Former US Pro Cyclist Reclaims Mauna Kea KOM on 40th Birthday

Former American professional cyclist Phil Gaimon recently celebrated his 40th birthday by reclaiming the Strava King of the Mountain (KOM) title for Hawaii's formidable Mauna Kea climb. This nearly 90-kilometer ascent, widely regarded as the most challenging in the world, saw Gaimon achieve a remarkable time of 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 10 seconds, marking his third capture of this coveted cycling record. His achievement underscores his enduring prowess and dedication to pushing the boundaries of endurance cycling, even years after his professional retirement.

Gaimon's ascent of Mauna Kea is a feat of extraordinary endurance, covering 89.46 kilometers with an elevation gain of 4,195 meters. He maintained an average speed of 19.6 kilometers per hour and an average power output of 271 watts throughout the grueling climb. The iconic "Waikoloa beach to Mauna Kea" segment, which begins at sea level on the island's western coast and concludes at the dormant volcano's 4,214-meter summit, presents a unique challenge to cyclists worldwide. Gaimon humorously described the effort on social media as the "worst 40th birthday party ever," acknowledging the immense difficulty by stating, "There's no climb even close to this tough."

This latest triumph represents Gaimon's third time securing the Mauna Kea KOM. He first set the record in 2016, becoming the first person to complete the climb in under five hours. His record was briefly surpassed in 2023 by Larry Warbasse of Tudor Pro Cycling by a mere 15 seconds, prompting Gaimon to reclaim it less than two months later. However, last April, an amateur cyclist operating under the username 'elevin11' once again took the KOM. Gaimon's most recent effort shaved an impressive nine and a half minutes off this previous benchmark, solidifying his dominance on this legendary route.

The Mauna Kea climb's western approach is deceptively difficult. While it features an average gradient of 4.7% over its entirety, this figure is skewed by a flatter middle section. The final 21 kilometers of the ascent present a relentless 9% gradient, further complicated by a 10-kilometer gravel section situated at approximately 3,300 meters of altitude. For his record-breaking ride, Gaimon strategically utilized two different bicycles: a lightweight carbon road bike from State Bicycle Co. for the initial stages and a carbon all-road model from the same company for the challenging gravel segment. Mauna Kea holds a special significance for Gaimon, as he credits the climb with igniting his popular YouTube channel, 'Worst Retirement Ever,' which now boasts 150,000 subscribers. A video documenting his latest KOM attempt is eagerly anticipated by his followers.

Phil Gaimon's successful reclamation of the Mauna Kea KOM highlights his persistent drive and exceptional athletic capabilities. This achievement not only adds another chapter to his impressive cycling career but also continues to inspire a global audience of cycling enthusiasts through his engaging online presence.