LIHUE — Mark Galedo of the Philippines plans on being in the pack when the 4th Annual Pedal to the Meadow takes off, Sunday. Galedo, the two-time tour champion of the Philippines, arrived Wednesday afternoon and spent Thursday on an
LIHUE — Mark Galedo of the Philippines plans on being in the pack when the 4th Annual Pedal to the Meadow takes off, Sunday.
Galedo, the two-time tour champion of the Philippines, arrived Wednesday afternoon and spent Thursday on an uphill climb on the route from Kekaha to Kokee, said Angelo Cattigay of the Kauai Philippines Island Hawaii Island bicycle racing club.
“He liked the route,” Cattigay said. “He started out with a few PIHI escorts, but soon left them.”
One of the escort riders said Galedo was moving at 18 mph when they lost him.
Galedo arrived on the island with his support group, which included team owner Bong Sual, manager Gary Advincula and team analyst Froi Dayco.
Wednesday, they were greeted by some of the riders in the event as well as Pedal to the Meadow founders Vinny and Mary Williamson, and one of the event sponsors, Bruce Ort of Kauai Cycles, who presented Galedo with a sponsor shirt.
“I’m glad that people get excited about this event,” Mary said. “It’s growing in popularity each year.”
She said online registration for the Kauai uphill climb race closed Wednesday night and racers wanting to participate will now have to register during the packet pick-up days or on race day.
Packet pick-up days are scheduled for from 3 to 5 p.m today. and on Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. at Kauai Cycle, one of the event sponsors, located at 934 Kuhio Highway in Kapaa. Registration is $45 per rider, and riders need a USA Cycline license.
Check-in opens at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center with the mass start taking place at 8 a.m. at the Kokee Road junction at the haul cane road in Kekaha, finishing nearly 16 miles later near the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokee, a climb from sea level to 3,835 feet.
Race directors anticipate the course record of 1 hour, 3 minutes could be broken this year, states a Pedal release.
“Most of the top climbers from around Hawaii are coming to tackle the climb along with a few from the Mainland and the Philippines national champion,” Mary said. “For cyclist safety and minimal driver frustration, it is best if folks use the Waimea side road between 8 and 9:30 a.m. Please be extra alert, careful and considerate, especially on blind corners, at narrow spots, intersections, scenic lookouts, and at the entrance to the meadow by Kokee Museum.”
Mary said motorists should not weave and out. Race organizers also welcome folks to cheer the cyclists. They need to be in position well before the cyclists are anticipated to pass by. Cars, dogs, and waving arms should be completely off the road.
Visit www.pedaltothemeadow.com for more information, or email p2mKauai@gmail.com.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
