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2025 Honolulu Century Ride Celebrates 42 Years with Ride Aloha Festival

The Honolulu Century Ride, Hawaii’s largest bicycling event, marked its 42nd anniversary on Sept. 28 with the Ride Aloha festival at Kapiolani Park. Hosted by the Hawaii Bicycling League, the daylong event drew about 1,300 riders from Hawaii and abroad and offered routes from five to 100 miles, family-friendly activities and a new course designed to showcase Oahu’s scenic coastline.

Honolulu Century Ride Celebrates 42 Years with Ride Aloha Festival

“This is a ride, not a race,” said Travis Counsell, executive director of the Hawaii Bicycling League. “We emphasize coming back next year, going a little further or doing the same ride and meeting new people. Many riders return year after year, building their distance and their community.” The event capped at 5 p.m. with food, music and community activities at the Kapiolani Park bandstand.

Organizers worked closely with state and local agencies to ensure rider safety and smooth traffic flow. Kalanianaole Highway was fully closed between Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., and modified lanes were in place along the route for much of the day. Detours were set up through Kealahou, Hawaii Kai Drive and Lunalilo Home Road to manage vehicle traffic while cyclists were on the island roads. Parking restrictions around Kapiolani Park helped maintain clear staging and finish areas.

“We have two miles of car-free Kaiwi Coast for cyclists to enjoy as they bike out to the first Aid Station at Sandy Beach Park. It makes for a great 25-mile round trip,” said Chris Salas, the events director for the HBL. “It brings multiple communities together, and it gives people the opportunity to challenge themselves. Maybe choose a distance you’ve never biked before and go for it with the support of HBL, HPD and our volunteers.”

The Honolulu Century Ride, Hawaii’s largest bicycling event, marked its 42nd anniversary on Sept. 28

Riders benefited from eight strategically placed aid stations stocked with refreshments and staffed by volunteers. The stations provided water, snacks, mechanical support and a welcoming aloha spirit, serving everyone from casual cyclists riding short distances to century riders completing 100 miles. Volunteer support and community partnerships helped keep the event running smoothly and safely throughout the day.

The 2025 ride also reflected the Hawaii Bicycling League’s milestone 50th anniversary, highlighting the organization’s long-term commitment to safe streets, bike education and inclusive events. This year’s field included roughly 300 participants from Japan, about 300 from the U.S. continent, and a strong contingent from neighbor islands, underscoring the event’s broad regional appeal.

“We’re proud to bring people together to enjoy Hawaii’s beauty on two wheels,” Counsell said. “Events like the Honolulu Century Ride are about community, healthy activity and celebrating our island lifestyle. Seeing families, repeat riders and international visitors come together makes all the planning worthwhile.”

 

 
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