Passing through O'ahu, looking for a good ride

How far do you want to ride and what day of the week will you be here?  That will play a major factor if you want to avoid traffic.

If you'll be here on a Saturday or Sunday, I know a couple of morning group rides that I have done.  Both rides start near diamond head (about 15 minutes driving from the airport).

Hey you two, thanks for the replies.

Maui is so tempting... I may just have to hop a plane.

I'll be there on a Wednesday, so I assume traffic is going to be an issue if i stick to O'ahu.  I'd really like to do a longish ride... maybe 60-80 miles out-and-back. 

If you want the simplest ride where you can't get lost, I would say the north shore is your best bet (It will take about 45 minutes to drive there from the airport).  You can start from Haleiwa town and ride out towards Kaneohe and back and get in about 50-100 miles depending how far you want to go.  You stay on the same road the whole time, so it's impossible to get lost.  The shoulders are minimal at best, and it is two lane traffic, so it does get a little tight...but this is the country side of the island, so car traffic is minimal.  The one thing though is that it's mostly flat, but is a very beautiful ride. 

I do another ride that wraps around the other side of the island, going from Diamond head, around Hawaii Kai, then to Kailua.  This route is also very scenic, but is a bit more complicated as it doesn't stay on the same road the whole time.  This route also has some pretty good hills thrown in there. 

To be safe, you don't want to be on the road between 6am and 8am and 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.

When I have time, I'll see if I can link some of the routes from my garmin.

Bring your camera too.  Some of the views are absolutely amazing.  I have lived here all my life...and I haven't noticed how beautiful this island is until riding my bike around some of these areas.  It's not the same when driving by in a car.

are you looking for training rides ? or just pleasure ?

 riding is passable on Oahu, but cars are crazy, roads bike unfriendly.

Big Island has got the roads for biking IMHO. if you've got the time, why not head over there ?

Metafizx,

Just a single ride... mostly pleasure I suppose.  I have a long layover (~12 hours) and will have my bike, so I figured I should ride instead of sitting in the President's Club at the airport sipping a beer.   

Noel,

Are you talking about the Hilo side of the Big Island?  I have only been to Hilo a few times, but can't remember the road conditions.

As far as Kona...Queen K hwy is extremely bike friendly...and we all know how much history is there as far as triathlons are concerned.  But seriously...it's riding in an oven in the middle of an endless lava field.  It loses it's aura pretty quick if you ask me...

Tri808...

Hmm, not sure how that blank post got there. 

Cost isn't so much of an issue.  I really wouldn't mind paying $100-150 to fly to Maui.  Mostly just concerned about getting in a situation that would cause me to miss my connecting flight.

Storage of my stuff won't be an issue if I stay on O'ahu as I will have my hotel room into the afternoon.  I suppose I could rent a car on Maui, but that seems like a waste just using it for a locker. 

Yes, I suppose it is a bit of a hassle... but I love cycling and live on a small, flat island.  The thought of riding REAL roads again is pretty exciting.  Of course I am going to get 5-6 weeks of riding in on my trip, so I suppose I could just relax during my layover and have that beer after all. 

well, I would stick to Oahu if you only have a 12 hour layover...

as Tri808 mentioned, you will have to fork out quite a bit to go to outer islands, and it isn't worth it with that short of time.

since you will be in the Honolulu area, I would ride up Kalanianole Hwy to Hawaii Kai, but detour through Hawaii Kai drive (check google maps) to bypass the coastal road, since it is very narrow for cyclists..then you can swing back to the coastal road to continue on to the windward side (waimanalo and kailua). as far as you wish to go really.