Honolulu Century Ride 2009

Honolulu Century Ride

By John Climaldi

It’s almost that time again; the Honolulu Century Ride is approaching fast!  Do you have what it takes to ride 100 miles? Maybe this is your year to pass the 50 or 75 mile mark and complete the full century! This cycling classic (28 years running) is a must attend for local and visiting cyclists alike.  The scenery is breathtaking, and the course covers several regions of the island of O’ahu giving the rider a keen perspective of our beautiful home.  From Kapi’olani Park to Makapu’u, Windward side to Swanzy beach Beach park Park and all points in between, this is truly a ride that is “Island Style”.  Go fast, go slow, it really doesn’t matter - because it is not a race, it’s a ride to enjoy the people and places that make up the tapestry of  “the gathering place”.

The ride is more then than just the premiere cycling classic that the whole family can attend, it is also the major fundraiser for the Hawaii Bicycling League (“HBL”). Of course we all know the HBL is involved in cycling advocacy on the island, but what exactly does that mean?  The HBL’s Hawaii bicycling league’s crowning achievement is the Bike Ed program for public schools 4th grade students on the island of O’ahu. The program is funded through a generous grant from the City and County of Honolulu, and has taught over 88,000 kids how to ride a bike safely for over the last 20 years.  The program itself started the Bike Ed movement on the mainland, with the League of American Bicyclist’s using the HBL’s program for inspiration in designing their curriculum!  Bike Ed is just one way the HBL advocates safe cycling on Oahu though.  The HBL is an active player in the planning and implementation of cycling improvements and infrastructure as well.  The respect the HBL has garnered in this area is a direct result of the hard work by HBL staff members and the many volunteers on the various committees that attend planning workshops and meetings.  This has resulted in a safer O’ahu for all cyclists.

I often hear from cyclists that our locals elected officials don’t care too much about the cyclists on O’ahu, and that most of what we do here is lip service.  Some areas of the island are safe and some are downright dangerous.  Another bicycle master plan, another study, when does the real work begin? A lot of work has been completed from the Master Bicycle Plan for sure, but there is so much more work to be done to make the whole island accessible by bike.  The HBL is your voice as a cyclist to make these changes happen, and needs your support now to make sure it does happen.

Membership is only $25, so why not join?  If you race bicycles you need to join;, if you commute you need to join;, if you are a casual cyclist you need to join.  And if you can, get involved on a committee to make change happen.  At the least, support the HBL through the Honolulu Century Ride by signing up and purchasing Honolulu Century Ride merchandise.  Visit www.hbl.org to see what the league League is up to.  Comment on the message board, get involved! Check the ride calendar on the site and join fellow cyclists in casual and club rides around the island.  Everyone’s rides are listed in one central location.  It’s free to everyone, not just members.  You can even download those rides to your electronic calendar!  So what do members get? 10% off Discounted ride registration fee for HBL’s rides and merchandise, discounts at participating bike stores, a copy of “The Spoke-N-en Word” newsletter and periodic updates and advance notice of early registration launch, the option to purchase the HBL club kit, and to be part of an organization that will represent you on cycling issues on O’ahu, making sure your voice is heard.  That is what we all want as cyclists, so think about our beautiful home and our cycling ohana  as you ride the Honolulu Century Ride.  Thank the many volunteers that are taking time out of their day to make sure you have an epic ride, and revel in the knowledge that you are not just riding a 100 miles in one of the most beautiful places on earth, you are also supporting an organization that is making cycling better for all of us here on O’ahu. Now that’s a cause I can support.