Last year’s Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) was a whirlwind: two nights, four days. Fly, ride, fly home. Outside of the ride itself, we barely strayed from the hotel, and never even made it into the water at Waikiki Beach. That lingering “if we’d just had one more day” feeling stuck with us, so if we were ever lucky enough to return to Hawaii, we told ourselves we’d actually make time to enjoy the place.
And as it happened, we were invited back to HCR this year with the same crew, so we tacked an extra day onto the itinerary. Here’s how our second trip to Hawaii unfolded.
*Note: This account is written from the perspective of riders participating from Japan.
Team / Tats, Anna, & Saad
powered by Global Ride
A 5-Day, 3-Night Itinerary
| Date | Plan |
|---|---|
| Fri, 9/25 | Haneda to Honolulu Check in and nap Out into the night |
| Sat, 9/26 | Our own free ride (60km) Event registration in the evening Out into the night |
| Sun, 9/27 | Honolulu Century Ride (160km) |
| Mon, 9/28 | Morning swim at Waikiki Beach Head to the airport at midday |
| Tue, 9/29 | Arrive at Haneda in the evening |
Last year’s schedule was tight: register the day we landed, race the next morning. This time we added a buffer day before the event, which finally gave us the free ride time we’d been craving (so good).
Temperatures hovered around 25°C the whole trip, which was perfect, but the weather during our first three days was all over the map. Sunny breaks gave way to sudden showers, with wind gusting like a storm (even during the event itself!).
Only the last day delivered true blue skies and calm air, which at least let us close out the trip on a bright note.
The Crew
Same three riders as last year. For the kit, we unified around ‘FINGERSCROSSED‘ to match Anna, who recently became an ambassador. Last year we each wore our own gear, but this time we leaned into the team look. We started riding in FINGERSCROSSED kit this SS season, and the build quality has been genuinely impressive. They’ve long been known for socks, but their apparel line, launched last year, is clearly on an upward trajectory.
Flying with the EVOC ROAD BIKE BAG PRO (New Model)
Once again, our weapon of choice for air travel was the EVOC ‘ROAD BIKE BAG PRO‘. This time we used the updated version.
The core packing process is unchanged from the previous model, but the small refinements add up: easier wheel removal, color-coded tension bars, and other thoughtful tweaks. Even after a year away from packing one, we zipped the bikes in without hesitation, which was honestly a relief.
Between OS500, SCICON, and dedicated cardboard boxes, there’s no shortage of options, but EVOC’s blend of packing ease and portability remains in a class of its own.
Day 1｜Easing in with Shopping
We took the “Roberts Hawaii” shuttle from the airport into Honolulu. During HCR week, they transport bikes for free
After a seven-hour flight out of Haneda, we touched down in Honolulu just past noon. We collected our bikes, caught our pre-booked shuttle to Waikiki, checked into the hotel, and squeezed in a quick nap to make up for restless sleep on the plane.
Instant siesta.
Honolulu nights run long, so even an evening start gives you plenty to work with. Kalakaua Avenue, the main drag, keeps flowing with people, and the shops stay open late. On top of that, the sense of safety is close to what we’re used to in Japan, which is a huge part of what makes Honolulu so appealing after dark.
We wandered the streets and settled on poke bowls for dinner. Thick cubes of tuna and salmon piled high over rice, dressed with mayo for serious satisfaction. The bold flavors and generous portions had us thinking, “yep, we’re in Hawaii.”
We knocked out souvenirs in one haul at Target. Buying everything on day one takes the pressure off the final day
We bounced between shops hunting for souvenirs and items we can’t find back home.
We stocked up on daily essentials at ABC Stores and Target, then dug through Ross Dress for Less and Nordstrom Rack for discounted brand finds.
Among the haul, the real winner for me was Garnier hair oil. Nice scent, no greasy feel, and it leaves hair silky smooth. Since it’s available on iHerb, this one’s going on the repeat list.
Note: This account is written from the perspective of riders participating from Japan.
