This is the second installment in our series featuring trip notes from riders participating in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.
Our guest this time is Kinuyo, a passionate cyclist who has joined the HCR many times and loves Hawaii so much that she often visits with her family. As a tour support staff member for Tobu Top Tours, she is admired by many riders for her wealth of cycling knowledge and warm communication.
Every year, she rides the full HCR course on her road bike—but this year, she decided, “I want to ride with my daughters!” Her plan: to place her 7-year-old on the back seat of an e-bike and have her 12-year-old pedal on her own. Joined by her husband, who would tackle the full round trip on a road bike, the family of four set off for Hawaii with a fully supported tour package in hand.

Here is the heartwarming trip note of a family who pedaled together—cheering each other on through their Honolulu Century Ride adventure.

5 nights, 7 days / Riding 80 km in Honolulu with My Two Schoolgirls
Note by_Kinuyo

Date	Itinerary
Day 1	Travel	Night: Depart from Japan
	Event	Morning: Arrive in Honolulu Lunch with an acai bowl / Enjoy Waikiki Beach
Day 2	Join the tour	Shopping / BBQ / Fireworks viewing
Day 3	Join the tour	Cycling workshop / Visit Izumo Taisha / Short ride with lunch & shopping
Day 4	Event	Participate in Honolulu Century Ride 2025
Day 5	Join the tour	Cycling to Tantalus Hill and the North Shore
Day 6	Travel	Depart from Honolulu
Day 7	Travel	Night: Arrive in Japan

The Honolulu Century Ride runs along the stunning eastern coast of Oahu—a route so beautiful that no matter how many times you ride it, it never fails to move you and leave you with a great sense of accomplishment. Each time I rode it, I found myself wishing I could share that experience with my children.

Among the e-bikes available for rent locally, some models allow a child to ride comfortably on the back seat. I realized that if my younger daughter, now in her first year of elementary school, could sit on the rear seat, perhaps my sixth-grade daughter and I could ride the course together.
When I brought up the idea, my younger daughter’s eyes lit up in excitement, and even my usually hesitant elder daughter was unusually enthusiastic. And so, without much hesitation, our family decided to take on this grand adventure.

The course is set up as an out-and-back, with turnaround points determining the distance options of 25, 50, 75, or 100 miles. The most beautiful section is near the turnaround of the 100-mile course along the coastline of the Kualoa area. I want my children to see that view.

Since there’s a plan that allows you to ride 50 miles one way and take a bus back, I decided to challenge myself with the 50-mile ride. My husband will ride the full course on his road bike, while we take a fully supported tour, and the four of us will head to Hawaii together!

Our eldest daughter usually only rides her bike for short, everyday trips, but she has been taking swimming lessons since preschool, so her stamina should be fairly good. At first, she seemed a bit nervous, but after trying out rides along the nearby riverside cycling paths and tackling routes with some gentle ups and downs—stopping at cafes along the way—she gradually got used to riding and gained confidence. The course itself doesn’t have any particularly tough climbs, and we’ve often seen brides on their honeymoon join on rental bikes and successfully complete the ride. Surely, the Hawaiian air will give her an extra boost.

On the day of our trip to Hawaii, we checked in at the airport in the evening. With all sorts of worries, our luggage had grown a bit, but we were able to check it in without any issues. Facing the Hawaii trip—and the challenges that lay beyond—the children, filled with a mix of nerves, anxiety, and excitement, boarded the plane in a slightly exhilarated state.

Thursday, September 25
We arrived in Honolulu, dropped off our luggage at the hotel, and headed out into the city. We strolled through The Waikiki, where beaches, greenery, and shops blend seamlessly, and had lunch at TROPICAL TRIBE—an acai bowl enjoyed while gazing at the beach. The acai, mixed with Brazilian juice at this shop, was rich and absolutely delicious! The portion was generous, and I think it might even be cheaper than what you’d pay in Japan. After checking in, we changed into our swimsuits and headed straight to the beach. Even at the end of September, the water was still warm, and the children, showing no signs of jet lag, enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Friday, September 26
From the morning, my husband and the children headed out to the beach. I went shopping with a friend who lives in Hawaii to prepare for a BBQ at Ala Moana Park with other tour participants. I was amazed to find that our Japanese Costco membership worked in Hawaii! While groceries in Waikiki are expensive, vegetables and fruits there were remarkably affordable. After gathering the ingredients and preparing the side dishes, I headed to the park. Surrounded by participants from all over Japan coming to join the ride, we enjoyed generously grilled meats on the green lawn. As the sun gradually set and night fell, the day concluded with fireworks at the Hilton—making it an unforgettable day.

