Fulfillment through fitness

The bicycles ridden by members of the Red Hot Ladies have one wheel of competitiveness and another of camaraderie. The cycling group, which numbers well over 100, takes to the streets and roads of Oahu for enjoyment and exercise on Sunday mornings with three different locations to accommodate its membership.

This Sunday, many of the RHL members will meet up at Kaiaka Bay Beach Park for the annual Haleiwa Metric Century Ride. Some will ride the entire 100 kilometers of the scenic North Shore route. Others plan on doing 50 kilometers, some 25 kilometers and some as far as Ted’s Bakery.

Fun and food are perfect biking accessories.

"Many of us came from a triathlon background and many still compete in triathlons," RHL co-founder Pattie Dunn said. "We also compete in (cycling) time trials.

"I wasn’t athletic at all. I was a dancer. But when I weighed as much as my two 6-foot-2 sons — I’m 5-3 — I decided to go out and do something. I did my first triathlon when I was 50."

The original demographic of the group was 50-and-older women, inspired by the global Red Hat Society that encourages women "in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness." The cycling group was going to be called the Red Hat Ladies but, when someone mistook the word ‘hat’ for ‘hot,’ Dunn thought the latter sounded even better.

Team jerseys soon followed. As did Dottie Sunio’s new nickname: Red Hot Dot.

"Our policy is that no one is left behind," Sunio said. "There’s always someone with you on your ride."

The goals are safety and comfort. Many have completed the Hawaii Bicycle League’s "Commuter 101" classes, some are league-certified instructors.

"More people are coming back to cycling," Carolyn Shea said. "Five years ago, the largest demographic getting back into it were ages 45 to 50. Now, five years later, it’s 50 and over.

"Cycling is good for the recreational athlete. It’s just a lot of fun."

The RHL also have adventures. Several recently did a circle tour of Hawaii Island. The talk now is of a U.S. cross-country trek or one in Europe.

But this weekend, it’s all about Haleiwa.

"We will meet at the beginning," Linda Murai, a certified instructor, said. "We may not ride together, some are just going as far as one of the aid stations.

"It’s been a great experience being with these women."

While the group is based around the 50-and-older age group, men and younger women are welcome. The RHL also has embraced the growing number of riders from Japan, including Miho Suzuki, who flew in this week from Chiba just for Sunday’s ride.

She had met the group at the HBL office prior to last September’s Honolulu Century Ride.

"They have such warm hearts," Suzuki said. "I love them."

Also returning from a trip to the mainland in time of the event is RHL co-founder Patricia Johnson.

The 70-year-old got back into biking about 10 years ago and now logs nearly 10,000 miles a year. For her 70th birthday, Johnson pledged to bring 70 new members to the HBL. She succeeded and will join a number of them at Sunday’s event.