Keep climbing! 84 cyclists complete Pedal to the Meadow

LIHU‘E — Over Memorial Day weekend, 84 cyclists took to the Westside for the 2011 edition of the Pedal to the Meadow.

Starting in Kekaha on May 29, riders traversed the flat and not-so-flat curves all the way to Koke‘e State Park, covering a total of 15.75 miles.

Arriving first at the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow was Honolulu’s Ray Brust in a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, 47.5 seconds. His overall top finish also gave him the win in the Golden Masters men 50+ division.

Coming in second less than a minute behind Brust was Rick Alika Beach, with a time of 1:08:38.1. Beach was the 2010 first-place finisher at the inaugural Pedal to the Meadow.

Tony Lang followed shortly behind in third (1:10:25.8).

Some of Kaua‘i’s top men finishers included Troy Keipinger in fourth (1:12:16.6), Joe Funk in seventh (1:14:52.1) and Naoshi Kaiuiokalani Grady in 14th (1:17:57.7).

Beach was the top finisher in the Senior Men 1,2,3 and Master Men 1,2,3 division, while Michael Angrove took first (1:14:43.9) in the Senior Men 4,5 and Master Men 4,5 division.

Kaua‘i’s Hank Soboleski finished ninth (1:34:01.9) in the Golden Master men 50+ division.

Patricia Jennings was the first woman to cross the finish line, reaching the meadow in 1:29:40.5. Monique Van der Aa was within shouting distance in second (1:30:18.6) and Jo Cinter took third place (1:32:00.1).

Fourth-place finisher Pamela Kruse (1:34:55.0) and fifth-place finisher Lois Lutz (1:35:11.5) are each Kaua‘i riders.

When the cyclists arrived at their destination, completing the climb of more than 3,800 feet in elevation, they were able to head right to the Banana Poka Round-Up festival hosted by Koke‘e Museum and Hui o Laka. Food, crafts, exhibits and live music highlighted the festival.

Dr. Binnie Williamson and Mary Williamson organized the race, partnering with Tradewind Cycling Team of Honolulu.

For full race results and photos, visit www.pedaltothemeadow.com.