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A mountain that sticking up somewhere between Seattle and Kona

I was riding along on the wide, smooth, level Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, about 30 ks north of Kailua at around eight in the morning.  At 19 kph.  I was tucked down on the bars, aero as possible (for me) struggling against a 40kph headwind, eyes stinging from the sweat and sunscreen that had been running into my eyes for the last 45 minutes in the 30 degree heat trying to figure out why I thought doing the Hawaiian Ironman was a good idea.

The Big Island.  Hawi, the turning point for the bike ride in the Ironman is about centre picture.

I'd already emptied my first water bottle having devoured two litres before we left.  We had 180 ks to ride today and I was looking forward to our first break at 40 - for water and to top up our tyres with air.

After a long drink, a refill and the air we left Waikolo heading north again into the howling headwind.  After about 10 ks the wind had eased and come around to the side so progress was getting back to normal.  We reached the port town of Kawaihae in reasonable condition and started the gradual climb up the hill and around the north of the island to Hawi. The more we climbed the stronger the wind was, first from the side then headwind.  The 19 ks I'd been doing looked fast compared to the 12 I was doing now.

Finally reached Hawi.  Straight to the supermarket to get coke, downed the 1.5 litres while waiting for Kim to arrive then enjoyed two good coffees, some corn tortillas and honey then headed down the gentle hill, back towards Kawaihae.  At 55 kph.

The first 5 ks was magic. Then the wind came from the side.  I stopped high above the ocean in the gusting wind to fix a front wheel puncture.  When Kim caught up and after I'd repaired it she took my wheel as she was struggling with the gusty wind with her 60mm front and back.

Once we were back on the Queen K it was just a drag for 75 ks back to Kailua after stopping at Wailoloa for a water bottle refill, a drink and to eat the last of our food.

Me and my bike on the way back from Waikoloa, looking roughly North to the northern lump of the Big Island.  The cycle leg goes up the left side of the lump.

We'd raced hard three days before, then run 35 two days before, then travelled and changed time zones the day before today.  But even taking that into account it is going to be a hard ride on the day.