Breaking the Cycling Record on the Hardest Climb in the World - MAUNA KEA - WORST RETIREMENT EVER
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- This is the climb that inspired me to start a TH-cam channel. It's completely in sane, I think about it all the time, there's nothing like it. I'm so glad that I went back with a camera, even though literally everything went wrong.
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The OG cycling TH-camr doing the OG effort and creating a legendary ride and video as only he could. Still #1.
“…controlled my power to JUST 320 watts…” 😳
Yep, my thoughts and face too, haha!
Back in 2017 I had just finished reading your book and sent you a note telling you that I enjoyed the read. You wrote back saying that a bunch more "crazy shit" would soon be coming out. My good man, you did not disappoint!
Right on! haha, basically exactly the comment I was gonna write, so Ill give you a thumbs up instead! Great story-telling, felt similar to how Phil tells his stories (in several of his books). Loved this video! and WHAT a SAVAGE climb this must be. Oh. man.
Most of the best stories are when everything goes wrong and you still somehow succeed. This was one of those. Well told.
Right on!!
Going from 0 to 14,000ft is absolutely insane, and so is almost 5 hours of continuous climbing (and walking!). Huge respect to you for your awesome ride up that little hill, Phil, 😂😁
I’ve done Teide on Tenerife which is half this. I can’t imagine doing Teide, and then another one on top again 😅
@@7x7.275that vc Bolivia climbing video was great, I especially liked the story they made up about the cartel chasing them down from the mine 😂😂
I rejoiced when the gravel ended and the pavement started again. That elation didn't last long. I suddenly realized the road was even steeper and it was relentless all the way to the top. I rode my gravel bike for the entire route and my wife followed in the jeep to provide support. We did have to "acclimate" for 30 minutes at the ranger station. Killer work, Phil. This is the most amazing place to ride a bike and only a small group of people have ever done it.
The acclimation BS is hilarious. If you're from sea level, you need to wait at that station for a good +5 days just to acclimate to the station altitude😂
@@veganpotterthevegan I think the intent is to identify people who have started suffering from altitude sickness and prevent them from going higher. So yes, calling it acclimation is weird, but it is a valid safety precaution IMO. Like having someone wait in the Dr. office to watch for an allergic reaction after an immunization.
@Peter-Warton these guys won't really know the difference from someone being tired from riding their bike vs having altitude sickness which doesn't express itself the same way in everyone.
You said “there won’t be any triathlon in this video” but you dipped your foot in the water, carried sand to the top and walked some. I give you credit for a tri.
hahaha
Top 3 phil gaimon video of all time
I admire how you found a positive way through the setbacks - to be able to reframe it as "okay, this is a purist KOM attempt now" when you lost your support vehicle and bike swap plan, I think that level of vision and passion is what makes you special, and it's why you have so many fans. That plus your humility and disarming humor of course! 😄 Congrats on getting this one back, and thanks for the great video and story. 👏👏👏
Xo
the fact you can see the observatory from the start is bonkers. Truly an epic climb.
When I climbed it (Gravel Bike all the way) in October of 2021, I called ahead to speak with the Ranger and the local Native Representative. Same as my recent (October 2023) climb (and Gravel Ride) around Mauna Kea on the R-1 road. Sign-in/sign out is mandatory, carry 4-5 hours of water (2 bottles + 3 in the pack), definitely no commercial vehicles, and if there’s snow on the summit or ice, it may be open to Observatory Services only. I had no issues either time. Speaking with the Rangers at the end of the day in 2021 and recently, they end up trying to find people or having a medical issue more than once a week…even more now.
Proper gear, proper research, proper respect, proper outreach = no issues for anyone wanting to try to cross this off their bucket list…and the descent back to Waikoloa on the gravel bike has always been phenomenal…the 14% gravel even more so.
Congrats Phil…there’s a lot of folks that work at the top that ride from the Visitors Center to the top for fun (and yes…some of them ride e-bikes).
I attempted Mauna Kea on my birthday a few years ago. I made it to the gravel section and it began to pour rain. I had a nice Specialized Roubaix model but it had road tires. I puked and then gave up and went to eat Hawaiian BBQ instead. Next time I’ll try Mauna Loa. I brought a lot of nutrients for my ride although I can’t recommend corn dogs as your primary food source which explains why I didn’t make it to the top. That and the torrential downpour.
