Looking along the coast to the Royal Kona, our hotel for the first four nights and the last night.

View from the pier to Kailua-Kona Village. The Ironman triathlon begins here.

Sunset from Kailua.

The group at Hapuna Beach....

Cows grazing on Parker ranchland, the largest ranch in the US. Not the scenery we usually associate with Hawaii, but it's all here on the big island!

Here's part of the 2001
group, including the Playboy Extreme Team, hamming it up for the camera.

View of Mauna Kea, a 13,796-foot summit! We'll descend into Waimea from a max of 3564' in the Kohala mountains this day.

On the descent into Waimea.

On the road to the volcano—an incredible day of cycling!

Kiluea Crater, part of Volcano National Forest. You will never forget your visit to this otherwordly landscape.

Along the north coast, lava meets the ocean. Maui is just visible through the haze.

A view north from the Waikoloa resort area.

Race action in the Hard Rock Criterium.

The race is optional, but a great low-key way to start your season or get a taste of bicycle racing!

The bikini contest following the criterium. Boys won't escape a little good-natured objectification when they vie for the best legs!