|
| Plenty of folks ride by on the climb up Palani Hill, but I know speed here is a false economy. Heading out of town, I'm hot and realise that we must have a tailwind. Soon, I'm wishing it is a bit cooler. Madame Pele obliges by swinging the wind around. Let the party begin! It's a pretty stiff headwind we are facing, and there are a lot of folks around. A few packs are forming, but each time, a draft marshal pulls up and books someone. Seeing the packs getting busted relaxes me as I realise that it's going to be a fair race. The wind accelerates and the ride becomes a little tougher. Then it accelerates a bit more and I notice that I am starting to move through the field. I pull up alongside a guy and comment that it's pretty windy. He looks at me and says flatly, "Welcome to Hawaii." I had to smile. Head down and back to work. Some fast company is being left in my wake. Melissa Spooner (fantastic aero position, BTW) and Paula Newby Fraser were the most memorable people I passed. Passing PNF on the Queen K is simultaneously invigorating and terrifying. I ask myself, "Who are you to pass Paula?" I reply, "Who are you not to." Head down and back to work. Soon the crosswinds arrive. These are mere hors d'oeurves and I am able to stay on my bars. I say a quiet prayer of thanks for going with my new front end Kona set-up. On the road to Hawi, the party gets into full swing. The first sign that things are going to get ugly arrives when it starts raining. Normally not a big deal, but the rain is hitting me horizontally and the closest clouds are 12 miles away! It gets ugly, then it gets worse, then it gets silly. It is actually quite relaxing once things get silly. I accept the wind and deal with it. We are helpless before the power of nature. I am leaning over into the wind and my handlebars are bending in the gusts. Folks are zigzagging everywhere - it's pretty dangerous, but strangely, I am having a huge amount of fun. I arrive at the turnaround in good spirits and in a far better position than last year. My legs are with me. I am only ten minutes down to Natascha, and Lori hasn't caught me. Life is good. Whenever I get a chance, I slam down some food and drink. The wind is making it impossible to eat and drink, but I manage as best I can. The descent is tricky, but we are heading downhill and home. I pass a few folks - a few folks pass me. It is very hot and I am concerned about my hydration. Seeing as I can't drink in the wind, I wait until the bottom of the climb. Lori passes me on the short climb back up to the Queen K. Not long after Lori leaves, a heavenly tailwind arrives. I am effortlessly holding 45mph on a flat stretch. The tailwind renews my strength and I start to mow down a few people. Exactly the same sensation as IMC, and I have the same thought: "This is going pretty well. When will the penny drop?" |  Must be early, I'm still smiling... |