Larry Walbus (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) closed out 2023 by breaking the Strava record for one of the world's toughest climbs, the 89.5 km sea-to-summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano.

The American posted a clip of his ride on Instagram after it took him 4 hours, 59 minutes, and 4 seconds, stating, "Can't say I'm in a hurry to do that again."

"I've been coming to the Big Island of Hawaii for years and never tried to climb Mauna Kea. But on this trip, I decided it was time to give it a try," Warbus wrote. [To tackle the 4,214-meter ascent, which averages 4.7% elevation, he started by taking a dip in the ocean at Waikoloa Beach.

"It was a little tougher than I expected: after 3,000 meters, the gravel road averages 12% and continues for 10 km. ...... It's quite loose and you need wide tires to drive on it at all."

"At one point we had to walk for a few minutes ...... Then, in the last few kilometers to the 4200m/13800ft summit, the gravel magically turned into pavement again. But it was even steeper there. It was as if we had hit the last few kilometers of the Tre cime Lavaredo after running up one of Strade Bianche's most strenuous hills, which lasted for 10 kilometers.

"But somehow we made it to the top after it felt unlikely we would make it to sunset. But it was a good race to end 2023. But it was a nice way to end 2023.

He titled the ride "Sorry Phil, that was brutal" and apologized to former pro Phil Gaimon, who held the record of 4 hours, 59 minutes, and 19 seconds.

Warbus has a habit of adventuring during the off-season, paddleboarding, bikepacking, and training in far-flung places. He renewed his contract with AG2R and will begin his 12th season in the pro peloton.