Sister Sharon and her bad habit.

Saturday saw the annual Cycle to the Sun race, which for a the chosen few means early morning aid station fun. We offered holy water, heed, bananas, gel and most importantly a little levity as the athletes rode by.
Having ridden up from Paia, Jami and Nancy's aid station is the first as the riders ascend 10,000 ft to the top of Haleakala. Heaven or Hell?, you decide.... was their theme this year.

A bondage sheep in lingerie? Why not?!

We're not as outlandish as you may think when you see some of the classic fans from the Tour de France. We have way too much fun with this gig, though I think it's safe to say Borat will never be our theme, that being said, any ideas for next year?

The French Connection.

Having ridden up from sea level at 6:30am on Sunday morning, the first aid station for Cycle to the Sun is at 3,200 ft. It's lovingly run by Jami & Nancy, this year sporting the apropos theme of

the Tour de France.

It's good clean fun to wake up early, put on your best Le French togs and hand out libations with a friendly 'Salut'. Our aim was to add a smile to the faces of the 170 Mesdames et Messieurs that found it in themselves to ride to the top of Haleakala.

No baguette was safe.....!

Our host and hostess demonstrate the versatility of this long and narrow loaf! Note; the lady in the background was simply a well dressed impostor.

Later, inspired by all that stamina I went for a short ride from my house. One of these days I'll have to try a road bike because it's inconceivable to me how people can ride for so long.....praps I should take heed of these wise words from MC Spandex!

Au revoir.

Almost mile high club.

There’s never a reason to get up early on Sunday morning…..except when it’s for the service of others. Being incredible athletes in their own right, my friends Jami and Nancy are the consummate sporty servants and recruited me to help with their aid station for today’s Cycle to The Sun. The theme was “The Almost Mile High Club”…although we were only at 3,200 ft!

Here is the motley the crew, 6:30am pre take off.

The chalk was a hit and we graffitied the road with ‘tea or coffee’ ahead of the aid station and Nancy decided (after seeing herself in uniform), there would in fact be ‘turbulence ahead’.

I was magnificently surprised to find my friend Rick was on Island and deftly snuck away from my water bearing duties for a hug. Meanwhile, Nancy took to the theme with great gusto providing all manor of motivation!




The early riders blazed by, focused and racing the clock to the top of Haleakala Crater. The later ones stopped, texted, took pictures (with the obliging staff), snorted their baggies of advil and let their feet breath. These are my kind of sportsmen because while the other talented volunteers went riding and running after our aid was no longer needed, I just awoke from a nice big fat nap!

Thus, happily today's antics kept my own motto (around sporting events) confidently intact 'I don't compete, I rarely volunteer, but I always show up for the party' and if you're going to volunteer, I highly recommend the team that is Jami Kimel and Nancy Robberson. Thanks guys, I haven't laughed that much, that early in a long time. Bub bye now.