Saturday, September 27
After conducting a workshop at Kapiolani Park in the morning, followed by a light ride to check our bikes and bodies. Then we set off toward the Kakaako area! Although we weren’t used to riding on the right-hand side and navigating Hawaiian roads, we enjoyed the ride together while getting accustomed. We visited Izumo Taisha Hawaii to pay our respects, then had a light lunch at the traditional Liliha Bakery. After enjoying coffee and some shopping at Lion Cafe & General Store, we toured the Kakaako area to admire the wall art, then rode back along Waikiki’s main street. It was a short trip that only a nimble bike could make possible, and we fully enjoyed it!

Sunday, September 28
Finally, the day of the Century Ride had arrived. Our eldest daughter, who usually struggles to wake up early, was wide awake at 4 a.m., repeatedly saying, “I’m nervous!” as she got ready. Holding back our excitement, we headed to the start area together as a family before sunrise.

The bike I rented was a deluxe American e-bike, painted in a cheerful orange color. It had a seat on the back with wooden footrests. Although a bit large, its wide tires made it very stable—sure to be a great riding companion for the two of us. My younger daughter climbed onto the seat with delight, clearly unable to wait for the start.

As the sun rose, we started. Our eldest daughter, who had been nervous, soon found her rhythm and was riding steadily. I, too, got a feel for the e-bike’s assist, the pedal power, and the speed, which was a bit of a relief. By carefully adjusting the gears and assist level, we planned to conserve the battery. At around 20 km/h, we calculated we could comfortably complete the ride.

We took a moment to catch our breath at the Diamond Head lookout. The sea sparkled beautifully in the early morning sun. Nearly ten chickens crowed loudly from the trees, giving a true sense of an exotic morning.

We rode through a luxurious residential area that sparked the imagination, then onto the freeway. Police officers were stationed along the route, dedicating the right-hand lane to bicycles. Our eldest daughter, usually a slow rider, smoothly surged ahead today. While the easy-to-ride roads and beautiful scenery surely helped, watching her ride alongside the other participants, I could really sense her growth.

This year, a special coastal route was set up. We climbed toward Hanauma Bay and then enjoyed a thrilling downhill along the coast. To our left were rugged cliffs, to our right the deep blue sea—absolutely breathtaking. My younger daughter, riding behind me, was equally excited, shouting, “It’s so beautiful!” as we both screamed in delight. It was such a joy to share this feeling together. One of the best things about cycling is being fully immersed in a 360-degree panorama, and I couldn’t believe we were experiencing this so early in the ride.

The first aid station was bustling with participants. After savoring a fluffy purple malasada, we set off again. To finish the ride, maintaining a steady pace is crucial. Resting too long at the aid stations means you’ll have to speed up later, which can take a heavy toll.

We rode along the coast and tackled the climb up Makapu‘u. Our eldest daughter looked exhausted at times, but she managed to make it through. On this year’s course, Hanauma and Makapu‘u are the two major climbs, and once you get past them, the rest of the ride feels much easier. Looking back from Makapu‘u, the view is breathtaking, and looking ahead, it’s just as stunning—a climb well worth the effort.
“This course is amazing—the color of the sea changes everywhere you look,” my daughter said. The sea from here was a deep navy, different from the view at the earlier aid station or the morning sunrise. The waters ahead would reveal yet another shade, even more beautiful. From here, we would ride along a coastline lined with beach parks for a while.

