was completed yesterday with most of our fixed crew and a few guests including Mazie who is one of Zach’s good friends. I have to admit, everyone rode hard and made a helluva effort climbing up all the hills and getting through all 100+ miles around the island. I give a ton of respect to Zach’s friends who rode and may not have had the proper conditioning to take on this ride, but did so to honor him. They all made it, and I’m very happy everything went well.

Sau and Nimz also did a great job providing vehicular support when needed. They provided safety in the places where there was minimal shoulder widths from the main roads and also in areas that were dangerous due to slow climbing speeds and steep hills. There were a bunch of riders who had the misfortune of flat tires which really slowed things down. But thanks to Sau and Nimz, they were on their way in no time. I don’t think this ride would’ve gone as smooth without them. Thanks you two.

This marks my second island ride, and third longest (100+) mile ride in my book. It’s always a journey, each and every time is a new experience and a different test for my body and mind to make it through the ride. This one has been the most rewarding for me, to ride for a real reason aside from my own personal goals, to ride with all my friends, and to watch other cyclists obtain their first island ride under their belts. I’m real glad that I built up the courage to ride one last time around the island with all my friends before I embark on my journey to Japan for a couple years.

Some memorable moments:
-Getting heckled by Sau about using my rain guard fender at the beginning of the day and laughing at him after riding through all the wet roads on the north side.
-Eilif’s extremely long wheelie from downtown to almost near Sand Island.
-Visiting Zach’s memorial and being able to say goodbye to him before my journey overseas.
-Bombing Pineapple Hill with no brakes
-Casey almost taking out Daniel after making an abruptly sharp turn.
-Vincent’s cuts and bruises after his battle with a car’s sideview mirror.
-Eating some fresh poke from Foodland at Sunset Beach.
-Feeling burnt out with aching legs and feet at the halfway point at Swanzy Beach.
-Soaking in all the scenery at Windward Mall; the mountain range never looked so good..
-Gaining back all the speed while riding through Koko Marina and Hawaii Kai WITH the wind.
-Drafting off of Sau’s car and mashing on Kalanianiole Hwy. on the last stretch of the ride.
-Being proud of Mazie for accomplishing a full blown island ride on a single-speed bike.
-Post-ride grindz at Waialae Zippy’s

Thanks to Sau, Nimz and John O. for the awesome shots: