Who needs Hawaii?
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Dan Driscoll
Jan 12, 2026, 10:44:16 PM (2 days ago) Jan 12
to B -RUSA Google Group, Randon
Not into chasing States for the American Explorer Award? Ever seen red hot erupting lava? If your not doing anything important, hop a flight to the Big Island, watch this https://www.youtube.com/live/gXKuUyKt8mc?si=6n-1egfIVstVH-Oq then ride a 100km perm on the Kona Iron Man route. Amazing way to enjoy Mother Nature at her finest.
DanD
DanD
Jake Kassen
Jan 13, 2026, 9:42:13 AM (15 hours ago) Jan 13
to Dan Driscoll, B -RUSA Google Group, Randon
Emily and I rode some perms in Hawaii just before Thanksgiving of last year.
It was an interesting experience. We were on two island -- Maui and the Big Island. The scenery and road conditions would change dramatically throughout the route. For 20 miles you'd be on a tiny, one-lane road in the tropics with no cars an amazing views - some of the best cycling I've ever encountered. We'd be on one climb next to green fields with mist that could double for Ireland and be in what feels like a jungle on the descent.
Then you'd make a turn and suddenly you'd be on a major highway with lots of fast moving, noisy traffic. These parts weren't unsafe (wide enough shoulders) but not particularly enjoyable either.
In short, I'm very glad I went but there's still many states left to check off for the American Explorer award, RUSA's most rewarding award.
Jake
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It was an interesting experience. We were on two island -- Maui and the Big Island. The scenery and road conditions would change dramatically throughout the route. For 20 miles you'd be on a tiny, one-lane road in the tropics with no cars an amazing views - some of the best cycling I've ever encountered. We'd be on one climb next to green fields with mist that could double for Ireland and be in what feels like a jungle on the descent.
Then you'd make a turn and suddenly you'd be on a major highway with lots of fast moving, noisy traffic. These parts weren't unsafe (wide enough shoulders) but not particularly enjoyable either.
In short, I'm very glad I went but there's still many states left to check off for the American Explorer award, RUSA's most rewarding award.
Jake
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Dan Driscoll
Jan 13, 2026, 10:51:39 AM (14 hours ago) Jan 13
to Jake Kassen, B -RUSA Google Group, Randon
Thanks, Jake
I believe that there are a lot of untapped permanent possibilities in Hawaii. We’ve ridden on Oahu, Maui and The Big Island, and think that the Big Island may have the most opportunities.
Pam and I spent some time driving around the Big Island and found some roads that we want to go back and ride on. We could have counted on one hand the cars we saw on the 20 mile climb up to Mauna Loa Overlook. The Volcanos National Park is Huge, we did not explore a fraction of it, but the road down to the Green Beach was pretty carless.
The main road in the Volcano area had lots of cars because of the eruption, but there was ample room for cyclists and the farther you got from the Volcano, dropping down to the Ocean the roads got a lot quieter, none of the traffic was fast.
DanD
I believe that there are a lot of untapped permanent possibilities in Hawaii. We’ve ridden on Oahu, Maui and The Big Island, and think that the Big Island may have the most opportunities.
Pam and I spent some time driving around the Big Island and found some roads that we want to go back and ride on. We could have counted on one hand the cars we saw on the 20 mile climb up to Mauna Loa Overlook. The Volcanos National Park is Huge, we did not explore a fraction of it, but the road down to the Green Beach was pretty carless.
The main road in the Volcano area had lots of cars because of the eruption, but there was ample room for cyclists and the farther you got from the Volcano, dropping down to the Ocean the roads got a lot quieter, none of the traffic was fast.
DanD
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