Aloha.
Let's hear it for your island.
The shops, the trails.
Share your experiences.
Let's hear it for your island.
The shops, the trails.
Share your experiences.
If I do a mountain bike ride, I'd like to be out there for about two hours and either riding great single track or challenging technical trails.Gatorback said:A couple of questions for the Kauai riders:
Thanks for the info. I got out my trusty guide book and those rides are obviously easy to find. Riding down Polihale Ridge looks like it would give me some serious climbing on the way back.MTBKauai said:If I do a mountain bike ride, I'd like to be out there for about two hours and either riding great single track or challenging technical trails.
Great single track or challenging technical trails DO exist but are not going to be easy to find on your own. Buy John Alford's book. Mountain Biking the Hawaiian Islands.
1. What is my best bet for a mountain bike ride?
Rent from Outfitters or Kauai Cycle and ride the 'Contour' road to 'Polihale Ridge' road (then down Polihale Ridge). Not single track (it's a jeep road) but easy to find and worth the views (plus you'll get to climb a LOT to get back to the car). Avoid Saturday and Sunday as those are hunting days.
2. Should I pick the road climb up the canyon instead?
That would be a good choice if you like road biking. Locals ride up the 'Kekaha' side then down the 'Waimea' side. I'd guess 70 minutes up, 20 down, 20 back to the car. That's just a guess.
3. Does the shop in Kapa'a rent good bikes? Anyone know what they rent?
They got new Specialized something-or-others this year. Stumpys maybe? Drop them a note. I think their web site is in this thread. They'll have better trail info than Outfitters as they are a 'real' shop and their staff ride MTB.
MTBKauai said:In order below (trail reviews above):
Alexander Reservoir
Kalepa Ridge
Powerline Trail
Sleeping Giant (Nounou)
Sure it is. That's the bridge which crosses Opaekaa Stream - at the Kuamoo Road end of the trail.neimac said::nono: that aint nounou
Not sure how much "pleasure" you can derive from riding one, but try Kmart or Wal Mart for a 40lb+ pig. Just don't try to use it as a real mountain bike....nads1978 said:Hi from the UK!
I'm on vacation in Oahu in a few weeks time, and was thinking it might be cheaper for me to buy a couple of budget bikes for the wife and I. Just a mountain bike for pleasure use.
Only thing is - where sells them? - all the shops I can find on the internet are specialist ones.
I only want to be paying around $100 per bike. We have shops in the UK that do this sort of item, where would I find it in the US? - Tried Home depot website - none listed.
Any ideas?
Regards.
I don't know if they'll let non-student participate in this program.nads1978 said:Brilliant thanks, it is going to be left when we leave, we will only be on the road/tracks - nothing too 'hard core!'
Awesome follow up moosehead. One thing though, the shop in Kona is HP Bikeworks.moosehead said:Big ups for Kalopa State Park on northeastern side of BI. Camping sites and cabin rentals available within the park. Bike rentals at BC Bike Works on Kona side.
Xpost with photos here: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=504931
That's really surprising since their crew rides nearly all of the trails on Kauai.Aikislacker said:Just rented bikes from Kauai Cycle in Kappa, based on recommendations on here. Gotta say I'm not real happy with the guy who told me there is NO singletrack on the island. Got much better info from the Wailua RIver Kayak guide than this guy.
I went to this shop to support local riders and was disappointed.
Not sure about the whole getting hurt on roots and rocks thing on the single track on Kauai.akaw said:It is true that there aren't many singletrack trails on Kauai, legal ones anyway. Because it rains quite a bit here, you're liable to hurt yourself with all the roots, ruts, and rocks on the trails. Got some pretty brutal stuff. Best to hook up with someone who knows where to go.