It would be difficult to top the evening adventure to the Volcano and the start of the ride did not. First, Alan’s shifting continued to be problematic carrying over from the prior days (the back cassette refused to budge), and then it rained. However, I couldn’t complain too much, because I think I only had to pedal about 10 of the 34 miles. It was almost all downhill from Volcano. It only rained for about 9 or 10 miles and then warmed right up from the 60 degrees at ride start. Alan and I had planned to do about 50 miles, but with the shifting issues we changed to the 34 mile route. We stopped at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Orchard & Factory. We tried a few free samples and had some macadamia nut milk ice cream. We ended relatively early in the day; Alan helped unload luggage from the rental truck. We had a few drinks in the Hilo Hawaiian hotel bar. I stayed at this hotel in 2020 with a group of cycling friends and the happy hour was very different then; fond memories and now new ones. We went to dinner at a local sushi restaurant. The restaurant was teeming with locals. Understandably so, as the food was absolutely delicious. We had three rolls, two of which were recommended by our waiter: Hawaiian roll, Fantastic roll (both recommended) and the rainbow roll. I would highly recommend the Sakura Sushi & Grill.
Alan, and a few other riders as well left the Mauna Loa Visitor Center.
Alan had the coffee flavored, and I had the strawberry guava non-dairy ice cream.
Julie from Coast to Coast is in the middle.
Views inside the packaging plant.
Macadamia nuts in the tree. Did you know it takes 300 pounds of pressure per square inch to crack the nuts? Or that the shells are used to fuel the onsite boilers as a form of renewable energy for the plant?
We cycled past these chickens, each with their own protective shelter.
This banyan tree planted in October 1933 is just outside the hotel.
The view from outside our hotel room.