Just curious if there are any XC trails on Kauai... any info would be helpful, thanks!! :D

Here (http://www.hawaiitrails.org/home.asp) you are. Go crazy.:D

Quite an extensive site on that hawaiitrails.org site, thanks for the tip GaryS. There's a couple on Kauai that I've ridden, that weren't listed on that site.

I've recently ridden the Kealia Trails near Kapaa. Good beginner/intermed. XC stuff, mostly along the shoreline as you head north. Kind of a "web" of trails that all link together. I was riding with 3 non-bikers, so I got as far as the third creek crossing, before heading back, I'm sure there's plenty more that I didn't ride.

Also, a little more challenging is Kalepa Ridge, south of Kapaa. Knowing which trail to go around is the key here. Some deep ruts and chutes, as this place is also popular with dirt bikers. If you make it to the end, there's a good view of the Opakeaa Falls.

We have these two trails listed right here:

http://content.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-hawaii/PLS_4543crx.aspx

Both times, I rented from Jason at Kauai Cycle and Tour, a good guy and a good shop.

-g

Thanks guys... can't believe all the trails on that island!! :eek:

I think I'll take the ones without the hazards of cliffs & bees & hunters, thank you... :p :D

Mangled post.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=752701#poststop

Enjoy.

Many of these trails are illegal to MTB on...

http://www.hawaiitrails.org/island.asp?island=Kauai

Check this post for legal trails and bike rentals on Kauai...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=752701#poststop

Enjoy.

Check this post for legal trails and bike rentals on Kauai...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=752701#poststop

Enjoy.

Thanks, good to know where to begin. I appreciate the info. :)

Thanks, good to know where to begin. I appreciate the info. :)
Talk to Johnny at the Bike Doktor in Hanalei, he can tell you the trail conditions on the north shore (i.e. Princeville side of the Powerline Trail). They run a couple rides out of the shop a week. Kauai Cycle and Tour in Kapaa has regular group rides too.

Out of all the bike rental spots, who's going to have the highest end bikes. I'm talking full suspension, disc brakes, clipless pedals.

Obviously, I'd like to bring my own shoes and helmet.

Thanks.

Out of all the bike rental spots, who's going to have the highest end bikes. I'm talking full suspension, disc brakes, clipless pedals.

Obviously, I'd like to bring my own shoes and helmet.

Thanks.
You should bring your own pedals along with the helmet and shoes (don't forget your pedal wrench). They might not have your type (cleats wouldn't match). I'd try both of those shops as I'm not sure what their rental fleets consist of now.

Kauai Cycle and Tour has mostly Specialized now. When I was there 3 years ago, they had Konas. This is the only shop I'm familiar with, but I'm sure a quick call to each shop will answer your question.

DO bring your own pedals. I can tell you that the shop pedals at Kauai Cycle and Tour are all Shimanos (I use Egg Beaters, myself). Due to packing constraints, I decided to leave my own helmet at home and go with the rental helmets. Surprisingly, they weren't as funky as I thought they would be.

DO NOT be an idiot like me, and pack bike tools in your carry on. I totally forgot I had a multi-tool in my pack, and I had to either have it confiscated (with no option to get it back) or stand in line again and check my bag. I stood in line.

I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.

-g

:) Thanks for the heads up. It'll be sweet riding somewhere completely new and beautiful. On the other hand, I see myself transforming into "slug mode" while chillin in paradise. :cool:

I see myself transforming into "slug mode" while chillin in paradise. :cool:
usually referred to as "polynesian paralysis".
</sl4yer>

I'm heading to Kauai on Monday. Is there anyone who can convince me to bring my shoes, helmet and pedals? If there was a shuttle run down Waimea Canyon there'd be no question about it... <seriously joking> ;)

That'd be sweet, though...

I'm heading to Kauai on Monday. Is there anyone who can convince me to bring my shoes, helmet and pedals? If there was a shuttle run down Waimea Canyon there'd be no question about it... <seriously joking> ;)

That'd be sweet, though...

I was in Kauai this week, and I rented a bike from Kauai Cycles in Kapa'a. I brought my helmet and shoes (spd). They swapped out the pedals for me. I happened to rent a brand new Specialized FSR XC with Deore LX components for $35. The bike felt nice a and tight because it was new. It didn't look like it was ever rented.

The guy at the shop recommended a trail that starts across the street from the shop, and goes North along the beach for about 4 miles. After that, the trail splits at different points and I somehow ended up in private property (yes, check my screen name), so I decided to continue up the highway and did a road ride towards Kilauea instead. Good thing I found a fruit stand, because it was hot and humid.

I didn't see any riders on the trails, so there's no one to ask for directions, and they aren't marked well, or not at all, at least not the trail I went on. Also, the bike shop didn't have a map of the "trails" they ride. I recommend you ride with the locals. They do a 25 mile Sunday morning ride out of Kauai Cycle every week. I rented my bike Monday, so I missed out on that. If you decide to do the ride on Sunday, make sure you rent the bike on Saturday, because the shop is closed Sunday.

I don't recommend Outfitters Kauai in Koloa, because the one salesperson I talked to tried discourage me from riding on any trails other than some easy flat fireroads for fear of you getting into private property and getting their bike confiscated by the landowner, and that most of the mountains that you would think would have killer riding trails are actually all private property. They also said that if a landowner catches you on their property on a bike, it is within their rights to take your bike away from you and becomes their property. I don't know if this is true, but this is what they told me. Maybe some of the locals can verify this?

I probably didn't convince you to bring your shoes, but you should bring your own helmet... think about all that smelly renter sweathog grease and crust streaming down from the helmet pads and making their way into your eyes!

They also said that if a landowner catches you on their property on a bike, it is within their rights to take your bike away from you and becomes their property. I don't know if this is true, but this is what they told me. Maybe some of the locals can verify this?

I think they would need a gun or a big fast dog. Either way, unless they killed you and fed you to the pigs, you could go to the cops and have them arrested for theft. If they called the cops, and they had your bike, you could get them arrested for theft. Unless your taking crops, or doing malicious deeds the fine is not that big (maybe $1000.00) and if you got there by accident, I doubt any judge would give you more than a warning.

That being said, if you found yourself in a state park, it's $500.00 and the cops can confiscate your bike (Robert? correct me if I'm wrong).

Have fun out here, do one of the Sunday rides.

Aloha

Just the sort of feedback I'm looking for. I'm hearing warnings about hunting on the island. Is this something I should be worried about?

The Sunday ride sounds like the best way to get the full experience of island riding. I'll definitely look into it. The weather's looking fairly wet next week. Common Sunshine!

We booked our honeymoon for July of this year, so we'll probably check out Kauai Cycles. We'll be spending a few days in Oahu also, looks like Bike Hawaii Tours might be the way to go over there.

Have any of you locals (or visitors) had any experiences with Bike Hawaii?? Also, can we just arrive at the island and book a tour, or would it be better to make reservations online before-hand??

Check out the DH Hawaii site before making plans on Oahu. There's lots of riding here especially since it's usually driest around that time of year. I'm guessing by "XC trails" you mean trail-riding until your ass cramps. . . trust me, we can more than accomodate that request. Anyhow, keep posting and you'll have plenty of options by the time your plane touches down on Hawaiian soil.