Absolutely a top-tier adventure story, worth it for the memories.
So glad to see this video! I emailed Phil years ago asking him to redo Mauna Kea so we could watch someone as fast as him go up. I did this from Hilo back in 2018, and there was nobody forcing you to acclimate (as if 30 minutes would make a difference anyway!). We did it solo on bikes, riding with a backpacks full of food/water/jackets. The descent back down was AWESOME. I don't know why folks would rather drive it!
Your continued humor when things are going a bit upside-down is inspiring and always fun to watch. 💯
"One dude, one bike" Perfect! Thanks for a great video and excellent story.
"I'm going to stop talking now." Phil hours into the climb. Or me as I clip in.
😂
“Nailed it!” This could be your best work yet…Thanks Phil.
Phil, This is your masterpiece! I absolutely love this video. It highlights your storytelling talents. It also shows your mental toughness. Aside from the cycling content, you manage to bring this down to a real level on what’s going on outside of cycling. While there are many pros who can ride in the European Peloton, there are very few who can tell a story so compelling with just their bike and their wits.
How is no one commenting on the Robot Whale and Free Willy segment!! So good!!!
If you've never been to Mauna Kea you can never understand the insanity of this. It's truly next level that people ride their bike up this and at this altitude.
It's batshit to drive those corners through the clouds, and then to pop through and see the island below you.
Utterly unreal.
Outstanding video Phil! That headwind at the bottom of the climb looked like a wall. Thanks for reminding us of the history and the importance of that beautiful mountain.
This is such a lovely positive video. Youre an incredible athlete and more importantly an inspiring person!
Right on!
3:34 "I cried a little bit" - I feel you, Sir. It is one of my most enjoyable videos on TH-cam. We went to Big island once, and at that time MK was closed due to protects with no way to get on top. Very inspiring to see you riding on top of it
Thanks, Phil. That was a very entertaining watch and listen while I cleaned up my kitchen. See, all that pain was worth it!
Cleaning kitchen is painful I hear you
I just happened upon you for the first time and really enjoyed this.
57 and riding SFO to LAX with bags in April.
At 220lbs I climb like a sloth.
Having ridden the Pyrenees and the Alps and other random mountains, I can’t imagine doing this ride - what an amazing story.
New fan!!
Welcome! Enjoy the coast ride!
I mountain bike. I actually don’t care for road biking at all. But I love your videos! That speaks volumes to your content creation. Great story telling man.
I chuckled a little about you getting a ride down with strangers. It reminded me of when a did that wimpy little Pikes Peak climb. Before descending I noticed a gash in my back tire, so found some friendly strangers and hitched a ride down.
Congrats on the KOM!
Your best video yet I’ve been watching since you started and a big fan. Thanks for posting. This is so good!
Nice job, I really enjoyed that. Thanks Phil.
The ride never really starts until something goes wrong. Nicely done. Imua!
Having spent a heap of time in the great outdoors, foot, bike, ski, snowshoe, and on public lands, I honestly can't blame the Rangers. You obviously knew what you were in for but they don't know that, and can't afford to guess on evaluating everyone, when many people can easily get themselves into trouble. This is also compounded by the location itself, and it's history and heritage, as you noted.
Still, respect to you for taking this on, and completing it.
Great video Phil, this is inspiration! One of my first big climbs ever was Clingman's Dome in TN. I did it within the first few months of being back on a bike because I was obsessed. That climb honestly changed my life. It was one of the most beautiful and surreal experiences I've ever had (including the descent, INCREDIBLE.) Bikes are great!!!!! Thanks for the content!
This segment along with the previous "setup" clip are two of my favorites from over the years - nicely done Phil! And congrats. From your Calabasas cycling neighbor (one of them at least).
This was incredible to watch. Thanks for throwing in some of the history and for suffering for our entertainment 😅
I knew this video was going to happen, so awesome Phil, I did the climb in 2017, but almost 4h slower than you, still to date the most amazing and challenging ride i have ever done.
love to hear that!
Always stepping it up. Great video. Well ridden, my friend.
Love the "only an eruption will save it" graphic at the end. You're the best!!
Excellent stuff Phil and thanks for the signed jersey
We used to go up, load the truck with snow, then go build a snowman at the beach. I miss home.
