I’m going to to Poipu in a week for vacation and would like to do a couple of rides while I’m there. I’d like to rent a quality road bike for a couple of rides. All the bike shops that I have found online only rent cruisers. I was hoping not to have to transport my bike all the way there when it isn’t for a race. Anybody know of shop that offers demos or rentals between Lihue and Poipu?
Assuming that I can find a place to rent a bike where should I ride.
Thanks
I’ve been to Kauai many times and I recommend that you find somewhere to rent a mountain bike rather than a road bike. Frankly you’re taking your life in your own hands if you ride on many of the roads with car traffic. Better to go off road on a MB. Just my 2 cents.
I live on Kauai, and after 2 1/2 years here, one of the things I’ve learned about this place is that you can get everything you NEED here, but not everything you WANT.
Only bike shop in Lihue is Bicycle John’s. He doesn’t rent though.
Check here for road bikes in Poipu.
That’s probably about it for choices. Depending on how picky you are about what you ride, it may be worth it to you to bring yours along.
There are places to get some good miles in on a road bike if that’s your thing. You can loop from Poipu up to the highway (via Omao rd… avoid Koloa Rd) then over to tree tunnel rd and back down… or you can start in Hanapepe and go west until you get bored or run out of road. There’s a beachfront stretch in Kekaha with a nice view. Of course, the Koke’e road is there if you’re really looking for some pain, but I’d do that closer to sunset; traffic won’t be as bad.
Just use caution if you’re on a fairly well travelled road: local kine style is to pass on the shoulder if someone is stopped in the road waiting to turn left.
I found this place - haven’t tried them yet - hopefully next week when I am out there.
I know they have rides DOWN Waimea canyon…whats the ride UP like? I was thinking about doing that in a few weeks when I am there. Is it worth it?
I’ve heard that most people head down down toward Barking Sands in their car and ride down there because the traffic is less, the roads are less curvy, and it stays sunnier. Is that true?
I know they have rides DOWN Waimea canyon…whats the ride UP like? I was thinking about doing that in a few weeks when I am there. Is it worth it?
About 15 years ago I raced the Powerman series in Kauai. Raced from Poipou to Waimea, up Waimea Canyon Road then down Kokee rd and back. There are a few sections going up where most racers were zig zagging across the road or even walking. It’s pretty steep in spots but manageable. I’m guessing in the 15% range in a few sections.
Here’s an idea. This is not a top quality bike, but it more than does the trick. Go to K Mart or Walmart, get one of their mt. bikes, and a small adjustable wrench (you can’t bring/take the wrench on most airlines). The bike will be in the $70 -$100 range. The cost of the bike is much less than most bike rentals for a week (or , in many cases a day). From home I , bring a tire wrench, spare tire, helmet, AND A GOOD SEAT. I have done this many times on Kauai. There is no problem riding on the roads, I have gone all over the island. Many times you can ride somewhere much faster than in a car. Riding up the mountain is a great challenge. At the end of your trip, find a kid, a school, or someone and just give them the bike, no strings attached - you leave with a good feeling.
Absolutely… Of course, all my rides start from BS out of convenience. 
That was the “if you run out of road” part of the Hanapepe ride I talked about. You could adjust your start point to Kaumakani, Waimea, or Kekaha depending on how many miles you want to put in. Hanapepe to the Barking Sands Gate and back is 27 miles. The Mana plain is dead flat, and with Barking sands/Poli Hale (which is closed right now) being the end of the road, no one has a reason to come out here unless it’s to swing by the landfill or the base. Can be windy, but one man’s headwind is another’s tailwind, right?
As far as Kokee goes, I’ll let you decide, but the climb is roughly 3400’ in 10-12 miles. Coming down is a hoot!
www.kauaicycle.com I rented a road bike from them when i was there about 6 months ago. Roads are a little tight and people drive a little crazy there. It is doable, but just need to be careful. The climb over by the canyon is nice. a little more room on road and a lot of bikers. nice workout…
I rented an Allez from Kauai cycles. It was $30 a day. I rode from Waimea two days, one of which I rode to the look out over Waimea Canyon at 3400’. The other I road from Waimea out toward Barking Sands. Both were great rides and the traffic is not bad plus there is plenty of shoulder on the “highway”.