Looks like I am headed back to Maui this March. How could I visit without riding this loop again? It was truly and experience not to be forgotten. I can’t stop thinking about doing it this next time! What will I see? How hot will it be? I hope to improve my video-recording capacity, too. Fingers are crossed!
West Maui Loop Bike Ride
I have a lot of people to thank, who all played a role in making this ride happen:
The boy's family, for hosting a delightful Maui vacation and keeping the eye rollers in place while I ran off on the bike for the morning.
West Maui Cycles, for renting me a light and snappy Ruby for the ride.
mcmahobn (who I don't know) who published their open-sourced code for a 3D printed backpack strap for a GoPro so I could capture the below video.
The Maui Cycling Group (on Facebook and Strava) for being an awesome and helpful bunch when I was pretty sure the loop would be too long for my current condition and I was looking to alternate options (it's amazing how many ride options these guys can come up with on a small island with limited roads!).
Video highlights of the ride
I wanted to capture some video of this ride because I knew I'd want to share the beauty. I've tried a few different mounts on the handlebars, but the view was obscured by cables and vibration made the video nearly unwatchable. I can't handle the look of a helmet mounted GoPro. That's where I draw the line when it comes to dorky cycling fashion. I made a few videos where I held the GoPro in my hands, and these were the best so far. But one can't one-arm a 60-mile ride. So the boy 3D printed me a backpack mount for the GoPro. I'm intrigued by a front fork mount, but since I rented a bike for this trip I couldn't confirm the shape of the folk for printing. I didn't really want to wear a hot backpack for the ride, but that turned out to be a good idea as I used all 3 liters of water from the Camelback in the first 40 miles.
I'm disappointed with the camera angle. I wish I could have tested it out before the ride. I had to discard lots of beautiful footage because the view was too low to the ground. As I watched the footage for the first time, I kept lifting my head up. The instinctual need to look above the view couldn't be stopped. Some turned out OK and that's what I have below. I will definately use this mount again, and with better angling, home to improve my footage even more.
I started the ride anxious. A lot of people worried me about the wind (narrow road with a cliff dropping off to the crashing ocean waves below!), the blind corners, the unknown terrain, the potentially spotty cell service, the traffic, the heat, the humidity, you name it. I focused on riding as far over to the curb as possible more than I focused on enjoying myself. I felt hot. It was 7 in the morning for crying out loud! I took refuge in knowing that the temperature would got up another 10 degrees at most by noon. Then. Cars melted away into nothingness. I saw birds lollygaging on the street. I inhaled the thick, floral air. I saw spots I remembered from the time I rode this loop in a car years ago. In a car, you see all the amazing sights. But on a bike, you fully experience what you see. Every view is coupled with a smell, a sound, a taste, and a feeling. It is such a rich and complex way to enjoy a beautiful place. I ran into several other cyclists on the road. I chatted with a few others who were visiting like me, as well as a local. I should add that the local kindly escorted me through the only section of the ride with turns, rendering my taped-on cue sheet totally unnecessary.
While the first part of the ride was the most scenic, the last part was the most invigorating. The southwest corner of the island was flat, hot, and sunny. But it also came with a tail wind to beat all tail winds. I pedaled at half the effort and went twice as fast. What a rush! Literally!
I got to ride a Specialized Ruby, the girl version of my own bike, the Roubaix. The frame felt small, too small. I felt numbness and soreness in strange areas I don't normally feel; clearly a result of the strange fit. I definitely noticed the light and nimble feel of the upgraded, newer components. I shifted inefficiently, not familiar with the gearing of compact bikes. I loved the bike though, and I loved the seamless experience of the rental.
Who wants to ride with me next time?
