Saturday (August 21), 6:30am, Pa’ia Bypass to Haleakala Summit
“Cyclist” and “masochist” are interchangeable words in my book. Spandex onesies and crotch-killing (so-called) seats? I’d rather douse myself in gasoline and strike a match, thanks. If careening white-knuckled down Haleakala isn’t cruel and unusual punishment enough, pedaling up one of the world’s steepest length-to-height-ratio roadways is. “The ride climbs 10,000 feet over 36 miles and reaches gradients up to 14percent,” says Donnie Arnoult, Cycle to the Sun race organizer and Category One pro racer. “[It’s] one of the most difficult bike climbs in the world,” Arnoult adds. “As a comparison, the famed Mont Ventou in the Tour de France is only a 5,336 foot climb over 13.6 miles.” Needless to say, this challenging race—slated for Saturday—is for the cycle-savvy only. Beginning at the Pa’ia Bypass, the course follows Baldwin Avenue through Makawao town, up Olinda Rd. to the Old Haleakala Highway and finally winding up Crater Road to the summit of the Haleakala. Competitors in this time trial (capped at 6.5 hours to reach the top) can choose from making the whole 36mile haul ($200 entry fee), a 19mile half-race to an elevation of 5,500ft ($150 entry fee), or a splitting the distance in a two-person relay ($250 entry fee); and each will receive a pair of official race socks and an environmentally friendly, reusable cloth shopping bag with their race packet. After the race (around 4pm), a private BBQ and awards ceremony will be held for cyclists, where category winners will be laden with merchandise and cash prizes. But the best prize of all (other than finishing the dang race) is that the whole shebang is a benefit for the Pa’ia Youth Center (so entry fees are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law). [808-579-9009, donnie@GoCyclingMaui.com, cycletothesun.com] Whew. As someone who only excels at the sport of spectating, I’m out of breath just thinking about a pedal-powered venture to the top of the volcano. So better suited for me (and anyone), is multi-platinum duo Air Supply‘s Saturday concert at the MACC’s Castle Theater (7:30pm), conveniently located at sea level. [808-242-7469, mauiarts.org, $35/$55/$65/$85]
Ride Metrics: Course Map / Grade Profile
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