Former professional cyclist Phil Gaimon has once again conquered the Strava KOM on Hawaii's Mauna Kea, a 90km climb considered the world's toughest. Gaimon's latest achievement marks his third victory on this challenging segment, setting a new benchmark of 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 10 seconds for the 4,195m elevation gain. This feat is all the more impressive given his age, as he turned 40 this week, and his previous retirement from professional cycling in 2016.
The Mauna Kea segment, starting from Waikoloa Beach on the island's western coast, features a deceptive average gradient of 4.7%, with a flatter middle section and a final 21km stretch at a steep 9%. Additionally, there's a 10km gravel section at an altitude of 3,300m, adding to the complexity of the climb.
Gaimon's strategy for this ascent included using a lightweight carbon road bike from State Bicycle Co. for the initial part of the ride and switching to their carbon all-road model for the gravel section. His dedication to cycling extends beyond the physical challenge, as he credits Mauna Kea with inspiring his YouTube channel, 'Worst Retirement Ever', which now boasts 150,000 subscribers.
Interestingly, Gaimon's KOM was previously held by amateur cyclist 'elevin11', who held the record for almost a year. However, Gaimon's latest performance significantly reduced the benchmark by 9.5 minutes, showcasing his exceptional endurance and skill.
It's worth noting that professional mountain bike rider Spark Moir Sears set a record for the women's segment, completing it in 6 hours, 12 minutes, and 51 seconds, almost an hour faster than the previous best. Gaimon's achievement not only highlights his personal prowess but also adds to the rich history of cycling records on Mauna Kea.