As we rode enjoying the sea breeze, my younger daughter asked, “I wonder if there are any turtles?” Surely, there might be sea turtles somewhere nearby. We decided to keep an eye out for photo opportunities of the stunning scenery with the camera on her kids’ phone hanging around her neck. Everywhere was so beautiful that it was hard to know exactly where to snap a shot.

We entered the jungle area of Waimanalo, riding through dense trees and listening to the calls of birds and animals. “Let’s go on an animal hunt!” my daughter suggested. She even started keeping score every time we spotted a bird or animal.
“Hey, why is that mountain shaped like that?” she asked. Indeed, its form was very different from the iconic, symmetrical shape of Japan’s Mount Fuji, and the vertically carved ridges were puzzling. As we talked about volcanoes, I dug up some long-forgotten geography knowledge. Experiencing a foreign country at bicycle speed, seeing the surroundings in motion, was once again a profoundly valuable experience.

We arrived at the second aid station in Kailua, where shave ice was served. I chose the blue flavor (vanilla!). Our eldest daughter was showing some signs of fatigue, but she also seemed to feel that she could keep going. To continue, we needed to reach the next aid station by 10:30, but we still had plenty of time.

We rode between palm trees and through residential areas. There were gentle ups and downs, but keeping our momentum and riding at a steady pace made it manageable. Our eldest daughter was talking less, but her pedals kept turning steadily.

We arrived at the third aid station, greeted by smiling staff, and enjoyed treats like haupia, a coconut-based dessert. This was by far the friendliest aid station of the ride. From here on, we were entering the scenic section—the course’s biggest highlight awaited.

We stopped for a commemorative photo in front of the small, hat-shaped island known as Chinaman’s Hat, then set off for the Kualoa area. To our left stretched mountains and grassy fields where horses grazed, and to our right, a coastline of pristine white sand and stunning sky-blue waters. It was a reward for the ride so far—a truly breathtaking view.
My younger daughter cheered as she took photos of the beautiful sea, repeatedly saying, “I want to ride my bike here too!” Experiencing such scenery in the middle of it all is addictive. It’s no wonder she’d want to feel the wind on her own rather than just sitting behind me.

We arrived at Swanzy Beach Park, the finish line! We had successfully completed the ride! Our eldest daughter still had some energy left and seemed to be savoring the sense of accomplishment. This challenge also appeared to boost her confidence, and she wore an expression we hadn’t seen before. My younger daughter had fun, but she seemed a bit disappointed, asking, “When will I get to ride by myself?”
We bought ice cream and drinks at the convenience store across the street and planned to enjoy a relaxing ride back on the bus.

This time, we were able to complete the ride by making use of experience and stamina while conserving the battery. However, for those planning to ride the full 50 miles, choosing an e-bike with two batteries and having a spare battery on hand would make the ride more comfortable and reassuring.

Riding the Century Ride together as a family allowed us to experience Oahu in a more vivid way, and I believe it became a deeply meaningful experience for the children as well. We are grateful for the opportunity to take on this challenge. Perhaps someday, when our younger daughter can ride on her own, we’ll try it again as a family.

Monday, September 29
(Editor’s note: On this day, Kinuyo-san enjoyed cycling on Tantalus Hill and the North Shore. We will feature the North Shore in a later article.)

Tuesday, September 30
Heading home.
Our action-packed trip to Hawaii came to an end. Family vacations can often be passive experiences, but by actively exploring like an adventure—engaging all our senses, feeling inspired, and creating lasting memories—this trip became truly memorable. Riding the Century Ride as a family was an exceptional experience that I can confidently recommend to other families!

🚴‍♂️Honolulu Century Ride 2025 Trip Notes from Five Riding Duos
01 – 5 nights, 7 days / with a friend of 50 years.
02 – 5 nights, 7 days / Riding 80 km in Honolulu with My Two Schoolgirls

Profile

Kinuyo
Cycle Life Navigator. She communicates the appeal and benefits of cycling while actively working in fields related to health, wellness, and environmental sustainability through bicycles. She also serves on government and municipal committees on cycling policy and is involved in promoting bicycle safety, tourism and regional revitalization through cycling, as well as running bicycle education programs.

Post Date：2025.10.30