Recreational & Family - Riding in Hawaii

I am looking forward to a 10 day visit to my sister in law and her family on Oahu in June. She has a MTB that I can borrow (we are about the same size) and I hear that I can also rent bikes in different places.

Are there any members from/been to/living in Hawaii that can suggest some neato rides that I've just-gotta-check-out? I heard that there is a ride to the top of a volcano? sounds cool....

I am a roadie, and not so much experienced with off road, stump jumping, mud splashing stuff, so I'd be looking for rides on easier terrain.

Thanks!

You might want to look on the Internet or a search engine for a local bike club on Oahu. I'm sure they would have any info that would help you. I would think, that in this day and age, the tourism bureau would have information also. If they have bike lanes now they should have documented bike maps. Good luck......sounds like a great trip!!

thanks for the reply. I've gone and been back already and didn't ride even one day; there is soooo much to do there! It was a great trip; I'm homesick already! Liz

If you've got the cojones -

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12004

and this too:
http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread/t-11737.html

it doesn't sound like it's for the faint of heart though, let alone the weak of legs ;)

My partner and i cycled around the "big island" and mixed camping with lodging. We did plenty of research beforehand and this is what we found:

Hilo > Kona > Hilo = 250miles.

Hilo >> Arnott's lodge is a wonderful home base with international flavor "cheap" hostel-like and once again camp on the grass. Very social. We even met a real live pirate at a party who showed us his collection of black pearls. Also local artisans gather there. Free shuttle bus to and from the airport. Friendly staff.

Honokaa >> Honokaa Club Hotel. This is a plantation style accomodation with plenty of ambiance. Very affordable for what you get. Once again, interesting people gather in places like this for stories and fun. We chose the Hotel beacause there didn't seem to be camping anywhere.

Spencer's Beach >> Beautiful! Camping! Sand! Outdoor shower!

Kona >> Patey's Place Hostel was great! Best bang for buck. We socialized with ironmen/women who were in training. Walk to downtown and groceries.

Captian Cook >> Hotel Manago also gives you the best bang
for buck. Backroads tour agency also uses them. There is plenty of character in this old building along with a lovely cafe'.

Black Sands Beach >> We got the perfect camping spot on the
bluff with the waves crashing and the wind,it was wild! There was an indiginous hawaiian family visiting friends at the cook shelter for some TV, since they had no electricity in the jungle. "believe it or not"...there's plenty of black sand and a resident tortise.

Volcano >> Once you get up there "no worries" there is a state park with showers. Visit Surf's patio cafe' for refreshments! You deserve it! It's all downhill to Hilo.

* i didn't include prices since all i remember was that these were very reasonable. Just have to get a camp permit at the tourism office in Hilo.

wow! great ideas! I'll have to remember those the next time i go to Hawaii. it is such a beautiful place.