Cycling in Puerto Rico

Cycling

Selected areas lend themselves to bike travel. Avoid main thoroughfares, as the traffic is heavy and the fumes are thick. The Paseo Piñones is an 11-mi bike path that skirts the ocean east of San Juan. The entire southwest coast of Cabo Rojo also makes for good biking, particularly the broad beach at Boquerón. Parts of oceanside Route 466 in Isabela that are still development-free make gorgeous rides with breathtaking views. Road bike events are organized year-round by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Ciclismo (787/721-8755. www.federacionciclismopr.com).

At Hot Dog Cycling (5916 Av. Isla Verde, Isla Verde, San Juan. 787/982-5344. www.hotdogcycling.com), Raul del Río and his son Omar rent mountain bikes for $30 a day. They also organize group excursions to El Yunque and other places out on the island. If you want to bike the Paseo Piñones, you can rent bikes for about $5 an hour from Dos Locos (Rte. 187, Km 5, Piñones. 787/565-2537). This little kiosk sits beside Pulpo Loco By the Sea.