The final installment of the Honolulu Century Ride 2024 rider interviews concludes with the experiences of advanced cyclists.
What do veteran riders, who have participated in this event five, ten times, feel about it? What aspects keep drawing them back? We asked veteran participants about the allure and unique ways to enjoy the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), often described as “the greatest ride event on Earth.”
“Why do you keep coming back to cycle in Hawaii?”

Table of Contents

１. The Reason a New Employee Took on His First Ride / Keisuke-san
２. A Goal Carried Over to 2025 / Kenji-san, Keiko-san
３. Riding Solo, Yet Never Alone—A Story on the Road / Dankichi-san

１. The Reason a New Employee Took on His First Ride / Keisuke-san

“I thought about making the Honolulu Century Ride a company trip and invited all the staff. The only one who raised their hand was him, though!”

Keisuke-san, who runs a hospital in the Kyushu region, is a big fan of the Honolulu Century Ride. He completed the 100-mile (160 km) ride last year as well.

“Once you ride it, you’ll understand—there’s no other place where you can have such a great ride. I thought if I invited everyone to the company trip, they’d all want to join, but that wasn’t the case!”
That’s a bit disappointing… but what a generous gesture!

Keisuke-san, with a slightly disappointed expression, is a regular, so he knows HCR well. Even during the interview, the conversation about Honolulu and the event never ran out, and he even joked about going for a poke bowl afterward.
“When you participate in an event in Japan, you have to take a plane, right? You end up staying one or two nights before or after the event, and with meals, souvenirs, and everything else, it really adds up. If you’re going to spend that much, why not come to Hawaii and ride? It’s way better. Plus, you get this amazing breeze!”
His passion for the HCR was overflowing even before the race started.

Putting Keisuke’s passion aside, for his colleagues who had no prior cycling experience, the idea of participating in a ride event, especially one overseas, seemed like a high hurdle. Despite the director’s suggestion falling flat, the person who raised their hand to participate was the new employee, Seiken.

“I thought it would be nice to ride while enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian sea.”

Though a beginner at road biking, Seiken trained for the event and took part. What’s more, he traveled to Oahu with the director, sharing both accommodations and the schedule for the entire trip. Normally, most people would avoid such a situation—being in Hawaii with just their boss—but Seiken seemed to find it no trouble at all. What a wonderful relationship they have!

Although it didn’t turn into a company trip, it was meaningful for those who made the proposal to see even one employee take the first step toward realizing their dream.

The event, where the two completed the 100-mile ride together, became a memorable one. After crossing the finish line, the joy of completing the ride was evident on Seiken’s face, and beside him, Keisuke naturally spoke with enthusiasm. “Make sure to tell everyone about the great aspects of this event, and hopefully, next time we can come as a company trip!”

The dream continues…!

We look forward to having the entire staff participate in 2025! 🌈

２. A Goal Carried Over to 2025 / Kenji-san, Keiko-san

In the 2024 HCR, there was a duo who overcame an unexpected incident.
Kenji-san and Keiko-san, each participating for the 7th time, are familiar faces to both the editorial team and the event organizers. They are among the riders we exchanged greetings with, saying, “It’s great to see you again this year!”

During the event, they left a strong impression, cheering on other riders at aid stations, savoring the food, and enjoying the event with plenty of ease. Frequent visitors to Hawaii, they seemed to have a tradition of staying for an extended, fulfilling trip, which often included activities like hiking in addition to cycling.
“The highlight of our year is coming to Hawaii to enjoy HCR and everything around it,” they shared. This year’s additional challenge was climbing one of the Pillbox trails* after completing the 160 km ride.

And then, the big day arrived. It was just past noon.

The editorial team had finished their coverage at Swanzy Beach Park, the turnaround point for the 100-mile ride, and was driving along the highway in a media vehicle toward the finish line. As we wondered if the fastest riders might already be arriving, an ambulance with its siren blaring passed us in the opposite direction.

We would later learn that the ambulance was on its way to pick up Kenji, who had crashed.
Just a short distance from Swanzy Beach Park, Kenji hit a crack in the road and was thrown forward.
“When I came to, the ambulance was already there, and I don’t remember anything after that,” he later recalled.

It was fortunate that there were no life-threatening injuries. The vehicle immediately headed to the city’s ER, and afterward, event staff rushed to the scene, arranging for the bicycle to be transported to the finish area. The first to call the ambulance was a local volunteer.

After being discharged from the hospital and seeing his damaged bicycle at the hotel, he remarked, “Wow, I really went all out. Even I’m surprised.” This alone speaks to the impact of the crash. Seeing the severe scratches on his helmet, he realized the importance of proper gear. Above all, we are simply relieved that he is safe.

Accidents are an inevitable part of sports events, not just cycling. While there is no denying that the two of them went through a difficult experience due to a major crash, being familiar with the event staff may have added a small but meaningful touch to their interactions.

Having participated multiple times and built strong connections with fellow riders and staff, they continued to communicate like family even after the event ended. Perhaps it is the heartwarming atmosphere of the Honolulu Century Ride itself that fosters such bonds.

Although they were unable to fulfill their goal of climbing the Pillbox last year, they successfully completed the TOKYO RAINBOW RIDE at the end of the year and have already registered for the 2025 HCR. The editorial team sincerely hopes that this year, they will not only cross the finish line but also fully enjoy Hawaii, making up for the past two years.

*Pillbox – A small machine-gun bunker built during World War II. Since it is located on elevated ground, it now serves as a scenic viewpoint and a popular tourist attraction.

３. Riding Solo, Yet Never Alone—A Story on the Road / Dankichi-san

Danki-chi, who attended the VIP party hosted by JAL, the official sponsor of the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), was attending solo. This year marked their 14th participation, starting from their 30s.

“There are people who participate every year, just like me. I come to Hawaii with the expectation of meeting them again, so even if I’m alone, I can still enjoy myself.”

Danki-chi’s first participation was in 2009. A complete novice to road cycling, he read an article about HCR in a magazine and was immediately captivated. He quickly bought a bike and began training. After experiencing the winds and atmosphere of Hawaii, he was so moved that participating in HCR became an almost annual tradition for him.

“Honestly, it feels like I work hard every year just to come here.”

Having participated 13 times, there have been various experiences. HCR is generally blessed with good weather, but in 2015, Oahu Island was hit by a storm. Every time he met familiar riders at the aid stations, they would encourage each other while freezing, saying, “The rain won’t stop,” and “This is tough.”
There was also a year when he ran out of spare tubes and couldn’t find a place to buy new ones along the way, constantly worrying until he reached the finish line. Each year has its own drama, and it’s never just about completing the race.
Even so, the reason he keeps coming back every year is the unparalleled scenery and the bright, friendly atmosphere of this event.

“I think Hawaii and the Honolulu Century Ride are great because you can enjoy them even when you’re on your own.”

It’s mostly about being alone, but surrounded by friends. As a veteran rider, this is how Dankichi enjoys HCR.
What kind of drama will unfold in 2025, I wonder.

Photo_HONOLULU CENTURY RIDE / HM-A

🚲Honolulu Century Ride 2024 Rider Interview
・ First-Time Participants #01
・ First-Time Participants #02
・ Intermediate Participants
・Advanced Participants

Post Date：2025.02.28