Saw that in 16! So cool
I rode from a beach in Hilo (socks got soaked) to the top back in September. I definitely did NOT snag any KOM's, but I did complete the ride (unsupported) on my 2022 Specialized Diverge E5 with 28/38 11-42 8-speed drive train. I was very emotional, exhausted, and oxygen-deprived when I hit the summit, but was very proud of myself. I did Haleakala as a training ride and had no issues. I went into the Mauna Kea ride cocky because I was fine at 10,000' on Haleakala, but once I hit 11,000' on Mauna Kea where the gravel deepens, I was hurting. I walked the last quarter mile of gravel because my 40mm tires were sinking, but once I saw pavement again, I was overjoyed. I'm going back in May to ride from Kona and plan to bikepack the whole island and tackle Mauna Loa as well. My new bike is gonna need a sticker.
Really neat to see Johnny Knoxville make an appearance at 20:03. Legend.
Wow, my first time watching your videos. So far, 3 minutes into this, im feeling your pain at booking airbnb and getting lost at the airport, that is totally the sort of thing i can empathise with!.
Your humility (the Venn diagram) and your respect for the place (how you handled the ranger situation and spoke about it afterwards) make this compelling viewing. We can all learn a lot from you about how to be a better rider and a better person. Kudos.
xo
Incredible effort! I attempted this from the Hilo side in 2012. No park rangers or hassles back then
congrats on the KOM! Always awesome seeing a dude that bikes for the love of it doing his thing and achieving a personal goal. Mona Kea is wild. I'd love to see you go for Haleakala even if it's just for the video an not a KOM.
Nothing better than getting excited for this video to get released and then have the top comment (out of 7) spoil the whole reveal of the video as soon as it starts playing. SMH. There's gotta be a way to hide comments by default, right?
Never done Mauna Kea. But Haleakala is remarkably easy, to the point where I've done it twice in a day at 190lbs. It's definitely fun but there are plenty of climbs in the US that are significantly harder
@nealpeacocke3424 I saw the KOM in the news before the video was posted. Just don't look at any comments or read any news if you care about that😂
@@veganpotterthevegan yeah, I gotta get better at keeping my blinders on. It's just unfortunate that TH-cam will always display one comment below the video. I should put some tape on my monitor so it's blocked like my Check Engine light.
@@nealpeacocke3424 smart, I've definitely done the sticker over the check engine light thing for years myself🙃
Outstanding Vince including courage, insight & reflection!
Phil, great video. Really enjoyed this tale. Classic Phill with a the less than ideal circumstances and yet you roll through with such a positive and resourceful attitude. Loved it. Keep rolling!
Amazing ride, especially with the hardships. Congratulations on a very well-earned KOM! I was up there in a rental car in 1990 and don't remember anybody ever hassling me. Very cool take on the history of Hawaii too. Much respect to Hawaii and Phil.
You looking slim Phil someone did some hard work over winter 💪💪💪
"let's control my power at 320watts" being that slim that's waaaay strong.
Keep it up man 💪💪💪
Really fun wholesome little documentary Phil, thanks for putting in the effort :)
I always enjoy your videos Phil. Thanks for keeping many of our riding stokes very high. As I sit here in my house with 8 ft of snow on the ground this was an awesome watch. I'll ski powder tomorrow, but I'll also be dreaming about dry roads and big adventures on my bike .
Phil, I’m a Hawaii resident, accomplished cyclist having lived on Oahu about 20 years and have visited the Big Island, mainly to swim in the beautiful ocean in Kailua Kona. I’ve visited the ranger station area where the road turns to something other than pavement and climbs mercilessly upward at crazy pitches. It’s horrendous! Even riding a modern 27.5” or 29” wheeled mountain bike would be borderline unthinkable. I’m glad you made it to the top without suffering an adverse cardiac event! Thanks for the video.
Excellent video as usual, thanks for all the insights into the island history and $800 hotel room!
The most epic worst retirement video you've ever created! Lezz go!!!!
Great work mate... was looking forward to seeing this and you didn't disappoint! 🙌
Only did Haleakala from seelevel, that was an experience in itself. Can’t imagine even going higher. Great effort and congrats on the KOM 👌
You know things go right when it all goes wrong. Fun one. Looks like it took a lot of effort and resources to put this one together. 👏🏻👏🏻
Congrats Phil, I am happy you took back the crown. All best!
That route looks insane!
