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Aloha Puna Webbers, I have enjoyed reading this forum in preparation for my family's move to the Big Island. There have been so many great threads from building to political and everything in between.
I am curious to know what areas, neighborhoods or subdivisions in Puna would be close to biking. I would assume closer towards volcano would have longer downhill rides.
Are there any parks with trail access for bikes? What is the riding like Makai side? When I was last in Hilo I checked the Bike shops there, but didn't get to ride much.
My ideal neighborhood/subdiv. would be riding distance to the trails, prefer not to drive.
Mahalo
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I don't bike much and I'm not trying to be funny when I say that you will find that some Puna neighborhoods actually are bike trails and a mountain bike would work better than most vehicles there.
I am not aware of much in the way of designated off road biking trail/parks. There are hundreds of miles of mountain bike type roads though.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Volcano National Park strikes me as a place you can get out and enjoy a road ride in the early morning as long as you use caution, wear your helmet, and watch for cars. I don't know all of the trails on the island but most foot trails I have been on are not suitable for mountain bikes. Either they are too heavily used by humans or way to rocky or in some cases way to steep to be safe or you'll have to get off and push on the way up. In the back woods neighborhoods your gonna have to worry about dogs on the loose as well.
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Thanks for the responses. I understand what you mean Rob, after looking at lots for sale in Hawaiian Acres, all I could think of is I could ride for miles. I would get bored riding roads though(except for the loose dogs) double or single track trail riding is mostly what I am looking for. I heard the National park had trails open to mountain biking, when I was last on the B.I. I think I hiked a few of them. Thanks for the trail suggestions Mauka, sounds like you are in a great place for trail access. Any other Big Island(outside Puna) MTB areas I should know about?
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Your in for a big disappointment if your hoping for real mountain biking on the Big Island. It is nothing like what California and other states have. Volcano is only open for road riding, which is fun, but hardly what mountain bikes are intended for; better for a road bike. There is a place near the Univ in Hilo that is substandard by California standards, but might give you a quick fix. Tons of roots and obstacles, but very little down hill. It can be fun, but have a good bike and skills unless you like broken derailluers. Don't mean to be a killjoy, but there are truely bad trails on the BI in general, with lava rock to greet you on the fall.
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There are tons of trails on Mauna Kea. You could go for days.
Daniel R Diamond
Daniel R Diamond
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Thanks for the Mauna Kea tip Daniel, any trails you recommend in particular? I just ordered myself a copy of "Mountain Biking the Hawaiian Islands" to get prepped for our next trip. Part of the enjoyment I have for mountain biking is discovering new places and trails I've never been on, also a change of environment/climate, so I don't think disappointment is what I'll be feeling Arrow. I ride in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the summer and fall, so to come to Puna to mountain bike is different for sure, but I like different. It seems that even some of the trails I hiked out from Namakani Paio campground had decent cross country riding towards Mauna Kea. I look forward to new rides through the rain forest, and navigating through Ohia and Pahoehoe. Sounds like a good time to me!
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Paikikala Puna, to each his own. I just think that someone coming from a mountain bike bliss found in California to Puna is in for big disappointment (I certainly was). You strike me a someone who enjoys a good technical downhill and wouldn't be okay with the leisurely rides in Puna . Sometimes we get clouded in the excitement of a move and make assumptions, only to face reality when we get there. Look on the web and you'll see limited information about Mountain Biking in Puna or the Big Island for that matter. I haven't biked Mauna Kea (I have seen it and have been curious about it), but remember that this is a significant drive from Puna. I like biking, not driving. I have been accustomed to leaving my doorstep and starting the trail in minutes in California. As for Puna and Hilo there are basically four spots: Near the zoo - fair to poor, Beach Rd. in Puna - flat, no challenges, but nice views, near the university - tons of roots and obstacles, mostly flat, and Volcano. I've been told I'm “very wrong” on Volcano trails and I'm willing to try it again, but I did not see any good downhill trails when I was there.
