2017 Bike Course
Stage I Bike Course 2017 Profile (click for larger view)
Bike Course description:
BIKE I: Near the swim finish are the showers and changing area, then it is just a short distance to the transition area where the bikes and land teams await the start of the 90 mile (145 kilometer) cross-country course. Initially, there is a steep climb (1,500 feet in 7.6 miles) to the town of Captain Cook (elevation 1500′) ten miles to the south.
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Thereafter, the course remains relatively level as it winds through South Kona on Highway 11, past coffee farms and through lush forests of native ohia and koa trees. In this 20-mile section, the slow-moving traffic and narrow highway (shoulders are poor or non-existent in some areas) will probably present the greatest challenges. However, at mile 31, the road widens considerably and, shortly thereafter, passes directly through one of the world’s largest macadamia nut orchards as it continues south. In stark contrast, at mile 43, the lush green topography is suddenly interrupted by broad expanses of lava; strong winds and rain may also have to be reckoned with in this area. In view is South Point (Ka Lae), southernmost tip of land in the United States and first landfall of the ancient Polynesians. Rounding this point, at an elevation of 2000-ft, riders will again encounter narrowed pavement as they begin a descent to the right-hand turn onto South Point Road.
Then, a fast, high-speed 1.7-mile descent to the left-hand turn onto Kamaoa Road and a 4-mile ride to the junction of Hwy 11 in Waiohinu, then a right turn back onto Hwy 11. Ride through the town of Na’alehu and continue past the sea cliffs at Honuapo. Mile 60 is near sea level, and here the highway widens again. A few miles ahead, at Ninole junction, a short loop through the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach area gives a brief respite from the highway before the route begins to move further inland as the final climb (4000′ in 27 miles) begins toward the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Although the winds should decrease, the combination of the climb, along with a probability of rain/fog and colder temperatures (and approaching darkness for some, since sunset is about one hour before the cutoff time) will make the last miles long and hard. Near the crest (at 3950′) and just at mile 90, there is a final RIGHT turn in to the finish chute at Kilauea Military Camp for the finish of Stage 1
Ultraman Bike Day 1 Briefing 2017
Day 2 Bike start time is 6:30 a.m. (12 hour limit)
Stage II Bike Course Profile (click for larger view)
Day 2/ STAGE II (12 hours limit)
BIKE II: This portion of the bike course covers 171.4 miles (275.6 kilometers) as it continues from the National Park along the eastern coast of the island, to Hawi in North Kohala. It begins at 6:30 a.m. at Pi’I Mauna Dr. Here, morning temperatures are likely to be in the 50’s or lower but will warm up rapidly. For safety reasons, team vehicles will be sent out five minutes ahead of the cyclists to wait for their participants near mile 24. As there is a long descent from Volcanoes National Park (elevation 4078’) to this point (below 2000’) riders will cover this distance quickly. From that point, teams and riders will be able to continue together northeast on Highway 11 towards Hilo. At mile 24, after descending about 3400 feet, the course will make a right turn at a traffic light onto Highway 130 at the town of Keaau.
Heading in a southeasterly direction, following signs to Kalapana, riders and their teams will travel along a relatively level 11- mile section of road and bear left in the roundabout to stay on the Pahoa bypass. They will continue south for 8 miles on Highway 130 toward Kalapana. Here riders will make a left turn towards the ocean (where the lava cut across the highway), a quick right turn and then turn left again on the coast road, Highway 137, where it becomes the infamous “red road” (so named for the red cinders originally used in the paving) for 10 miles to Pohoiki Road. At Pohoiki Road, course continues straight for 5 miles along the coast on Highway 137 (a portion of which can be underwater at high tide) to turn inland again on Highway 132, near the town of Kapoho. This 8-mile stretch of road will take them back to the junction of Highway 130 once again, and after turning right at the light onto the Pahoa bypass highway, riders and teams will follow the signs to Keaau and once again travel past exotic anthurium and orchid farms, rejoining Highway 11 via the bypass around Keaau. Heading into the city of Hilo on a divided highway, there will be a series of traffic lights and greatly increased traffic. At the junction of Highways 11 and 19, participants and their crews will continue straight across the intersection onto Banyan Drive, which takes them past the resort hotels in Hilo. After passing the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a right turn will take the route through Liliuokalani Gardens, past Coconut Island exiting onto Lihiwai Street. At the traffic light intersection of Highway 19, turn right onto Kamehameha Avenue and cross the bridge over the Wailoa River. Cyclists will continue straight onto the Bayfront Highway (vehicles prohibited) and crew vehicles will continue on Kamehameha Avenue to make a right turn on Pauahi Street to join up with the Bayfront Highway (Route 19) and turn left (north) towards Honoka’a. Leaving Hilo, the final traffic light is just before the bridge over the Wailuku River. (NOTE: RIDERS USE CAUTION ON THIS STEEL MESH BRIDGE). The course then continues north on Highway 19, paralleling the dramatic Hamakua Coast with its steep cliffs and cascading waterfalls. In this area, riders will pass several dramatic gulches and lush valleys, which may also present some interesting challenges; strong winds, rain, mud, narrow bridges, and lots of weekend traffic. Obviously, the Hamakua Coast should cause everyone to be extra cautious! Turning inland at Honokaa, the course begins a long uphill climb (1800’ in 13 miles) into the ranchlands of picturesque Waimea. In this vicinity, and continuing to the end of the stage, there is a high probability that riders will encounter the hazards of wind, rain, and perhaps fog, accompanied by lower air temperatures. In Waimea itself, Highway 19 turns right at a traffic light (Shell & Chevron gas stations), and then bears left by the park and Parker School, and 2 miles ahead, another right turn will take riders on to Highway 250, past Hawaii Preparatory Academy campus. Here the road shoulders disappear, and the pavement becomes considerably narrower as it winds 6 miles up the Kohala Mountains to the crest at 3564 feet. A gradual rolling descent begins here and continues for the next 13 miles through a tunnel of Ironwood trees and lush ranch land. At the junction of Route 250 and Kinnersly Road, the course continues straight onto Kinnersly Road with a rapid downhill to the junction with Route 270. SLOW DOWN before you approach the bottom of the hill, as there is a stop sign at the junction of Route 270 where you will make a right turn on to Route 270 and continue for approximately 1 mile before making a left turn into Kamehameha Park and the finish area of Stage II.
