Hawaii for 8 weeks (with biking?)
 

I'm a North Carolina native and a UNC student (tomorrow will be a good day). I have just accepted an 8-week Planetary Geology internship at U of Hawaii - Manoa. I would like to bring my bike, rent a bike long term, or pursue some other arrangement that keeps me in the saddle. What would be the best way to do this?

I know very little about interisland transportation, and that is crucial, especially since I want to climb Haleakela and other such things during the weekends. The thought of having to pay to bring my bike on airplanes when I go between islands scares me greatly. Maybe I will ship my bike and then rent on the other islands.

Any thoughts you have on:
(1) Getting a bike to Hawaii
(2) Biking on different islands/getting around between islands
(3) Good routes for road riding (either short loops in Honolulu or longer rides that must be done)
(4) Group rides/ good LBS in Honolulu near the University
(5) Anything Hawaiian

Thanks!

When are you going to be here? Here is a schedule for rides and events in the area for April - http://hbl.org/?q=event/2009/04/02/month

The only group ride I've ever done is Tantalus on Wed afternoons. That is an awesome ride and the people were always pretty cool. The Haleiwa metric centry is on 26APR and that is supposed to be a nice ride, I'm signing up for that one.

The only way to go from one island to another is by airplane. Check with all the different airlines - Hawaiian, Mokulele, Go!, Island Air, Pacific Wings, etc on what their bike prices and rules are. Some of the puddle-jumpers may not take bikes.

On Hawai'i our roads are narrow with blind curves, bad weather and often without shoulders. There are bike tour places you can call about possible routes and maybe even rentals. There are very few places that will rent bikes. Hilo Bike Hub in Hilo may be able to make route suggestions for East Hawai'i. (no rentals) However, I can't imagine why you'd actually want to ride on the highways here. Some of the more interesting roads like Kohala Mountain Road and sections of Old Mamalahoa Highway are also some of the more dangerous. The upper cane haul road between Pahala and Na'alehu might be interesting, but be aware of a long stretch of cobble and unpaved on the Na'alehu side. The best bike option on Hawai'i would be taking a mountain bike out on some of the mountain roads, in the timber plantations, and on old cane field roads, but you'd need a car to tote the bike around from place to place with. (These places won't be very well mapped, though.) Watch out for dogs, many of which are hunting dogs trained to chase and grapple/kill pigs. Pit bulls are popular. "Local" people can be very territorial at times. You will see a lot of "no trespassing", "beware of dog", "private road", "keep out" and "kapu" signs.

Finally, Do Not Bike On Saddle Road!

I have no answers for you but wanted to congratulate you on a great internship. I hope you have a great time!!

Thanks for the congratulations. I'll be in Hawaii for most of June and July.

I was afraid that there would be no way to get my bike between islands other than flying. However, seeing as it is the summer, I would just about die without any saddle time. Is Oahu a terrible place to ride in general, or can a seasoned cyclist find some road routes that aren't completely scary?

Any thoughts you have on:
(1) Getting a bike to Hawaii
Grab your ankles. It's been a long while since I've shipped a bike, and I thought it was a rip back then..

(2) Biking on different islands/getting around between islands
Sorry, 'have only ridden on Oahu, but came ever-so-close to renting a bike from South Maui Cycles (I think) to go scale Haleakala. If I ever get a hardcase, I'm going.

(3) Good routes for road riding (either short loops in Honolulu or longer rides that must be done)
Dude, jrn threw you a good bone, go take a look. Tatalus-Round Top Drive is my favorite loop, hands down. Plus it's right at the mouth of Manoa Valley, it doesn't get much closer than that.

(4) Group rides/ good LBS in Honolulu near the University
Check the HBL ride sched. Shopwise I'll wander into Island Triathlon & Bike on Kapahulu Ave. They seem to know which end is up.

(5) Anything Hawaiian
Hawaiian plate lunch, Waiola Store shave ice, and Bubbies


Did anybody tell you this place is not cheap, yet?...:innocent:

Hey, we've got a bicycle group, Cycle Manoa, based on the Manoa campus. Send me a PM and I'll get you hooked up.

Maui Cycling
 

When I went to Maui I did a bike tour/ride with Donnie Arnoult with Go Cycling Maui. He rents Litespeeds and does an awesome job of supporting his riders!! I am not affiliated whatsoever with him, he just does an awesome job and you can also rent bikes from the bike store that he owns. Here is his website:
http://www.gocyclingmaui.com/index.html

Climbing Haleakala is friggin awesome!!! Over 10,000 ft of climbing in only 38 miles!! Have a great summer!!!