HAWAII BICYCLE TOUR
The Big Island.

Hawaii offers sunshine, hills, warm rain, good shoulders, light traffic, incredible vegetation, and of course volcanoes. Hope you can join us for some good riding through lava fields, world class beach side roads, great volcanic climbs and descents into Hawaiian magic towns.

GETTING THERE AND BACK:
Riders need to get themselves to our hotel in Kona on the Big Island on the afternoon of Saturday November 10th. Most airport taxis are vans, so can easily accommodate a bicycle. In 2010 it was a $30 taxi ride to our hotel. Our first day of riding is Sunday November 11th.

THE RIDING:
We average a casual 50-98 km (more or less) per day (see itinerary). The terrain is up and down with the occasional long climb. You are given a map and road log each day. Ride at whatever speed you like. Odds are there will be someone that likes to ride at your speed. Our van will transport your gear from hotel to hotel and does not follow up behind riders, but will return to get riders if need be.
On a couple of days we are at the same hotel for two nights. People may choose to take a day off or go for hike or snorkel, or take part in an out and back ride. People are expected to bike the full distance, though if your knees are sore or if your legs need a day of rest, arrangements can be made for a shuttle.
The roads are in good shape. Most cyclists choose to bring a road bike, though a Mtn. bike with slicks would work too. Most of the riding is along a highway that circles the island. The highway, for the most part, offers a 3 foot shoulder (sometimes 8 feet). There is the odd stretch with minimal to no shoulder. Some days we’ll ride on very quiet side roads which parallel the highway. The island is not flat, but grades are typically gentle.

WEATHER:
You will ride through about 12 different Climatic Zones. Parts of the island receive less than 6 inches of rain a year (Kona side), the other side of the island receives over 200 inches a year (Hilo side). Day time temperatures last year were high twenties and into the thirties, and not much of a drop in the evenings. We have had rain on past trips, it actually feels good, when it rains (often in the evening or late afternoon), it is not cold, but refreshing. Winds can blow on the headlands. For our two nights up near the volcano, evenings can be cool due to the elevation (4,000 ft).

MEALS:
3 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included in this package, bananas & PB sandwiches will be available for your rides. Some “happy hour” snacks will be provided most days. There is typically a good choice of restaurants near our hotels. Food is a little pricier in Hawaii than what you might be accustomed to. Expect to pay 15-20% more than Canadian norms.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nothing terribly fancy, basic, clean friendly. Three of our nights we will sleep in bed and breakfasts some bathrooms will be shared. Rooms are booked with double occupancy; if traveling solo, we’ll try to find you a same sex roommate, if this is not possible you will have single occupation; due hotel pricing we’ll collect 50% of the single supplement fee on the final payment, ($212) if a roommate is found we’ll refund you the supplement fee. Nights from November 10th to November 19th are included in the package.
Note, if you are arriving early or staying a few extra days and want us to book you into the same hotel we use, please give us lots of notice.

COST:
$1455 CAD per person. Based on double occupancy.
$1455 + 425 CAD per person. Single occupancy, if wishing a room to yourself.

HOW TO RESERVE:
$100 non-refundable deposit reserves a spot. Full payment is due 60 days before the tour start. (September 10th). We are not required to collect tax on this trip (tour is outside Canada). Please make cheques payable to GABRIOLA ISLAND CYCLE & KAYAK. We are not able to process credit cards. Thank you.

Cancellation fee 31-60 days prior to the start: Full deposit + 20% final payment.
Cancellation fee 1-30 days prior to the start: Full deposit + 40% final payment.