Cycling and Mountain Biking on the Big Island of Hawaii!

Look and listen for traffic approaching from behind.
Ride single file on public roads or highways.
Always ride with traffic at all times. Be visible & stay alive!
Let motorists know what you are doing. Make eye contact!
Wear bright clothes and a helmet for visiability and SAFETY!
Respect all traffic laws including hands signals, stop signs/ lights.
At night ride with lights, flashers & reflectors.

Mountain Biking on the Big Island:

What is your current skill level?

Novice: Knows the rules of the road. Has a good working knowledge of bikes. Good at shifting and braking. Capable of riding roads, highways, or unimproved / hard-pack roads for 1-2 hours in duration. Should know how to change a flat tire and use a patch kit!
Intermediate: Same as above. Plus, ability to ride a variety of terrains including: off-road and on trails, pahoehoe lava, across roots and through short sections loose of gravel or rocks. Good at low speed balancing and switching directions. Possesses a moderate climbing ability along with good hiking skills. Able to maintain a safe speed when descending off-road and knows their stopping distance. Experiments with some single track. Capable of cycling for 1-3 Hours.
Advanced Intermediate: Excellent bike handling skills. Good climbing ability. Able to safely bike and/or hike most single track. Able to pick a line while descending through sections of loose rock/cinder. Can ride aggressive off-road conditions for 2-6 hours in duration.
Expert: All the above; plus the ability to bomb the downhills and not crash.

The Big Island has many different types of terrain to play on! While enjoying the beauty of Hawaii there are many hazards you must be aware of: thorns,
stumps, logs, holes or "pukas", sudden weather changes, flash floods, and hunters. I recommend cycling with "tuffy liners" that go in between the tire and tube as well as Slime for your tubes. With both of these products protecting your tubes and tires, you'll spend more time riding and less fixing flats!

Regions of the Big Island!

North Kohala: The north Kohala coast is the oldest part of the Big Island and sits on the very northern tip of the Big Island. This section of coastline is fairly exposed and subject to sudden weather changes as well as strong, gusty tradewinds at certain times of the year.

South Kohala: There are many parks that are just a short bike ride away if you are staying at one of the many Kohala Coast accommodations

at Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Puako, or in the Hapuna area. The destinations incluede in the book are located along a 14 mile (22.5 km) section of the Big Island. It goes from Kiholo Bay to Kawaihae Road on the northwest side of the Big Island. This area receives the least amount of rain on the island which is why the resorts are built here. Gusty tradewinds can frequent the area. Just plan on some; wind maybe you'll be surprised!

North Kona: This section of the Big Island sits on the west coast under the Hualalai Volcano which protects this area from strong trades. "Kona" is consistently reported as one of the State's warmest areas. Hualalai tends to cloud over in the afternoon but wear sunscreen. There is a bike lane with ripple strips in both directions along the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (#19). Try to ride when traffic is not heavy. Use caution when riding on Ali'i Drive as there are lots of inattentive, rude people out there. Don't count on turn signals.

Hamakua: The Hamakua Coast used to be known for its sugar cane fields but the industry has collapsed in Hawaii. There are many new uses for the land including growing trees for paper production. This section of coast line is fairly exposed and subject to sudden weather changes as well as strong, gusty tradewinds at certain times of the year. Check the local weather forecast before you go on the ride so you can bring the correct clothing and gear.

Puna: This area is green for a reason… Rain! Check the local weather forecast before you go on the ride so you can bring the correct clothing and gear. The Puna district is fairly exposed and subject to sudden weather changes as well as strong, gusty tradewinds at certain times of the year. This area is the most eastern point in the State as well as being very volcanically active! Magma just underground has geothermally heated some of the brackish pools and several warm ponds in the area. They are enjoyable for swimming or just soaking after biking. The coastal roads in the area are mostly well paved, extra wide single lanes with rough shoulders and some blinds spots. You will be riding through canopy of trees riding from the shade into sunlight often.

Kau: The first people to discover Hawai'i arrived on the southern end of the Big Island 1,200 years (500-800 AD) ago. They used only natural forms of navigation: stars, currents, birds, and cloud formations to travel over 2,400 miles (3,800km) on the open sea. The southern part of the Big Island continues to erupt as it did when the first settlers arrived. Kilauea is the current home of the Hawaiian Fire Goddess Pele and has been erupting almost continuously since 1983.

Ka Lae (the point) or South Point is the southern most spot in the Hawaiian Islands and the United States. The southern part of the island is very exposed and subject to sudden weather changes. The trees that grow sideways indicate that strong, gusty tradewinds frequent the area. Check the local weather forecast before you go on the ride so you can bring the correct clothing and gear or select a ride a less exposed trail or part of the island.