I recommend Haleakalā in Maui. I was there in 2018 my wife and I drove it on our honeymoon. 😃
I didn't try riding it, but cheered on a well trained cyclist who made it to the top. It's paved all the way and has some excellent hiking for you and friends when you want to get off the bikes.
Seems like Maui is also not road cycling focused with barely any room on edge of road to bike. At least the speed limits are lower.
Well done Phil! I'll eat a cookie for your efforts. 😄
I can legit say that this effort is extremely motivating. Just do the thing.
Best cycling video I've ever seen Phil ! ❤🎉😅
Nice retirement. At 70 mine is watching you young guys killin' these epic climbs. Ah, if only to be 30 again! Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it. Jim
As someone who has glided down Haleakala on a 1990's (70's?) foot-brake bike on the tour, I'd sure love to see you go up it. Great story and great effort, Phil. 🍍
Fantastic story, well done for that grazy gravel part with ho gravelbike, your a BEAST! Just cause your retired the beast is NOT Retired!
A monumental effort Phil, well done. Sometimes the most traumatic experiences yield the best memories!
Great ride, Phil! 🎉
Thanks for doing this climb. I did this climb from the Hilo side of the island in 2012. It was the hardest day of my life. I switched to an MTB for the gravel part as gravel bikes weren't really a thing back then. The air is so thin on the upper parts of the climb, it's an effort just holding your breath long enough to be able to swallow some water from your bidon. Nice work.
i rode down that on a mtb in the early 90's...and that was f'g hard! bravo, world class effort 🤙
Probably Phil's best video to date!
Your best, Phil. Thank you
Thanks, Phil!
June 22nd is the Race to the Sun, starting in Paia and ending on the top of Haleakala. You should come and join us for that one too.
We hiked from the ranger station to the top, so I must say ... Chapeau !
that was great. thanks phil
you’re so bright
I like this. Phil actually seemed cheerful and positive.
Awesome job and video, Phil!!
very impresive I drove up and was light headed I agree on respect and true natives I feel you gave good context
From living in squalor in Trexlertown to a voluntary semi-supported KOM attempt Mauna Kea. A pretty good story :)
I climbed the bottom portion (to the access road) on a vacation. My family and friends thought that was crazy. I decided to acknowledge my limits and not ride up to the ranger station since I still had to ride all the way to Kona. I’ll never forget the ride and am grateful I had the opportunity to do it.
Unless the road was as smooth as glass, isn't 100 psi over kill?
Great entertainment Phil. Keep up the good work
Love it! I just spent a month there and stayed where you did and drove and hiked up from the ranger station in a couple hours but going from sea level to 14k when exerting hard that last mile or two wasn’t easy. Well done.
Your intro was so much better. Keep up the good work.
Good on you Phil for your perspectives on the history and culture of the Hawaiians. Keep Hawaii for Hawaiians. 🤙And nice ride. 👊
Excellent video! Really enjoyed this one.
Congrats Phil, that was a great adventure! I wish you could have used the gravel bike too. Maybe next time...
Legendary
Having been to Mauna Kea puts into perspective how insane this is
Phil,
The Cycle to the Sun Haleakala climb is pretty nice. Super smooth roads the whole way with not much traffic and pretty well supported. I am sure everyone would love to see you there.
Great video. Thanks for sharing your effort
Epic ride! It takes a lot of moving pieces to put together an effort like this.
I think Worst Retirement Ever needs a field trip to Haleakalā, keep the Hawai’i content coming!
Nice work, come over here to Maui for the Cycle to the Sun event and go for I mean take the KOM Aloha 🤙
I’m relatively new to cycling but I’ve caught the bug. I leave Friday to ride the whistler gran Fondo as a kind of test ride for a Taiwan huandao (round the island) in November. We are incorporating the Taiwan kom into the route. This was inspiring.
So your 4:18 kom took me 21 minutes thanks for show me that but hard no. Love it thanks for the entertainment!
Phil are you aware that there is a 14er in California that you can ride to the top of? White Mountain out of the Owen’s Valley. Basically opposite side of the valley from Whitney portal. You should go for that KOM.
Great vid, Phil! 😊
Man oh man, that was amazing.
Congrats! I decided to ride a rental road bike from Kona to Hilo in 2012 and once I got to the other side of the mountain , then hit some major winds and heat on the dry side of the island . I ran out of water and energy and had my brother come pick me up on the way back from Hilo side or some little town. Good times . Mahalo
Great job Phil !
Thank you for this. Awesome