Biking in Honolulu and Oahu

Oahu's coastal roads are flat, well paved, and unfortunately, awash in vehicular traffic. Frankly, biking is no fun in either Waikiki or Honolulu, but things are a bit better outside the city.

Honolulu City and County Bike Coordinator (808/768-8335) can answer all your biking questions concerning trails, permits, and state laws.

Best Spots

Our favorite ride is in central Oahu on the Aiea Loop Trail (Central Oahu, just past Keaiwa Heiau State Park, at end of Aiea Heights Dr.). There's a little bit of everything you expect to find in Hawaii—wild pigs crossing your path, an ancient Hawaiian heiau (holy ground), and the remains of a World War II crashed airplane. Campsites and picnic tables are available along the way and, if you need a snack, strawberry guava trees abound. Enjoy watching the foliage change from bamboo to Norfolk pine in your climb along this 4½-mi track.

If going up a mountain is not your idea of mountain biking, then perhaps Kaena Point Trail (West Oahu, end of Farrington Hwy.) is better suited to your needs. A longer ride (10 mi), but much flatter, takes you oceanside around the westernmost point on the island. You pass sea arches and a mini-blowhole then finish up with some motocross jumps right before you turn around. There's no water on this ride either, but at least at the end you have the Yokohama beach showers to cool you off.

Biking the North Shore may sound like a great idea, but the two-lane road is narrow and traffic-heavy. We suggest you try the West Kaunala Trail (End of Pupukea Rd. This road is next to Foodland, the only grocery store on North Shore). It's a little tricky at times, but with the rain-forest surroundings and beautiful ocean vistas you'll hardly notice your legs burning on the steep ascent at the end. It's about 5½ mi round-trip. Bring water because there's none on the trail unless it comes from the sky.

Equipment & Tours

Blue Sky Rentals & Sports Center. Known more for motorcycles than for man-powered bikes, Blue Sky does have bicycles for $25 for 8 hours, $30 for a day, and $75 per week—no deposit is required. The prices include a bike, a helmet, and a lock. 1920 Ala Moana Blvd., across from Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Honolulu. 808/947-0101.

Boca Hawaii LLC. This is your first stop if you want to do intense riding. The triathlon shop, owned and operated by top athletes, has full-suspension Trek 4500s for mountain bikes or Trek 1000 for street bikes, both for $35 a day but that drops to $25 a day if you rent it for more than one day. Call ahead and reserve a bike as supplies are limited. 330 Cooke St., next to Bike Factory, Kakaako, Honolulu. 808/591-9839.

Hawaii Bicycling League. Not much for riding by yourself? Visit this shop online, and you can get connected with rides and contests. Box 4403, Honolulu, 96813. 808/735-5756. www.hbl.org.

Bike Hawaii. Whether it's road tours of the North Shore or muddy off-road adventures in Kaaawa Valley, this is the company to get you there. They also offer combination packages including snorkeling or hiking. Three-hour road tours start out at $53 with the six-hour mountain-biking foray running $106. Box 240170, Honolulu, 96824. 877/682-7433. www.bikehawaii.com.