Yeah, where info on his ride?
I didn’t see a single spot aside from Visitor Center (from Hilo)
How recently they graded is a huge factor, along w/how recently it has rained. When I rode Kea two years ago on 32 Schwabe speed gravels, it was much softer than when I rode it a week ago on 45 Schwabe RS (dropped to 28 psi for the gravel stretch) and I attribute that to recent grading
(Could see road grader tracks and fresh gravel banking on the side of the road) and occasional wet spots from recent precipitation. Made it 4.3 of the 4.7 miles w/o putting a foot down, but had to one additional time, but zero walking. I think I could have done the first 4.3 on 32s — conditions were that much better. The last .4 was much, much looser.
Whoever gets after it, be awares the last 2.4 miles after the gravel are extremely steep, so brace yourself, w/gain of another 2K in that short stretch — approx 16% grade at low oxygen. I was high zone 4/low 5 HR at less than 50% FTP.
Views from the summit were glorious.
Also Saddle Road is on rental car exclusions too. They didn’t tell me when we rented the car. I only found out after getting from Hilo to Kona quickly.
The visitor center at 9200’ will have water.
If starting from Hilo, there will be nothing between the start and the Visitor Center.
If starting from Waikoloa Beach, there will be water in Waikoloa Town(1000’) and then Gilbert Kahele Rec area(6500’)
Not sure if anyone’s still responding here, but I really enjoyed the excellent info. Heading to Kona at the end of March to attempt Mauna Kea and then hopping over to Maui for a shot at Haleakala. My logic is to be fresh for MK, with H being the “lesser” climb. I’ve seen contrary advice also, with folks using H as the warm-up/barometer. I’m a multiple time Ironman finisher (recent events) and have biked all the major CO peaks including the Triple Bypass a few times (but I’m very much an amateur). Thoughts?
Looks like Hannah Otto teased an upcoming video where she made an FKT attempt on Mauna Kea. Will be curious to see how she approached it and what gear she picked.
I am giving this a go in 3 weeks. Last year I did Loa and to the visitor center with my road bike (30mm with 50/37 and 10-33). It was hard but did not shell me. I did not attempt the gravel section. This year I am going back with my gravel bike with 40mm conti terraspeed. I will be using a 46/33 front ring and 10-36 rear. I wanted to get more gearing but I had this setup already at the house so made it easy and cheap. Last year I was doing about 240w at 60rpm for the part up to the visitors center, which is not ideal.
Has anyone done this unsupported? I was unsupported last year and feel like it wasn’t a big deal. The only thing I’m worried about is the descent back to the visitors center. I’m thinking about trying to hitch a ride. I’d prefer not to ride the gravel descent for sure. Anyone have any advice for that part?
Can’t help with this but good luck on the ride!!!
Dangit, trip was scheduled for last weekend but I delayed because of LaLa. Now scheduled for this upcoming weekend but rangers say there is extensive damage to the summit road so probably won’t be able to do it. It sounds like Mauna Loa is now open again to the observatory with a couple short gravel sections over the lava flows but I have no idea if that will be damaged/open from the hurricane.