Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou
Windy like Eastern Washington, but Tropical
Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou is Hawaiian for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I say that’s from our families to yours. It’s been a good year and we’re closing it out riding in Maui.
A wind advisory has been issued since we’ve arrived and it hasn’t let up. Today we’re riding Halealaka and towards Hana into next week. Besides a couple rides to Lahaina Town, we returned to Mr. Steepy.
Twice as steep as it looks
It never gets any easier than how I described it in 06
As it was told to us, the 20% gut-wrenching climb on Maui’s best ride was named Mr Steepy after Lance said “man that’s steep!” during a ride with some locals. Mr. Steepy is the right name and the photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s a climb where you lose all momentum immediately and it hurts as bad sitting or standing. Nearing the top, the thoughts in my head were not, “man I can climb and I’m going to kick ass next season.” Instead it was more, “when will this end, I can’t climb for shit, a few more pedal strokes, and I’m at 187 bpm!”
A few iPhone photos of the The Steep One.
Across the cove
At the top is where its steepest
As I said on Twitter 
On the way back, watched another couple climb it. It’s a marriage tester.
I’d not suggest the climb unless a couple has a solid relationship and agrees to climb it together. It’s about a two minute effort that’ll change you.