Introductions - Aloha from Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha from sunny (most of the time - its been raining for three weeks straight!) Hawaii. Glad to be part of Bike forums. I basically ride to stay in shape and for the plain enjoyment of cycling. Mostly ride on the road on my 2004 Giant Cypress SX (basically stock except for bar ends and tires) and ride a 2004 Cannondale F300 (w/upgrades). I returned to cycling after a very long time (18 years - school, job, house, kids, etc...) and have been enjoying again for the past year and a half. Hope to gain some tips and tricks to improve myself as a cyclist, improve my bikes, and increase my enjoyment of the sport. Hopefully I will also be able to give what little advice I can supply also. Mahalo (Thank You) Bike Forums!

Welcome, Gflash. Three weeks of rain! Well, I guess that's still better than three weeks of snow.

I have 3 questions about cycling in your islands. 1. Is it safe to use public campgrounds? I have heard some horror stories. And the hotels all seem expensive. 2. What is the time record for biking the +- 180 mile loop around the big island? 3. Where can I find more about the famous ride down one of your volcanos?

hey im from kaneohe. yeah what is up with the rain? i totally ate it last night because of the rain haha

Welcome to the forums, Gflash. I'm another Honolulu resident, and as I look out of the window of my office, all I can see are grey cloudy skys. Bummer... Oh well, looks like the trainer gets more use this afternoon.


I have 3 questions about cycling in your islands. 1. Is it safe to use public campgrounds? I have heard some horror stories. And the hotels all seem expensive. 2. What is the time record for biking the +- 180 mile loop around the big island? 3. Where can I find more about the famous ride down one of your volcanos?

Hi, Ken. Answers to your questions: 1. Public campgrounds can be safe, but it's really hit or miss. You need a permit to camp - contact the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources about obtaining a permit. One thing you definitely don't want to do is camp on the beach without a permit.

2. I don't know if there is a record for riding around the Big Island. If you do, be careful when you go north of Hilo and south of Kona. There are some windy roads with little or no shoulder. Cars and large trucks will pass you very closely going upwards of 50 mph. And in the afternoon, Waimea is usually very foggy which limits visibility for cars.

3. People pay money on organized rides down Haleakala on Maui. If you are an avid cyclist, you won't like it. The bikes are big, heavy beach cruiser-looking monsters and they make you wear a huge motorcycle helmet. I'm sure it's really fun for people who don't bike too much, but I'd never do it.

2. I don't know if there is a record for riding around the Big Island. If you do, be careful when you go north of Hilo and south of Kona. There are some windy roads with little or no shoulder. Cars and large trucks will pass you very closely going upwards of 50 mph.


People are only going 50 mph if it's raining buckets. More like 65. (50 woul d be the saddle road.) Windy and windy, heh.

North of Hilo are some of the big wide roads, but those gulches would be dangerous. South of Kona is another story.

Glad to hear from the local Hawaii riders on the forum. Yeah, wassup with da rain! I have lived in Hawaii all my life and I dont recall ever seeing it rain for such a prolonged period of time!

Ken Cummings, Sprocketman hit it on the nose, Camp grounds are hit or miss in Hawaii depnding on the area. If you are miltary or formal military or Dod employee you may be able to stay at the camp ground at Bellows Airfield if you are on the Island of Oahu. The camp area has a civilian side and a miltary side (althought the beach is accessible by anyone). The civilian side will need a permit. The military side has recreational facilities and cabins which are always booked and need to be reserved early. It is also very secure since you have miltary security and a gate. I am fortunate enough to have access to the military side and it is a good place to camp or stay for a three day weekend if you have a family.

I have never ridden on the Big Island but I can also back up Sprocket Man's and brkwind's descriptions of Big Island Roads. Very narrow windy roads up North of Hilo and South of Kona. Waimea is a lot cooler due to elevation and if you are biking from East to west, after Waimea you willl hit the Kona side of the Big Island, which is a lot warmer and home to the Ironman Triathalon. So be prepared for some temperature transition.

Organized rides down Haleakala definitely geared for the non-cyclist or casual cyclist. You may want to rent a bike from one of the local bike shops or bring your own ride. The organized rides bring you up the mountain and you ride down. But if you are on your own you will need to ride up (hope you are in good shape) or ask one of the local bike shops who rent bikes to see if they have some type of drop off self-guided ride.

Thanks for the advice. I get a feeling guerrilla camping is out due to the number of hidden gardens of cannabis reputed to be there. My dad gave up hunting in northern California due to threats from growers of herb. I heard once that someone did the big downhill run in about an hour on a road bike. Anyone try it yet on a faired recumbent? With hairy big brakes and/or a drag parachute :D . How about mountain biking to ncrease route options? Or are there too many ranches, farms, and parks? It would be fun to ride thru a lava tube. Considerin my old occupation I would like to go into some of those water supply tunnels. Another thought. Has anyone gone between islands on one of the modern pedal powered boats?

I get a feeling guerrilla camping is out due to the number of hidden gardens of cannabis reputed to be there.

The weed patches are hidden far away from main roads, but the reason you should be worried is that some people are very territorial here. They'll send their pit bulls after you. In fact, keep a careful watch out for nasty dogs at all times, as they often let them run loose.