How do you explore Hawaii?
A rental car is certainly convenient. You can drive from Waikiki to the North Shore in just half a day. But on a bicycle, the very same roads make you feel as though you’re discovering a completely different island.
Scenery that flashes by in seconds from a car lingers with you at the pace of pedaling. You notice the scent of the trade winds, the sound of the waves, and the subtle rhythm of the island in a way that’s impossible behind the wheel.
Perhaps that’s why the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR)—one of Hawaii’s signature sporting events—has attracted cyclists from around the world for more than 40 years. The real appeal isn’t simply completing the 160 km course. It’s experiencing Oahu in a way that’s only possible by bicycle.
The route is filled with places that make you want to stop and simply take it all in.
The first is Diamond Head, which comes into view just after daybreak. Riding alongside the ocean as the morning sky glows with the colors of sunrise is one of the most magical moments of the event—a fleeting window of time that belongs to the Honolulu Century Ride alone.
After pedaling toward the headland in the early morning darkness, you’re rewarded with the moment the sun breaks over the horizon. It’s an encounter with sunrise that simply can’t be experienced from behind the wheel of a car.
Around the 20 km mark, riders reach Sandy Beach, where the first aid station awaits against the backdrop of crashing surf. It’s the perfect place to enjoy one of Hawaii’s favorite treats—a freshly made malasada—while taking in the view of the Pacific.
For riders choosing the 40 km course, this is the turnaround point. With plenty of food and refreshments available at the aid station, it’s easy to slow down, enjoy the beach, and treat the stop like a relaxed seaside morning picnic.
Beyond that lies Makapuʻu Point, one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire course. Below, the Pacific stretches to the horizon in countless shades of blue, making it a place where even veteran participants find themselves stopping year after year to take another photograph.
From here, the road begins a thrilling descent with panoramic ocean views—a reward every cyclist looks forward to after the climb.
After another climb, the scenery changes dramatically. Leaving the coastline behind, the route enters the lush countryside around Waimānalo, where quiet roads shaded by trees offer a welcome change of pace.
Here, you catch glimpses of everyday local life, far removed from the bustle of Honolulu. Pedaling at an unhurried pace, you’ll discover a gentler side of Hawaii nestled at the foot of the mountains—a side of the island that is best experienced by bicycle.
Near the turnaround point for the 100-mile course, around Swanzy Beach Park, riders are treated to one of Oahu’s grandest landscapes, where the dramatic cliffs of the Koʻolau Range meet the coastline. Many participants describe this stretch as the most beautiful section of the entire island.
For riders on the 80 km course, this is the finish line. You can enjoy an onigiri at the aid station—if there are any left!—or pick up some local deli favorites from the Seven-Eleven across the road. Then, as local residents relax by the gently rolling waves, you can take a moment to reflect on the morning’s ride in one of Hawaii’s most peaceful settings.
Global Ride has also explored Hawaii from a variety of perspectives: a first-time rider’s travel diary, the unique scenery that can only be experienced on the 80 km course, photographer Eigo Shimojo’s visual journey across the islands, and a guide to riding the North Shore before or after the event. We invite you to enjoy these stories alongside this article.
A rental car may get you there faster. But some views can only be discovered by bicycle.
If you’re planning your next trip to Hawaii, why not add a cycling adventure to your itinerary?
Long after you return home, chances are you won’t remember how many kilometers you rode. Instead, you’ll remember the scent of the ocean breeze, the changing colors of the sea, and the moments you experienced from the saddle, one pedal stroke at a time.
Text_Global Ride Editorial Team
Photos_Eigo Shimojo
Post Date：2026.07.06
