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Today's route is from Kona to Naalehu, a distance of about 60+ miles. An early $5.95 buffet breakfast at Kona Bay Hotel starts us off. We meet everybody at 8 am at the Royal Kona hotel. By the time we take pictures, and adjust everybody's bikes, it was almost 9 am. Today's route would take us from Alii Dr South all the way to Kamehameha III which then merges to the long stretch of Highway 11 going south. The ride out of Alii would take us through an almost flat road with more than adequate paved shoulders. Along the route, are public beaches frequented by locals surfing the waves. St Peter's Church a few miles down is a one room church perched on a beach bluff. |
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The climb starts as Alii Dr meets Kamehameha III. It is not the grade that will kill the spirit, but the heat. It is not any steeper than the hills we have back home, but the combination of the sun, heat and pouring sweat makes it terribly hard. It is only our second day on the islands so the body has not adjusted yet to the weather.
Highway 11 South is the main highway that loops around the island. Traffic is a bit heavy with trucks and cars, but the road shoulders are paved and wide. Kona is the commercial center of this part of the island so expect traffic.
It is still a gradual incline all the way to the town of Captain Cook. By the time we get to Captain Cook, we had covered only 10 miles but it felt like we had done 5 times more.