By David Freeze

  I am at the Club Hotel tonight on the eastern side of Havi, pronounced Haavee. I just took my first ever outside shower, not associated with a campground, on one of these trips. I have this great little throwback room in a motel left over from the 50’s. There are two bathrobes hanging in the room for me to us and my bathroom is right beside my room. And the shower is just underneath it and accessed from the yard. It is all so cool and is the first room that has been reasonable on the whole trip.

I ran five miles this morning and checked out of the Kona Beach Hostel. I gave it rave reviews for everything except a $16 charge if you don’t stay a two nights back to back. I will probably go back later in the week.

The rental bike came from Bike Works in Kona, another good deal if I don’t wreck it. It is a $2800 carbon hybrid bike, supposed to be heavy enough to carry the 50-60 pounds I’m lugging along. Once the bike was set up with bag racks, the mechanic sent me outside to try it. It felt very awkward, especially since they had me test it out on a narrow and sloping parking lot. Once I got it all loaded, I still walked it through a strip shopping center parking lot, slightly afraid to try the bike with the load on it until I was on level ground.

 All worked out well but I am still on the hook if I wreck it. They made me sign a $2800 credit card receipt, just in case. I brought my own pedals but should have brought my own seat too. The seat is terrible so far. I’ve been applying chamois butter all day. Day 1 is in the books and I am probably going to use the bike for at least three. About 59 miles today.

 Several highlights occurred today. I stopped at the first convenience store on the way out of Kona and saw the highest prices I have seen yet. A $3.99 bagel and one of those little banana nut breads for $8.99. I used the bathroom and got away from there fast.

Next after miles and miles of riding through the lava fields, a windy area that makes up most of the Ironman Triathlon bike course, I saw a big crowd gathered around a blue enclosed trailer. A dozen people were ordering or waiting to pickup their malasadas, an apparent special donut unique to Hawaii. It is one big puff of pastry with the topping still hot in the middle. When I ordered, I asked how long to make two Bavarian cream donuts and one of her Mango Lemonades. I had only been on the rode for 30 miles and needed a boost. The operator whispered that she would serve me out the back window while the others waited at the front. I could only eat one and drink the fantastic Mango drink.

 It is an almost never ending 20 mile climb coming into Havi and I was worn out when I made the top of the hill and the triathlon turnaround. The cyclists make great time on their way back through the sea level town of Kawaihae and back to Kona.

While in Kawaihae, another of the wonderfully named towns, I asked the clerk at a store if she knew of reasonable nearby hotels. She gave me two names and one was closed for the day at 3:30 pm. The message said, “We’re open to 4 every day but it is Hawaiian time if we have already closed.”

After checking into this wonderful Club Motel, I rode back uphill to the Takata grocery store. Prices were reasonable but not a banana could be found in the store. I did buy a bean filled Anpan, another Hawaiian treat.

 I am beginning to find that the Hawaiians are a very happy group when away from the town of Kona. One guy smiled and laughed when he gave me directions and the Havi police chief smiled a lot when we talked about my 50th state cycled.

The goal has been completed, but it’s back on the saddle again tomorrow. I plan to go over the mountain into Waimea and then make part of the journey toward Hilo.  Hilo and Juno are the real towns on the Big Island, and Hilo is the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park.

So, join me again tomorrow when we see what is special about Wednesday’s ride. Thanks to Leonard Wood for advice and support for this adventure. I hope you all will keep riding along.