Today was scheduled as an optional riding day to allow for riders to explore the area on their own. There were two optional rides of about 20 or 40 miles. Alan and I chose the 20 mile option and added about 10 miles cycling south of Kona. We finished with 29 miles for the day. A local point of interest suggested by the ride leaders was the Pine Tree Cafe. It has been voted Best of West Hawaii since 2018. Alan and I each ordered the banana pancakes; they were scrumptious. We cycled to a local beach on the north side of Kona and then doubled back. Once back in town, we headed south on Ali’i drive for about five miles. I wanted to show Alan where some of my Coast to Coast friends posed for a group photo at the Kamakahuna Beach. (About a dozen of us cycled the Big Island in 2020 just prior to Covid). Unfortunately, there has been wave damage since 2020 and we could not recreate an identical photo.
Wawaloli Beach Park near the ten mile mark.
The nondescript entrance is deceiving for this favorite local eatery.
Archeological/Historical sites are located along the coastline of Hawaii. This one is located at White Sands Beach.
The place where some of my Coast to Coast friends posed for a group photo at the Kamakahuna Beach in 2020.
Near Homlualoa, we stopped at a roadside food truck where Alan treated me to a Pina Colada flavored shaved ice. It was refreshing on the warm afternoon.
This farmers stand with fruit and fresh cut flowers was near the food truck.
Sunset as seen from the Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar where we had the evening rider meeting.
The same location after sunset with lights that shone into the ocean surf.
My meal, a poke stack was more than I could finish. Alan had fish tacos that were just as filling.