The state of cycling in the state of Hawaii? It has its hills and flats, its challenges and its rewards. And it very much mirrors the two largest events in the sport here: the 112-mile Dick Evans Memorial Oahu perimeter race held recently on Labor Day weekend, and Sunday’s Honolulu Century Ride, a ride — not a race — with distances ranging from 20 to 100 miles.

It can be as competitive as needed (Dick Evans) or as desired (Honolulu Century). It can be considered a niche sport, but one just waiting — as with a flat tire — for that pump of interest to get it going.

"Absolutely the interest is there," Jason Smith, one of the top cyclists in the state, said. "It’s just waiting for people to say it’s cool. It wouldn’t take much.

"I think what holds a lot of people back are all the cars and the actual road conditions. But as for road racing in a safe environment, I don’t even worry about it because the police do a great job (with the rolling road closures). You just have to worry about what you’re doing."

The 37-year-old Smith, a sponsored team rider for California-based Big Orange Cycling, was third overall (5 hours, 15 minutes, 4 seconds) in the Dick Evans, 23 seconds behind winning teammate Daniel Cobley. What was more awe-inspiring to Smith than the scenic finish — around Makapuu to Kalama Valley — was the fifth-place finish of Ray Brust, just six seconds behind (5:15:10).

"Ray is amazing," said Smith, a Baldwin High graduate.

The 52-year-old Brust, nicknamed "the Godfather" by Hawaii cyclists, was top five in the race for the eighth consecutive year and "maybe 16th time, I don’t keep track of those things," said Brust, a Team Boca rider whose family moved to Hawaii in 1969. "A lot of things keep me riding. It keeps me young and I still get a thrill out of the competition.

"For the number of people we have here (in Hawaii), there’s definitely a lot of top-end riders here."

Some of those will be in Group A on the 29th, the elite pack committed to the 100 miles of the in-and-back course out of Kapiolani Park. The event is considered an Audax, with no official times or placings.

There won’t be the intensity from nearly three weeks ago, but that’s not to say there won’t be the friendly rivalry.

"I do the Century more for the enjoyment," said Brust, a Punahou alum who manages the Boca Hawaii store in Honolulu. "Doing the 100 miles is not that big of a deal. I was doing 100 miles a week training for the Evans.

"It’s a fun event, with people who don’t normally do bike races but who are out there to see how far they can go. Where Evans is an actual race, the Century is more of a people’s event that everyone can do."

Some 2,000 are expected, including a large number of visitors from Japan. The Evans and Century use portions of the same course, with Brust and Smith saying they enjoy the same parts, including the road between Kahaluu to Swanzy Beach Park and back through Waimanalo.

"I like being next to the ocean and the lack of traffic lights and cars," said Smith, who is working on a degree in international business with a certificate in Japanese language at the University of Hawaii.

"I’ve only been riding for about five years and I ride every day now. What I like most is you get on your bike and it’s an adventure right away.

"Riding here is vey social and I’d like to see more participants. The more people there are, the more fun it is to train and race. It’s a lifetime sport, just like surfing, which I grew up on Maui doing. Riding is not as clique-y as some sports and, just like Ray, I love the training and racing. I don’t see why I won’t keep it up like he has."