KOHALA COAST — More than 50 cycling enthusiasts from around the island and Oahu converged Saturday at Spencer Beach Park for an unforgettable experience on two wheels — Big Island’s Century Ride.
Century Rides are one of the more popular non-competitive cycling events in the United States with the featured distance always a minimum of 100 miles and shorter routes often included to accommodate varying fitness levels.
Hosted by the Hawaii Cycling Club and Bike Work Beach &Sports, Saturday’s Big Island Century Ride not only showcased the island’s stunning natural beauty along the Kohala Coast, but also offered participants a chance to test themselves among several distances: from the challenging Century (100 miles), to the more manageable Metric (62 miles), a shorter Kapaau route (43 miles), and for a few, a “Just for Fun Distance.”
“It was amazing to see cyclists of all fitness and experience levels on the 100-mile ride taking on this quite challenging task, with several long climbs, and despite the rain and wind,” Hawaii Cycling Club’s president Franz Weber said.
With the start and finish at Spencer Beach Park, participants experienced dramatic climate changes and lush landscapes as they pedaled north toward Hawi, then to Pololu Valley, over Kohala Mountain Road and then through Waimea.
From the relentless winds of the lava fields to the cool, rainy, verdant expanses of Kohala’s pastoral lands, to the breathtaking panoramic views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai Mountains — along with the punishing gradients of Kohala Mountain road, the Big Island Century Ride offered a challenge unlike any other.
At the end of the day, it wasn’t about the time on the clock or overall placing, but the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
As in previous years, the event served as a fundraiser for the Hospice of Kona with more than $1,700 raised for the nonprofit.
“It’s rewarding to have such a challenging and fun event while raising money for a great cause,” Weber said. “Everybody appreciated the support along the course, as well as the outstanding food at Spencer Beach Park provided by Patricio’s. It’s a great event for a great cause.”
Coming up for the Hawaii Cycling Club is the annual Ride of Silence slated for Saturday, May 18.
Start time for the free event is 9 a.m. at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. For more information, visit www.hawaiicyclingclub.com.
