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With an expected mileage of 29 miles from 400 ft elevation to Hilo's sea level, we expected the day to be easier. What complicated the day was waking up to a strom front passing the area. It was going to be a wet ride ! Again breakfast was at the cafeteria with the local favorites. Aside from being inside the National Park, the quality of the lodging at KMC surpasses our expectation. Definitely a "best value" accomodation in the island. We started out past 10 AM with a slight drizzle. We were hoping it was just the fog at this elevation. But as we continued down on the descent to Hilo, we knew it was going to be extremely wet. |
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On the upside, there was nothing to complain against road conditions. Well paved roads with wide shoulders. Traffic very light and motorists we're giving us our shoulder space. As you barrell down the road pedal free, smell the wild orchid patches growing on the roadside. Even in the rain, their smell was so strong. Too bad it was raining too hard for us to stop. A few miles down, we stop by an orchid green house frequented by tour groups. It was a good place to see the orchid variety in the island and at the same time find shelter in the rain. As we were about to leave the orchid place, it started to REALLY pour. It was raining so hard that the roads started to flood. |
This part of the island definitley gets more rain than the Kona side. Carrying foldeable pocket sized ponchos is a good thing to carry rather than bulkier and fancier cycling rain gear. Even at its worst, it's warm rain so chances of catching a cold is slim. As for footwear, cycling sandals is definitely the way to go. Most of the group wearing tennies and cleated cycling shoes ended up with wet shoes at the end of the day. Tomorrow they will be riding in damp unconfortable footwear.
Past halfway at Mountain View, the rain let's up and we are able to remove the capes. Our legs were now black from the road overspray.
Before lunch and about 4 miles before
Hilo, we do a 3 mile detour into the Mauna Loa Macadamia
Factory. They have a self guided tour which shows how the
nuts are processed. Most of the process is still done by
hand explaining its high quality and price. Traffic definitley increases as
we get closer to Hilo. Hilo is the island's capital
where most jobs are. It is now 3 lanes each way
with a lot more traffic. But they still manage to
keep wide shoulders. Tonight's lodging is at a
plantation type hotel -Wild Ginger Inn, close to
the old downtown. A bit basic and funky. Thin
walls, old beds and bathrooms needing renovation
but clean. At $37 a room including a basic
breakfast, can't complain. We walk through the old
downtown after doing laundry. Downtown is small and
seems to have been in a time warp. A cinema that
shows a movie once a night, small shops that open
on their whim and restaurants that locals
frequent. Tonight's dinner was at Tsunami
Grill, a Japaneese restaurant with huge portions at
a small price. A definite "must-eat" place in
downtown Hilo.
