Finishing up the ride through Waimanole on the quiet back roads as we enjoy the flats!

Here is Gil climbing away. Notice the dense forest.

Linsey and I finally at the top

At the top with a great view of Diamond Head in the background.

Chillin' out as I take more pictures before we descend Round Top Rd.

Tantalus Ride

It was a great day to climb Tantalus. Gil was our fearless leader. He was nice enough to let us join his secret training course, which consists of climbing up two ridgelines and finish off with Tantalus.
I got a good shot Gil and Linsey coming over the back side of heartbreak hill and on to our second ridgeline in Hawaii Kai

This Linsey making it to the top of our first ridgline, called Kamehame. The average gradient is suppose to be about 9%.

The second ridgeline is called Waialae Iki, with an average grade of 4.5%. Here is a good view from the top.

Here we are heading up Tantalus. These guys were going so fast they were a blur! The forest is so beautiful up there. The climb is a total of 4.5 miles and average grade of about 7%

The finish line at Waimea Bay.

The top three women

Top three men

For complete results check out www.waikikiswimclub.org and click on Ocean Races

Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay 2.3miles

It was a clean sweep for the Sun and Surf North Shore Series. Saturday's last race of the series was the best of all because the current pushed us. Men and women started together. I tried to look for some familiar faces to draft off of at the start line, but as soon as the gun went off, I was on my own. Even though it was a straight shot from one beach to the other, we needed to stay at least 30 feet from the shore. I could see a handful of swimmers to the right of me, but no one to the left. It was really really fun the way the waves pushed us along. It felt like I was wearing a pull buoy. I enjoyed the scenery on the bottom too. I was about three quarters of the way to the finish, when a few guys came up along side me, and I took the opportunity to get on the train and draft. It was great, because I stayed with them to the finish, sort of. They broke 50 minutes and I couldn't really turn it on at the end, so ended up 8 seconds over 50 minutes.

I realized half way home, that the race organized presented me with the Male overall trophy.

Bathing beauties.

Chillin' out during awards

Picking up hardware

A real live Peacock!

Slowly making the climb.

Spectalular view of North Shore

Ahh - so close yet so far to the top!

Peacock Flats

One afternoon I decided to explore the Peacock flats trail. The road leading to the trails is NOT flat - but there is a reason they labeled the trail peacock flats. The trail is located near Dillingham Airfield. After I parked along side of the road, I spoke with a wildlife employee who told me that the paved road lead up to the top where those pine trees where located on the bluff at the 5 mile mark.

The trees = 5 mile mark

I had NO idea that I was going to be going uphill for 5 miles. I trotted and trotted, and stopped every once in a while to enjoy the view.

At the 3.5 mile mark - there was another gate to go through.

It was so beautiful and peaceful up there. I very much wanted to go to the 5 mile mark so I can take a look at the trails - unfortunately I had a meeting to attend, and I was running out of time. I figured that I can descend the 4 miles w/out killing my quads in less then 40 minutes.

But before I could turnaround I was so surprised when I spotted a peacock crossing the road! I'd like to attempt this climb again one day when I have more time.