This Ain't Spin Class

Each Spring is the annual Georgia Boot Camp at Sky High Sanctuary.  This is put on by my brother-in-law, Lance, at his cabin in Ellijay, Georgia.  Les has attended each year.  It's a bunch of guys and their bicycles. And they love it!  During the 2012 camp, one of the riders (who was having a little trouble keeping up) said, "This ain't spin class."  That line stuck, and any difficult ride "ain't spin class."  At this year's camp, Lance order jerseys with this on the back:

Haleakala National Park is home to Maui's highest peak.  Haleakala means "house of the sun" in Hawaiian.  The road to the summit is long and winding in a car, and strenuous on a bicycle.  It is the longest, steepest paved road on the planet!

The Observatory on the top of Haleakala

We were up at 3:00 Sunday morning and on the road by 3:30.  It usually takes about an hour to get to Paia and Les wanted to be on the road by 5:00.  I drove the SAG (Support and Gear) vehicle.  We were in Paia by about 4:30 and Les was rolling by 4:45.

Our plan was to meet every hour or so to make sure Les had everything he needed.  Our first stop was in the town of Makawao.  The sun was slowly coming up and Les was pedaling along just fine.  Our next meeting place was on Crater Road, the beginning of many switchbacks!

We didn't have a location for our next meet up.  Les said, "Just find a place where you can pull over about 7 miles from here."  Fortunately, I found a lookout point.  It was pretty chilly (I think the highs on the mountain were in the 50s that day) so I spent time in the car, reading my Kindle and trying to stay warm.  But I did get out and take pictures of the view.

It was at this stop that I saw the first group of "downhillers."  Most go up in a van to see the sunrise from the summit, then ride bikes from the park entrance back down.

You can see a group of downhillers on the road

Here comes the lone uphiller!

Les also started seeing the downhillers and getting comments.  Most were, "You're going the wrong way" or "It's easier going this way!"  One guy said, "Now that's a real man!"  Yes, he is!  After meeting there, our next stop was the Visitor Center at 7,000 feet.

At the Visitor Center, we were only 11 miles from the summit but with another 3,000 feet of climbing to go!  We decided to meet one more time before the summit.  I parked at the Leleiwi Lookout and Les came rolling in about 40 minutes later.

One more segment to go!  Onward to the summit.  I smiled when I saw the "2 Miles to Summit" sign.  I was ready for a break from the many, many switchbacks!  There are signs on the road saying to watch for the Hawaiian Nene birds.  I didn't see any of them, but I did see two Chukar at the 10,000 foot sign.

I walked up to the observatory so I had a full view of the road when Les came pedaling in! 

Victory pose!

Us at the top.

The Queen of SAG.  I was wearing Les' vest and arm warmers.  He put those on just before he started the ride down.  Yes, he also rode down ~ he earned it!

He did it in 4 hours and 30 minutes.  When he rode it in 2005, it took about 5 hours.  Eight years older and he was faster this time!  The ride down took about an hour and 15 minutes.

10,026 feet of elevation gained in 35.38 miles in 4:30:46.
Total distance: 71.12 miles in 5:45:51
Average Speed:  12.3 mph
Fastest Speed:  41.2!!! (I had a tough time keeping up with him on the downhill!)
Average Heart Rate 144
Max HR 162

This definitely Ain't Spin Class, baby!