Phil Gaimon Reclaims the world’s longest STRAVA KOM
For most cyclists, a 40th birthday involves a celebratory group ride and a recovery drink. For our newest member of the team Phil Gaimon, it was the deadline for a “sufferfest” on a dormant volcano. His target? Mauna Kea—a 13,796-foot monster rising from the Pacific that Gaimon famously calls his “Moby Dick.”
Mauna Kea isn’t just another hill; it is widely considered the hardest bike climb in the world. The ascent is a 55-mile journey that begins at the tropical tide pools of Waikoloa and ends in a desolate, oxygen-deprived moonscape.
The World’s Most Brutal Ascent: From Sea Level to the Stars
While Mount Everest is technically higher above sea level, Mauna Kea is the world’s tallest mountain when measured from the sea floor. For a cyclist, this means a geographic odyssey through seven of Earth’s thirteen climate zones.
The ride is a relentless progression through three distinct phases:
The Queen K Highway: Riders battle blistering heat and heavy crosswinds.
Saddle Road: A grueling “false flat” at a 5% grade that drains the legs before the real climbing even begins.
The Access Road: Where the oxygen vanishes, the pavement disappears, and the gradient kicks into the double digits.
Pro Tip: Phil wore mountain bike shoes for the entire 55-mile duration. At a 20% gradient on loose volcanic cinder, the “hike-a-bike” risk is high. The time saved by not changing shoes is more valuable than the marginal power loss of a mountain bike sole.
The “Two-Bike” Strategy: Engineering a World Record
To reclaim the King of the Mountain (KOM) record from elite World Tour pros, Gaimon knew a standard road bike wouldn’t suffice. The secret to his success was a calculated bike swap at the Visitor Center, located at approximately 9,000 feet.
| Component | Road Setup (The First 40 Miles) | Gravel Setup (The Dirt Section) |
| Frame | State Carbon Road (14 lbs) | State All-Road Carbon |
| Wheels | ARCARIS 8848 Pro | CRW Works GX36 Gravel Wheelset |
| Handlebar | CRW HB-01 | Quick AELOUS SSL Wide Angle Integrated Handlebar |
| Components | OVERFAST Ultralight carbon thru-axles | Voice Velo Deep V – Seatpost |
| Tires | Kenda 28C | Kenda 45C (for maximum float) |
| Gearing | Shimano Dura-Ace | Shimano GRX (Ultra-low “Granny” gears) |
| Pedals/Shoes | Shimano S-Phyre MTB | Shimano S-Phyre MTB |
Battling the “Altitude Tax” and Mental Fatigue
The final push is a battle against physics. As the elevation climbs, a rider’s Functional Threshold Power (FTP) plummets. At 10,000 feet, Gaimon’s target power shifted from a steady 380W to a struggling 250W. Every pedal stroke at this altitude feels like breathing through a straw.
Beyond the physical toll, the “Mental Desert” of black lava rock creates a psychological trap. The road looks flat, but the 5% grade and persistent headwind require immense mental fortitude to avoid “blowing up” before reaching the dirt section.
On his record-breaking run, Gaimon even faced a front tire puncture just miles before the gravel transition. With sealant spraying and no support vehicle nearby, he had to rely on pure grit to keep the wheels moving until he reached his second bike.
The Result: 4 Hours of Pure Grit
The final two miles are what Phil calls a “nut-kicker.” After surviving the loose dirt, the road returns to pavement with some of the steepest pitches on the mountain. At 13,000+ feet, fueled by little more than Coca-Cola and stubbornness, Gaimon reached the observatories.
Final Time: 4 hours, 34 minutes, 10 seconds.
Result: New KOM (breaking the previous record by 8.5 minutes).
Average Power: 270W (normalized across the massive altitude change).
Phil’s final verdict? “I’m usually encouraging, but this is the only one where I’m going to say: Nah, maybe you don’t want to do this climb.” Between the logistics of a support crew and the physical toll on the body, Mauna Kea remains a beautiful, sacred, and dangerous undertaking—the ultimate birthday gift for a man who lives to climb.
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