-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Re: [bfclubhi] touring the big island
Date:	Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:23:04 -0600
From:	Anne Kluznik <akluznik@...>
To:	jbfriday@...
References:	<47516864.80809@...> <f57fb2076571a.475122dd@...>

JB,
Thank you so much for the detailed reply.  A couple more questions if you don't mind.  If I rode from Kona up the coastal road how is to 270 up to Hawi and would it be doable to ride 250 south from Hawi to Waimea?  My tentaive plans were to ride from Kona to Hawi and stay, then to Waimea stay, on to Honokaa and stay, one of the the innkeepers in Honokaa said it is only a fifteen mile down hill from Waimea.  Do you think the ride from Kona to Hawi or Waimea would be too tough and that maybe I should break it up and see if I can stay overnight somewhere along the way?  I"m probably good for 50 to 60 miles a day, but I am a rather slow climber plus I will have panniers.  I'm a tourer at heart.... going fast is not in the cards for me.  Also, considering I'm not familiar with the island and I have 6 days to get back to Hilo from Kona what areas of the island we you consider the best to use my free days?  Thank you again.  It is great to have a locals perspective.  Anne

J B Friday wrote:

Dear Anne,

Yes, we do have a bus system that crosses the island. Also, there's no problem riding back. The northern route through the town of Waimea is probably easier than the southern route. Waimea itself is about 2800 feet elev so it will be quite a climb to get there. Coming from Kona, you can either travel the coast road to Kawaihae or the upper road. The coast road has wide shoulders and lots of cyclists (triathletes, as it's where they hold the Ironman.) The upper road has no shoulders at times. I've never ridden it and I never see cyclists on it. Both roads have traffic at 55 mph +. The highway through the windward side has wide shoulders. Lots of climbs in and out of gulches. All in all more traffic than the southern route but not as much climbing (the climb Hilo to Volcano is 4000 feet.) On the windward side you can try to find the old road through Ahualoa coming out of Waimea going to Hilo and certainly the "scenic drive" from Pepeekeo to Papaiko near Hilo.

For a longer ride you could ride up the coast all the way to Kapaau on the northern tip of the island and ride the Kohala Mountain Road back into Waimea.

Waimea is the center of vegetable farming here. There's a good farmers market at the Hawaiian Homes complex in Waimea but I'm not sure of the dates.

Kohala and Waimea are the center of ranching here, but "ranching" has largely become real estate development. (Don't let they cowboys hear that...)

Lots of small farms have sprung up on the Hamakua coast after the demise of sugar ten years ago. More as you approach Hilo. Hilo has the best farmers markets in the state, Saturday and Wednesday.

Honokaa has transformed from a plantation town to a viable diverse community. A nice ride would be out to see the Waipio valley lookout 7 miles north of town.

I would not recommend Saddle Road unless you're a real adventurer in top shape. A 6,700 foot climb and a road with fast traffic and no shoulders.

Be prepared for rain on the windward side of the island.

Good luck,

J. B. Friday

----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Kluznik <akluznik@ncweb.com>
Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007 3:58 am
Subject: [bfclubhi] touring the big island
To: bfclubhi@yahoogroups.com

>
>
>
>
>
> Hello,
> I'm participating in a sustainability bicycle tour on the big
> island
> from december 15-22 starting in Hilo and ending in Kona via the
> southern
> route. We will be visiting farms all along the way, which is of
> great
> interest to me as we have a nursery/farm in Ohio. I'm hoping to
> come
> home refreshed and with some new ideas to put into action here in
> Ohio.
> The tour ends in Kona and I am tentatively planning on riding my
> bike
> back to Hilo via the northern route although I have heard that
> throwing
> my bike on the bus is a possibility. Any route suggestions, places
> to
> visit, and not to be missed sights would be greatly appreciated. I
> have
> from the 22 to the 28th to get back to Hilo. If any other Bike
> Friday
> owners would care to get in some cycling it would be fantastic to
> share
> the experience. Anne Kluznik(pedaling a purple air glide)
>