Sunday, July 6, 2003 

Perspective from the Hilo Side
      It had poured the night before, drenching Hilo, and grey clouds still hung low over the town. But they were above the horizon, indicating that they would burn off before noon. Occasional light drizzles kept the streets damp, but six intrepid riders from Hilo and Puna were ready to roll. 
     Two of our riders were caging, pickup truck full of beer and goodies, their rides having not yet arrived in the islands. They were shipping via barge. Two students from a women's college were also part of the party, driving a rental car.
     We pulled out of Hilo pretty close to our stated ETD of 9:30. Hamakua being overcast and drizzly, we took the straight shot, rather than the scenic route. The Old Mamalahoa Highway winds its way through tree tunnels and over mossy wooden bridges. Delightful in sunlight, but not the best route to assure multiple bikes arrive safely. Previously I had ridden it with an eye toward multiple bike with riders of varying skill levels. I encountered fallen branches, mud slicks, and patches of rotting leaves. It was the straight and wide for us. Still, we were not without scenic beauty as we passed waterfalls and ravines forested with trees flowering in flaming scarlett.
     We reached Waimea in under an hour and stopped at the police station. A few weeks before, my right saddle bag (the other set - the ones with fringes) had torn loose as I traveled the Saddle Road. Some soldier at Pohakuloa Training Area had found it and turned it in to his sargent who had turned it in to his CO who had turned it in to someone else, and the bag ended up migrating some 60 miles to Waimea, where it patiently waited for its errant mistress to retrieve it. All original items were still inside and intact, including the MOST important - my grandson's baby pictures!
     Saddle bag retrieved, we continued on to the edge of town where we re-fueled. Likely we could have made it to Keokea and back on one tank, but why take chances? I have NEVER complained during a trip, "Oh, I wish I had LESS fuel!"
     Leaving Waimea, we decided to change our route and take the Kohala Mountain Road, rather than the lower elevation Kawaihae Road. It was clearing, and the lower road would be HOT. Besides, we were jonesing for some twisties, and the KMR has them in plenty! As well as spectacular coatsline views and cool, fragrant pine trees to ride beneath. Occasional clouds drifted by and gave us the Hawaiian blessing of a light mist, which was welcome as the day was warming quickly. All too soon, the turn-off to Hawi appeared around a bend, and we headed down.
     Thundering into town (two Harleys and a Yamaha with punched-out baffles can produce a mild thunder) we were hailed by the ladies and girls of a local halau hula (school of Hawaiian dance) who greeted us with thick slices of icy cold watermelon - a perfect refreshment! They were excited to see the "lady bikers," but disappointed that there were so few. We promised there would be more the next year and invited them to join us at the park.
     Gearing back up, we remounted and continued on to the end of the road, took a quick peek at Pololu Valley, and headed back to Keokea. You know when it is the Keokea turnoff because there is a huge old mango tree in the middle of the intersection. From there it is a short ride, with one hairpin, to the beach. I had our group continue on as I wanted to stop at my friend Olga's house and invite her to join us. She already had other plans, but it was nice to see her and hubby Kim. I headed off to re-join the group. Suddenly the air was filled with the pounding of bike pistons - the Kona contingent had arrived! I dropped in at their tail and we swung down through the hairpin and into Keokea.
     Food was next in the order of events - we had brought pot-luck. I brought a three bean and beat salad - Three different cans of beans, a can of beats, a plastic jar of dressing. Drain the beans and beats, toss together, Pour the dressing over the whole thing. Scarf it down. Pack it in your saddle bag along with a can opener, bowl, and serving spoon. I played a few songs, and then it was time for bike games! We did the cone weave and slow ride, and then our diligent ladies had to start heading home to get ready for the next day's work.
     We went back to Hawi (to leave North Kohala, you HAVE to go back to Hawi!) and as it looked like rain, suited up. Auwe! One bike fell over in the parking lot! The right blinker lens was broken, and the brake lever was bent. In trying to straighten the brake lever, it snapped. Duct tape to the rescue! The lens was quickly taped back on. Two ladies of the ride whipped out tools to remove the broken brake lever, and one lady had a spare lever which kind of worked - it left the brake light permanantly on. But the brakes worked. So that bike was moved up in the line so that she would not have to worry about a cage smacking her from behind.
     Back along the winding Kohala Mountain Road, and to Waimea. 
     There, we pulled in to a parking lot, swapped passengers, split back into our respective groups, and after hugs, goodbys, exchanges of phone numbers and e-mails, headed on our ways.

     If any of the other members of the ride have photos and stories you would like to share here, please send them to Leilehua!  
     I have not posted peoples' names because I was not sure about how everyone feels about privacy. 
Ride safe, ladies!