Bicycling Kaua‘i roads has its share of challenges — what with the scarcity of bike lanes, rutted roads, broken glass, not to mention territorial drivers. By no means though, does this deter island cyclists as groups train together for the
Bicycling Kaua‘i roads has its share of challenges — what with the scarcity of bike lanes, rutted roads, broken glass, not to mention territorial drivers. By no means though, does this deter island cyclists as groups train together for the growing number of cycling events on Kaua‘i. For 2010 there are eight cycling events scheduled: A mountain bike race in March; Tri Kaua‘i Triathlons in April, July and November; both the Kaua‘i Loves You Triathlon and Pedal to the Meadow in May; Kaua‘i Stage Race in July and Malama Pono’s Paradise Ride in August.
Jason Barth, owner of Kaua‘i Cycle in Kapa‘a attributes some of the increased venues to Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry when Kaua‘i’s first stage race last July drew riders from O‘ahu, Big Island and Maui.
“Now that we have a police chief who’s a cyclist, we have him and his connections, so those guys on O‘ahu are wanting to expand. That’s why we’ve been able to pull this off.”
Barth also acknowledges what a positive influence all the triathlons have been.
“The triathlons have really gotten people on their bikes. Each one gets bigger,” he said. “We are getting more and more people in here looking for road bikes.”
Kaua‘i Cycle offers group training rides monthly where they ride round— trip from his Kapa‘a shop to Kilauea. The next group ride is Feb. 21.
While most cyclists put time in the saddle on Kaua‘i roads, some supplement training indoors.
Kalaheo personal trainer Pam Kruse of Fit Body Kaua‘i works with every level of cyclist, from senior citizens to professional athletes. The spin class Kruse teaches in her home studio uses bicycles rather than the customary flywheel utilized by gyms. Kruse treats her classroom as road training with students riding their own bikes on a stand.
“When they come in we have a methodical plan focused on intervals,” she said. “We do an aerobic base and (each week) build up so they peak for the race.”
In class students practice drills, receive cues on form and learn about gearing.
“Teaching what gear is most efficient in what terrain is important,” Kruse said. “Like an auto mechanic, you need to know what’s under your hood.”
Some of her students are training for Kaua‘i’s latest addition to road bike events, Pedal to the Meadow, a hill climb from Kekaha to Koke‘e’s Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in May.
Event planner Mary Williamson is working with her cyclist husband, Dinnie, to organize this 16-mile ride that coincides with the Banana Poka Round-up festival Memorial Day weekend.
As executive director of Kaua‘i’s American Cancer Society Williamson has extensive event planning experience from years of organizing the ACS Relay for Life.
“As a cycling widow myself I thought, how much more fun would this be for the family if they could be at the festival enjoying live music and fun for the kids while waiting for their mom or dad to complete the race?”
When she and Dinnie volunteered for the stage race last year they put their heads together with O‘ahu cyclist Atomman Kimm of Tradewinds Cycling Team.
“Kaua‘i is the only island without a hill climb race,” Williamson said. “Maui has Cycle to the Sun up Haleakala. Big Island has Sea to Stars, their volcano ride and O‘ahu, Tantalus Time Trial.”
Pedal to the Meadow is a 15.75 mile ride with an elevation gain of approximately 3850 feet. Elite riders will do it in under an hour. Kruse said the average rider should be able to ride to the top in two hours.
Fun and exercise aside, Williamson’s vision rose from a personal motivation.
“Dinnies family has been involved in Koke‘e for decades. It’s his ancestors old stomping ground,” she said. “He cycles where his grandmother used to ride horses. We wanted to bring an event down to the Westside and would love to see Kaua‘i people out cheering the riders all along the way.”
