34x32 Low Gears and 3 Climbs - last

To test out my new "lo lo" gears, I did 3 of the steeper climbs on Oahu.

1) First up was Waialae Iki ridge to the guard shack. Didn't want to hassle with the guard about going all the way to the top so I just hung a you-e here. I did it mainly in my 34x24 and 28. I remember climbing here with a 39x25 in the past and it is a real ball buster with those gears...but very very manageable with my new gearset.


Waialae Iki (780 ft) - Guard Shack
Originally uploaded by dancedream2002.

Waialae Iki Drive near guard shack.
Waialae Iki
Map: Map of Waialae Iki Climb
Max. Elevation: 780'
Elevation gain: 770'
Distance: 2.7 km
Avg. Grade: 8.7%
Max. Grade: 15%


2) Next was Hale Koa Ridge - a first time ascent for me and I must say, this road has got to be the steepest sustained climb on the Island! I took over 20 minutes grinding away in my 34x32. It was hard to keep the front end pointed straight due to the mini-wheelies I was pulling!


Halekoa Dr. (1,300 ft) - Top
Originally uploaded by dancedream2002.

Top of Halekoa Drive.


Hale Koa Drive - 1/2 Way
Originally uploaded by dancedream2002.

Part of the way up...the picture doesn't do any justice to the steepness of the road!

Halekoa Ridge
Map: Map of Halekoa Drive Climb
Max. Elevation: 1,300'
Elevation gain: 1,170'
Distance: 3.2 km
Avg. Grade: 11.3%
Max. Grade: 16%


3) After Hale Koa, I went straight up Wilhelmina Rise! That was another very steep but shorter step climb. For just the Wilhelmina Rise section, the average grade was close to 15%. These stats are if you include the loop to the top of Maunawili Heights.


Maunawili Heights (1,045 ft) - Top
Originally uploaded by dancedream2002.

At the top of Maunawili Heights, near the entrance to the Maunawili Trail.

Wilhelmina Rise w/ Maunawili Loop
Map: Map of Wilhelmina Rise Climb
Max. Elevation: 1,045'
Elevation Gain: 845'
Distance: 2.0 km
Avg. Grade: 13.2%
Max. Grade: 18%


Overall, the mtb gearing on the road bike worked perfectly as I was able to keep my power down (230-250ish) and still not be lugging the steep parts too badly...kind of what I expect (hope???) to be doing on the 17% sections of Mauna Kea. I just hope my 34x32 gearing is low enough...cause I would hate to walk!