Group plans to pedal from Kee to Kokee

It will be Kauai’s version of the Grand Fondo.

That’s one way to describe it. Other might call it crazy, just plain nuts.

Either way, it’s going to be a long day. Because Chet Myers and a handful of friends plan to ride from Kee Beach parking lot to Kokee Sunday morning. That’s about a 100 miles or so, saving the steepest, most difficult climb for the end.

“If you like challenges, you’ll love this ride,” he said.

No kidding. Considering the heat, the hills and the traffic, survival itself might be in question.

The group plans to start pedaling about 9 a.m., and expects to arrive at Kokee some seven hours later, where they’ll enjoy a well-deserved celebration.

Myers said others are welcome to join the bicyclists, who plan to travel around 15 mph, a steady clip on Kauai’s highways.

“We’ll hit a pace we can sustain,” he said.

They want to get an early start before traffic gets too heavy on Kuhio Highway on the North Shore. The goal is to stick together, but no guarantees.

“It’s easier riding in a group,” he said.

There will be recovery stops along the way, including the Kapaa swimming pool, and stores in Lawai and Kekaha.

Still, even with the rests, there will be some sore backs and butts after this one.

Naturally, one must ask, why are they doing this?

That’s simple. Because they’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and because they haven’t yet. And they’re not sure if anyone else has, either.

“Just to do it,” Myers said. “We finally decided to do it.”

Myers is an avid cyclist and pedals the road up Waimea Canyon weekly.

“I love the canyon. You can’t beat the scenery,” he said.

He has cycled from his Lihue home to the North Shore and back, and from Lihue to the South Shore and back. But never from Kee to Kokee.

So, he thought, what the heck.

“We’re going to go and see if we can make it,” he said.

Anyone else up for this challenge?

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