I get lost on the detour and quickly loose 40
minutes. I finally get to Haiku, make a
final check of my gear and head south on
at
immediately. The road is winding, damp
and narrow. The temperature is about 80
and the humidity is high, but the early morning shade from the trees keeps it
comfortable. On the first 10 miles to
Makawao there is a steady stream of cars and trucks traveling well above the 25
mph speed limit and passing very close to me.
I am shouted at and almost run off the road several times. Perhaps “Aloha” is just part of an earlier
culture that is carefully maintained in the resorts for the tourists. My observation is that attitudes in “real
world”
anywhere else. Had I left at
been much better.The temperature has reached 90
as I pass through Makawau and the humidity is close to 100%. After a few miles I turn left on
Highway
lane and, to my surprise, light traffic!
I am into my energy conservation mode, a slow steady comfortable climb,
heartrate between 150 and 170 and feeling good.
Between 2000’ and 3000’ elevation, there are lush green pastures with
grazing livestock. The sugar cane fields
of the central plain of Maui and the ocean beyond are visible. Strange tropical birds are singing beautiful
songs. The summit is in sight and looks
deceptively close, maybe 10 miles away but there are about 25 miles of
switchbacks remaining. It is quiet
except for the occasional cars, tourist buses and bike tour vans going up the
mountain. Several downhill bike groups
pass in the opposite direction. A few
good natured comments are exchanged as we pass.
So far I have not seen any other bikers going uphill.I make a left on Rt 378, the
final road to the National Park and summit.
Mile marker 0 is at this intersection (elev. ± 3500’) and the summit is
at mile 22. There seem to be an endless
number of switchbacks between these two points.
Every mile is marked as a constant reminder of how much suffering
remains. The clouds are thickening and
the temperature is cooling as I pass 4000 feet.
I am feeling the effects of not riding for almost 2 weeks. My right knee is weak and my butt hurts. After a stop to stretch my legs and eat I
feel much better. At about 5000 feet I
enter the clouds and a steady drizzle begins.
The temperature is cooling but I am still almost comfortable in my shirt
that is now soaked with rain instead of sweat.
Staying in the lowest gear I patiently continue climbing.At about 5900 feet a van from
the shop where I rented my bike passes and stops at a turnout. Because of the weather, the group has decided
to use a lower staging area than normal to start their downhill ride. I stop and talk with the group. My offer for anyone to join me going uphill
is unanimously and politely declined.
The group leader indicates that he saw Theresa (who works in the bike
shop) riding uphill just a few minutes behind me. She arrives shortly but is cold and wet and
elects to ride down in the van. After a
stretch and power bar I am back on the long and winding road.A few miles later I reach the
park entrance and pay the $5 fee required to continue this suffering. The ranger informs me that I can return as
many times as I want within the next week without paying again. I assure her that will not be happening! Suddenly a biker on about $4000 of Trek
carbon blows by the park gate, wishing me well and indicating that he will see
me at the top. The ranger calls out
telling him to stop and pay the entrance fee.
He circles back saying he has no money with him and to get it from his
wife who will be coming through in a white Ford Expedition soon. He heads back uphill disappearing quickly
into the fog as the ranger makes a note.
He is using all his whupass on the climb and will be getting a ride
downhill. I need to save some energy for
the return trip and quickly dismiss the thought of riding with this guy.A short distance later, at
about 7000’ I reach the park entrance visitor center, use the facilities,
refill with water, eat another power bar and enjoy a stretch. I am cold and the drizzle is getting heavier
so I put on the raincoat. After a short
distance the sun comes out and I begin overheating. The raincoat is removed and immediately the
drizzle returns and the temperature drops.
I decide clothing changes are futile and keep going.Between 8000’ and 9000’ I pass
mile markers 15 through 18 and the excitement builds because the summit is
within reach and I will make it! While
stopped for another snack and stretch before the final assault, a white Ford
Expedition (which is wider than some of the roads here) heading downhill
stops for a chat. It is my buddy with
the Trek! He informs me that he did this
“world class” climb in 3 hours, blah blah minutes and blah blah seconds. I congratulate him and he asks me what my
time is. I quickly subtract a couple of
hours for food, stretch, bathroom and clothing stops and mumble an impressive
number that is a little higher than his time.
He asks me where I am from. “
is my reply. He informs me that his
trainer, so and so, is from
that I should. I act impressed and let
him know that my trainer, Steve Douglas, is also from
but used to live in
encouragement about how close I am to the summit and we parted ways.The terrain here is mostly
black volcanic rock and gravel flows with a few scrubby bushes. There are a few cars and tour busses but
otherwise it is quiet and eerily beautiful in the fog and drizzle. There is still no wind! At about mile 21 I reach the upper visitor
center. There is a sign pointing right
to the summit. I continue on for the
final switchbacks that are noticeably steeper than the previous ones. I am pretty well spent but manage to keep the
bike moving uphill. The drizzle stops as
I finally reach the 10,023’ summit above the clouds. Some of the rim is visible but most of the 6
mile long crater is hidden in the clouds below.
I have a conversation with some tourists from
while waiting for the clouds to clear.
Within minutes the clouds rise, the temperature drops to 48, the wind
picks up and steady rain begins. I
quickly put on leg warmers, toe warmers and raincoat for the descent.I am cold and the rain gets
heavier during the descent. Rivers of
muddy water are flowing down the side of the road. In some places water is flowing 1 - 2 inches
deep across the road. Visibility is
about 50 feet in the fog and I struggle to see through my rain-smeared
glasses. I notice car lights in my
mirror and slow to let 2 cars pass. I
take the full lane and follow them for 10 miles to the lower visitor center. Their tail lights and brake lights help me
with braking, timing and controlling speed on the curves. By following them I am able to go faster and
have more fun! While warming up at the
visitor center, I meet another biker from
who has driven up but decided not to ride because of the conditions. He offers me some power bars which I
graciously accept since I have eaten all of my food and the park service has
not figured out that they could sell overpriced snacks to hungry bikers and
tourists.The remaining 25 miles are
fast, fun and uneventful. The rain stops
around 3000 feet and it gets much warmer.
Entering Haiku I briefly consider riding the mellow 3 miles down to sea
level and back. This idea is quickly
dismissed in favor of returning to vacation mode. I return the bike to the bike shop and am
congratulated by Thomas and Debra who are working there. I apologize for the dirty condition of the
bike but they do not seem to mind.
Riding in the rain is not so bad when you don’t have to clean the bike!I thank God to be alive and
healthy enough to enjoy such a thrilling ride.
This is one “nice ride” that I will never forget!Statistics:
Distance: About 75 miles
Ride time (ascent): 5 hr 45 min (No record here…Don’t laugh
Peter.)Ride time (descent): 1 hr 20 min (Don’t laugh
Average speed: About 10.6 mph
Total vertical ascent: 9820 feet
Calories:
5080Temperature range: 48 F – 92 F
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