Labor Day Weekend 2006

Labor day weekend was crazy, and it started on a Thursday night. Aside from performing the mandatory feat of circling the island on a 3-day weekend, other things appended to the weekend were drinking, hanging with the friends & co-workers, dancing, talking story, sleeping in, watching movie The Protector, girls/women, drama, fun, hangover, clubbing, wahine volleyball, the folks, and finally, reality (washing clothes, dull).

Anyway, for the cruise around the island, I started the morning with a quick Tall Frappucino at Starbucks Kapolei (near Home Depot). My mother called to be careful cause my horiscope stated to stay home ... the stars seem to be aligned for me today as final result is not problems. Next off, I hit the curves of Kolekole pass on the Waianae mountain range. Due to the early morning sprinkles, I could not drag enough pegs. I decided to hit Strictly S end-of-summer cruise meet up at Central Oahu Regional Park (near the softball fields). I did not see much so I filled the gas tank ($6.00 fill up @ $3.14/gal) and proceeded north on Hwy 99 but the rain clouds started to creep in.  Hence, a quick decision to turn around immediately toward town. I talked to several riders at stoplights and allow them to proceed their merry way. Scattered showers as I rolled on by of Waikiki to take on the surf at Diamond Head. For lunch, I stopped over at Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and absorded the lovely visual of Koko Head. As usual, riding fulfills my goal  to "play tourist" as I stopped at Hanauma Bay. By the way, an advantage of a motorcycle is free parking! Rolling counterclockwise around the island, I waved at serval groups of riders enjoying their Sunday ride. As I cruised in through Kualoa Regional Park, the Strictly S folks were turning left  from the opposite direction after me. Since the park was so busy, I proceeded on my journey. I should have stayed since several of the Street Toys members were on the cruise and I could have avoided the rain near Laie. Yup, the scattered showers finally creep on me for my first "storm" riding. North Shore was more pleasant and as oppose to heading home, I headed toward Mokuleia (near Kaena Point). Checked out the action of kite surfing and finally completed my first 3-day weekend cruise. Yup, an enjoyable ride that added hundreds of miles of ride time. If anything else, this ride helped me improve my quick stop in rain and slick roads, S.E.E. 12 seconds ahead, riding in the rain, lane position, and improving my slow speed skills.

 

 
Stopped Aside Farrington Hwy along Kaena Point State  

 

Lookout from Diamond Head, view toward Hawaii Kai 

 

 
Hanauma Bay 

 

View of Koko Head from Maunalua Bay Beach Park 

 

 
Mokuleia Beach Park