Day 2｜A Ride of Our Own
View this post on Instagram
Digest footage (sort of)
This year, we wanted to explore Honolulu under our own power. We’d hauled our bikes across an ocean to get here, after all. Just riding the event course and heading home would have been a waste.
Tantalus
In the morning, we rolled out toward Tantalus (4km, 600m of climbing). You slip north out of the Waikiki streets and keep going until the road dives straight into the forest. A proper hillclimb spot.
The vibe could pass for a mountain back home in Japan, except that the whole way up, a bright scent of lemongrass drifted through the air (growing wild on the roadside, maybe?). That alone was enough to remind us: this isn’t Japan.
Partway up, the view opens: downtown Honolulu and the ocean spread out below. That combination of city and sea in a single frame isn’t something you’ll see from the HCR course, which already made the detour worth it.
The weather was the problem. Overcast from the start, and as we neared the summit, a sudden squall hit. The road to the lookout was closed too, so we turned back to the nearest spot where we could take shelter.
Near the top, the road opens up on both sides and the sensation is wide and exhilarating. Without the rain, we would have soaked in that view much longer. A little disappointing. Too much rain to even pull out the camera.
Easier Riding Than Japan
“Ride here, cyclists” markings
Once the squall passed, we headed back into town. By the way, drivers in Honolulu are overwhelmingly kind to cyclists.
Traffic is heavy, but cars don’t force their way past you, and when you want to change lanes, they’ll hang back and let you. No awkward two-stage right turns required either. Bike lanes are well laid out, so there’s almost never a question of where to ride (though the number of traffic signals rivals downtown Tokyo).
After lunch, both of us were half-asleep from jet lag. Saad had flown from Bangladesh to Japan the week before, then straight on to Hawaii, so his body clock was completely scrambled. His helmet is scrambled too.
Ice cream girl
Total ride: around 45km with 680m of climbing. We could have pushed on, but we wanted to save our legs for the main event the next day. We wrapped the ride at the registration venue, picked up our packets, and headed back to the hotel.
The registration venue was packed with international cyclists heading out on the pre-ride
Food Trucks for the Win
Food is where our money truly vanished in Honolulu. Prices feel roughly 2.5x Japan’s.
We wanted to try as many flavors as possible, so instead of sitting down for big restaurant meals, we built the trip around food trucks with sweets in between.
Prices are 2.5x, but portions are 2x, so maybe it’s not that bad
A food truck meal runs about $20 (~¥3,200) and will absolutely fill you up. Honestly, eat like this every day and you’d gain weight. Many places stay open until 22:00, so there’s plenty of time to come back from a ride, shower, and still head out. Lunch and dinner that day were both from food trucks, with plenty of snacking in between (unhealthy, we know).
Note: This account is written from the perspective of riders participating from Japan.
Day 3｜Honolulu Century Ride
Around 1,300 riders, same as last year
←Opening remarks | Photographer Shigeta-san rolled in on a Brompton→
And so, my second Honolulu Century Ride…!
This year’s theme: linger in the places worth lingering in. The course is nearly identical to last year’s, so I already know what’s where. Rather than rushing through Hawaii’s roads, it pays more to stop longer at the good spots.
Brutal wind
Seriously…?
Despite that laid-back theme, this day started with wild winds howling from the morning. Even heading to the venue I was shoved around by gusts. Could I actually finish today??
Can’t even lift it
In the headwind sections I barely moved forward, and then a sidewind would slam in and nearly knock me off balance. I didn’t crash, but by the time the wind calmed down in the first half, my legs and my focus were already pretty drained.
Hanauma Bay
Unlike last year when I got too hyped and bolted off the line, this time I started calmly.
The wind was intense, but Hanauma Bay was still a stunner. The terrain feels like a crater locked in a struggle with the ocean, and looking down from above, you can see the waves crashing wildly inside the bay. The early morning timing was perfect too: the ocean’s blue was deeply saturated, the mountain ridgeline behind rose into relief, and I think it was the hour when the contrast between sea and mountain is at its sharpest all day.
