Former World Tour professional turned KOM hunter, YouTube, and social media star, Phil Gaimon, simply reclaimed the KOM on Mauna Kea. On the Massive Island of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea climb is taken into account one of many hardest highway climbs on the planet, ascending 13,762 vertical toes over 55.59 miles from sea degree to the observatories on the summit. Gaimon, who has been posting updates from Hawaii for the previous week or so, introduced the success of his KOM try yesterday, on his fortieth Birthday.
On Gaimon’s Instagram (@philgaimon) yesterday, he introduced his KOM, saying, “NOT BAD FOR AN OLD MAN. WORST 40TH BIRTHDAY EVER video coming quickly (at present is my precise birthday).” The put up included a screenshot of his effort and the brand new leaderboard. He put down a blistering time of 4:34:10, beating the prevailing KOM by over 9 minutes. Additionally seen is the brand new State Carbon Aero highway bike that he teased when he introduced he was altering sponsors earlier this month. Apparently, the brand new bike is fairly fast.
This most up-to-date KOM is definitely Phil’s third time atop the Mauna Kea leaderboard. Close to the start of his “retirement,” Gaimon set the KOM in 2016 with a time of 4:59:19 and held it for seven years. After it was taken from him by Larry Warbasse in late 2023, Gaimon returned to the Massive Island and reclaimed the KOM in early 2024 with a time of 4:52:55. In April of final 12 months, a bike owner who goes by elevin 11 on Strava claimed the highest spot by 9 minutes. It was only a matter of time till Gaimon returned to Mauna Kea to take again the crown, a powerful feat that he completed simply two days in the past.
Nearly all of the Mauna Kea climb is paved, however after the customer’s middle, the highway turns to gravel for a big and steep stretch. Within the quick Instagram video beneath, it seems Phil rode the brand new State Carbon Aero highway bike on the paved sections of the climb and was in a position to change to an all-road bike with gravel tires on the unpaved part.
The complete video of the try isn’t up but, however we’ll put up it right here once we see it.
Congrats, Phil, and Joyful Birthday!
Observe together with Phil’s antics on his Instagram @philgaimon or take a look at his YouTube channel @worstretirementever
