Hawaii - Circumnavigate The Big Island - 2018

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
After watching the Hawaiian Ironman a number of times, I have always wanted to visit and ride around the Big Island of Hawaii.  This ride will allow us to see the volcanoes, watch lava flows (hopefully), visit the Puuhonau Honaunau National Historical Park, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and many more beautiful sites as we circumnavigate counter clockwise around the island.

RIDE RATING
This ride is rated as a 2B.  There are two days where the mileage and elevation exceed the rating  (they are indicated with a * below).  On these days, the van will provide support as needed for cyclists.  Roads will include state highways and county roads with limited shoulders and light to moderate traffic.  In Kona and Hilo, traffic may be heavier and cyclists should be comfortable riding with traffic.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (January 6th): Arrive in Kona.  Our hotel will be the Sheraton Kona Hotel.  Assemble bikes and enjoy being by the ocean.  Happy Hour is at 5:00pm.  A welcome dinner will follow. 

Day 2: Kona Off day - Local riding in the Kona area and visiting various historic areas. 

Day 3: (8 miles & 1,727’).  A short uphill ride from Kona to Captain Cook.  In Captain Cook we will visit the Kona Coffee Living History Farm.  Our lodging will be at the Mango Hotel for two nights.

Day 4: Captain Cook off day - A good option is to hike down to the Captain Cook Monument and spend the day snorkeling or kayaking.

* Day 5: Captain Cook to Neelehu (46 miles & 2,323’).  From Neelehu, we all will be shuttled to the Kilauea Lodge in Volcano, HI.  Our lodging for the next three nights is at the Kilauea Lodge

* Day 6: Neelehu to Volcano (38 miles & 4,148’).  There are two ride options today.  One is to take the shuttle back to Neelehu and ride to Volcano, or the other is to ride downhill towards Neelehu are far as you want and ride back to Volcano.

Day 7: Volcano off day – Today we visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 

Day 8:  Volcano to Hilo (28 miles) A downhill ride today to Hilo and the Hilo Hawaiian hotel.   Optional rides will take us to Kalapana and the Kaimu Beach Park.

Day 9: Hilo off day – A day to relax or rent a car and drive to the top of Mauna Loa volcano, which is one of five volcanoes on the island and is considered to be largest sub aerial volcano in mass and volume.  Mauna Loa has historically been considered the largest volcano on earth.

* Day 10: Hilo to Waimea (58 miles & 5,537’)  Today we ride along the coast before turning inland to Waimea and to the small Kamuela Inn.  Van support will be provided to assist cyclists as needed. 

Day 11: Waimea to Kapa’au (23 miles & 1,243’) or (36 miles & 2,480’).  The longer ride includes an out and back to the Pololu Valley lookout followed by a short hike on the Awini Trail to the beach.  Tonight’s lodging is the Hawaiian Island Retreat.  A number of us will have the opportunity to say we actually slept in a “Yurt”! 

Day 12: Kapa’au off day – Relax or go to the beach and snorkel.

Day 13: Kapa’au to Kamuela (24 miles & 1,304’) Today we follow part of the Hawaiian Ironman bike route.  It’ll be a leisure day for us, and we’ll take in Lapakahi State Park, Waikui and Hapuna Beach before stopping at the Hapuna Beach Prince House. 

Day 14: Kamuela to Kona (40 miles & 2,280’). We continue to follow the Ironman route back to Kona.  Stops are planned for the Kaloko – Honokohau National Historical Park before riding thru Kona to our hotel Sheraton Kona.  Happy hour followed by a Group dinner.

Day 15: (January 20) Departure day - tour ends after breakfast.

WEATHER
The temperatures vary between 50 - 82 degrees with the cooler temperatures at higher elevations.  The amount of rain varies between 2 – 10 inches per month based on elevation, wind direction and the winter weather patterns.

LODGING
Lodging will vary from plain hotels (2) to yurts to glamorous accommodations.

LOGISTICS:
We start and finish in Kona Hawaii.  Our hotel is 16 miles from the airport.  Taxis and Speedy Shuttles offer service from the airport to our hotel.  Bike boxes can be stored at the hotel, no charge.  The driver and/or the leader may be available to help shuttle riders from the airport to the hotel for those who arrive early.  Rental bikes may be available and the Ride Leader will offer suggestions.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost for this tour is $2,450 and does not include the BAC registration fee.  Cost includes all lunches**, two dinners, happy hours, lodging, support, cue sheets and gpx files, cycling maps and van support when necessary.
** Note: Although the food and supplies for lunches will be provided by the ride leader, all participants will be asked to assist with preparing the lunch buffet area, laying out the lunch supplies and clean-up.  This will be done on a rotational basis in teams of four.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome!  It is recommended that singles, who want a roommate, try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until June 1, 2017 with a full refund (minus the BAC fee) or pay the $1,400 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The ride leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online.  Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1,250 will be due.  The second payment of $1,200 is due June 1, 2017.  To contact the Ride Director, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.