This is where I stopped the longest. Watching the other riders pass me by, I just stood there and took in the bay for a while. I burned some time early on, but figured I’d make it back later (although in the end a mechanical issue made it come down to the wire).
Quintessential Hawaii
The blue sea along Kamehameha Highway!
The crosswalk spells ALOHA…!
Wilhelmina Rise, a monster climb right in the city. The final stretch apparently holds above 20%
Aid stations every 20 km
HCR sets up aid stations every 20 km. That spacing is genuinely a gift: you can finish the ride without really planning your nutrition at all.
What’s on offer centers on carbs and fruit, which is more than enough for the first half, but once you’re deeper in you start craving protein and salt.
This year I brought salami along, and you can also pick things up at convenience stores along the way, so it’s smart to source some food outside the aid stations as needed.
The aid stations buzz with riders
The turnaround aid at the 80 km mark. The strong wind had clearly piled on the fatigue
The later stations stocked saltier snacks than last year, which was a lifesaver
Note: This account is written from the perspective of riders participating from Japan.
The final 15km, a nonstop dancing festival (ascension)
The saddle angle is off. A pretty defeated look on my face…
At the 15km-to-go mark, my saddle suddenly tilted.
The seating surface stayed tipped backward and down, and no matter how much force I applied, it wouldn’t go back. Every time I tried to sit, the saddle jabbed straight into my backside (crying). In the end, I had no choice but to dance my way through the entire remaining section.
Having already covered 145km, honestly I nearly cried. My legs were fading but I couldn’t rest in the saddle. The other two slowed down for me, looked after me, and somehow carried me to the finish. I owe them everything.
*For what it’s worth, after returning home I took the seatpost to my shop, and they said they’d never seen this before. They’re currently checking with the distributor, so I’ll add an update once things are clear.
We made it!
So that’s how it ended, barely scraping across the finish line, but a ride of this volume still delivers deep satisfaction. For a sense of what all 160km of the full course looks like, please refer to last year’s article.
Day 4｜White waves and Waikiki Beach (Aloha)
The final day dawned clear. Calm winds, picture-perfect Hawaiian weather.
In the morning I went swimming at Waikiki Beach (another long-standing wish). Regretting that last year I’d only been able to dip my feet in, this time I brought a swimsuit.
I stayed on the beach for about two hours. Maybe because it was still early, the crowd was sparse. The waves were gentle, so I just lay back and floated.
Time where I didn’t have to think about anything was something I hadn’t experienced in ages. The rides, the shoots, every kind of work piling up back home, I emptied all of it and let myself drift on the water. I felt happy, and at the same time a sudden, genuine sadness hit me: “I don’t want to go back.”
To be honest, since this was my second HCR, the thrill and freshness were less than last year. But by the final day I realized this was a place I’d truly been longing to come to, and I’d been enjoying myself the entire stay.
The time with friends and HCR itself were part of it, but the warmth of the locals also kept pulling me through. Eyes meet, smiles exchange, people strike up conversations anywhere, and when you’re in trouble, they help.
Maybe that’s just the pretty top layer of Hawaii, but even so, I could feel the murky stuff that had built up inside me from daily life being slowly washed away.
Miso soup
On the flight home, they served miso soup.
Into a body that had been devouring rich, heavy flavors for four days, the warmth and aroma of dashi seeped in. I can still vividly recall that sense of relief, the feeling of my body returning to where it belonged. I was surprised that miso soup could evoke this kind of emotion, and at the same time, I understood that the trip was over.
Even as my second HCR, this year turned out to be a completely different journey from last year’s. I was able to enjoy the local experience more deeply, carve out slower moments, and brush up against a lot of human kindness. I hope that next year, too, I can cross the ocean and return to that place.
Team / Tats, Anna, & Saad
text & photo / Tats
powered by Global Ride
