Kona Bike Rental

We are wanting to ride the 112 mile Ironman bike course while in town. We have looked at a few bike shops to rent from and it seems as though Bike Works, located in the Old Industrial area will be able to accomodate our needs. Does anyone have any feedback about this shop? Or any additional suggestions.

thanks,

m

Kona Bike Rental

They are a reputable company and have been in the business for a long time. Their store is just a block off the highway, next to Jim%26#39;s Shoe Repair and Pacific Island Fitness.

Kona Bike Rental

re riding the course, just be aware that it%26#39;s very different riding it with full traffic on it than for the race, when the road is closed.

The most pleasant part to ride is from Kawaihae to Hawi. This highway is not terribly busy. Next best segment is between Waikoloa Road and Kawaihae. While busy, it%26#39;s not that bad. Next south, from the airport to Waikoloa, is heavily traveled, but the worst is from town to the airport. This stretch is heavily congested and there%26#39;s roadwork.

All of Hwy 19, from Kailua-Kona to the Hawi turnoff, is much used by semi-trucks going highway speed and I imagine they draft a lot of wind ... a windy area anyway.

btw, I often see people biking between say the Mauna Lani turnoff and Hawi. Not so much south of there, except when the Ironman training is going hot and heavy. In other words, the one part is a nice ride and the rest is something to be trained for the competition, but in no sense it is a pleasant ride, especially with all the traffic (some of which gets crazy with people passing and forcing cars onto the shoulder).

Be careful.

Thank you for the feedback. I am going to schedule pick-up for our bikes. Of course, we would much rather bring our own, but are not willing to risk damage in shipping them over from Portland.

KK,thank you for the warning of the continued road construction (hasn%26#39;t it been going on for the past 3 years or so in that area). Our friends over in Hilo also suggested riding the route out to Hawi.

We are both very seasoned triathletes, so I am sure the distance will be fine... its the weather and heat we are most concerned about. Thank goodness there we have family traveling also, and are willing to set-up water and aide stations from the back of the car every 15-20 miles.

Thanks again for the help. I am sure I will be back for more.

m

My husband rented a road bike from here when we visited the island last spring, and he was happy with it. They seemed to be very accomodating and helpful, and he felt he got a good quality bike.

He also joined in a couple of Saturday morning rides that are sponsored by the Hawaii Cycling Club. They meet at 7 a.m. at the Old Airport parking lot. The local riders were welcoming, and most of then were terrific riders, he said. They gave him some good tips about cycling in the area and a few invited him to join them on rides at other times while we were in the area. He really enjoyed that experience.

One nice thing about group rides aside from the social aspect is they create a presence on the road which adds to safety. Hawai%26#39;i drivers are not very used to bicyclists on the roads outside of Ironman time, and not particularly watchful or respectful of their road rights.

The construction is just one area coming out of Kona where they%26#39;re widening the road. LOL, roadwork here never ends, it just relocates slightly.

Like I said, be aware of the many semitrucks on Hwy 19, as they%26#39;ll be passing you at highway speed at only five feet or so distance of away from you. You%26#39;re braver than I to do that. (but I%26#39;m not that brave, ;-) )