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Cheering at the Honolulu Century Ride 2025
- Tiffany C
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
This past weekend, we flew to Hawai‘i to support our riders in the Honolulu Century Ride, a 100-mile ride along Hawai'i's coastline, community, and endurance. It’s the Hawai‘i Bicycling League’s biggest fundraiser, and this year’s event took place on September 28, 2025, starting at Kapiʻolani Park and stretching all the way past Hawai‘i Kai, the Hālona Blowhole, Kā‘a‘awa, Kailua, Kāne‘ohe, and back to Waikīkī.
The Energy Starts Early
You can feel the camaraderie well before the riders even clip in. Two days before the event, we gathered at the Ala Wai Golf Course for packet pick-up. The excitement was written all over their faces as they collected their bibs, free event shirts, and even a packet of mochi pancakes (yes, mochi pancakes, and they were delicious).
There’s something special about those pre-event moments. The laughter, the nerves, the trading of stories about past rides. It felt like a reunion and pep rally rolled into one. You could see how much this ride meant to everyone.
When the Leis Don’t Make It
The plan was to meet our riders at the finish line with handmade leis from The Sweet Leis Co. I had spent hours preparing them in California, and they were ready to go. But sometimes, no matter how much you plan, things slip through the cracks. My leis never made it onto the plane. By the time I realized, it was too late to create a new batch in Honolulu.
I felt awful. For me, the leis are more than decoration. They’re my way of honoring the riders, of saying “we see you, we’re proud of you, and you did something amazing.” To show up empty-handed wasn’t an option.
So the day before the ride, I headed to Aloha Stadium and bought shell leis for every rider. Different than what I had intended, but still a symbol of celebration, community, and aloha. And when I draped those shell leis over their tired shoulders at the finish line, they still smiled, still felt recognized, still celebrated. That’s what mattered.
Riding Strong, Cheering Louder
This year, two groups held strong together through the course: the Pedal Addicts of San Jose and the Barangay “Tolits” Crew. They rode side by side, supporting one another mile after mile, and together they finished earlier than ever, shaving hours off last year’s time.
Meanwhile, my fellow cheer squad and I did our best to keep their spirits high. We showed up with cowbells, shouted encouragement until our voices disappeared (I still don’t have mine back), and along the course we handed out spam musubi and manapua from 7-Eleven Hawai‘i, plus cold drinks to keep the energy flowing. It was sweaty, loud, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.
Supporting the riders was its own endurance event, running from point to point, cheering until we were hoarse, and laughing through it all. But it was worth every step. The riders were grateful, and we were thankful to be there for them. That mix of effort, support, and celebration is what made the day so special.
Thank You!
To the Pedal Addicts, the Barangay “Tolits” Crew, and every rider who pushed through those miles. Congratulations on an incredible ride. You proved that teamwork, grit, and heart can accomplish great things.
To the cheer squad, the wives, partners, and friends who rang cowbells, passed out snacks, and screamed ourselves hoarse. Thank you for bringing the energy and love that fueled our riders to the finish line.
This event reminded me once again that the spirit of aloha is not only in the leis, but in the people who show up for one another. And for that, I’m endlessly proud and grateful.
Let's do it again next year! 😊❤️