Around the Big Island of Hawaii

† 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 $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

Aloha!  Postpone winter with a vacation in Hawaii where we will cycle counterclockwise around the Big Island and up to the Kilauea Volcano.  We stay two nights in all but one hotel allowing time to participate in activities such as snorkeling with turtles and manta rays, swimming, kayaking, visiting coffee plantations, hiking the Volcanoes National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and strolling beautiful beaches.  The accommodations range from charming boutique hotels to larger resorts in Kailua-Kona, Keauhou Bay, Volcano Village, Hilo, Waimea and Hapuna Beach as we make our way around the island.  An authentic Hawaiian luau with a spectacular show with dinner is available at two resort locations.   This popular tour was last offered in January 2025.     

RIDE RATING

This tour is rated 2B!  There are six mandatory ride days with two ride days where the mileage and elevation exceed the 2B rating.  A passenger shuttle will be available to assist on those days.  Rolling hills and windy conditions could be prevalent on the Big Island and cyclists should be prepared.    Roads include state highways and county roads.   In some areas traffic may be heavy and without shoulders therefore cyclists should be comfortable riding in these conditions.  For participants wanting more challenging rides, options include a 4C ride to Waimea, a 4D ride to Volcano Village, and an optional 3C or 4D Pahoa route. 

WEATHER

The temperatures vary between 50 to 82 degrees with the cooler temperatures at higher elevations.  The amount of rain varies between 2 to 10 inches per month based on elevation, wind direction and the winter weather patterns.  The east side (Hilo area) of the island gets more rain therefore be prepared for varying weather conditions.

LODGING

Lodging will vary from small local hotels to larger resort/spa hotels (4 to 5-star accommodations).

LOGISTICS

We start and finish in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.  Our hotel is 8 miles from the airport.  City Bus (Heleon) Taxis, Speedy Shuttles and Uber offer service from the airport (KOA) to our hotel. Happy hour the first night at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha is 5:00 pm followed by a group dinner.  The ride leaders suggest Bike Works Kona for bike rentals and service.  https://www.bikeworkskona.com/.  To rent snorkeling gear for the trip we recommend Boss Frog's Snorkel Gear Rentals. https://bossfrog.com/all-rentals/. 

Bike boxes will be stored off-site in Kona during the tour.  A van will be available to transport luggage and supplies.  Participants are expected to complete the required rides as the van will not serve as a SAG vehicle.  However, the van will be available to assist with emergencies or to accommodate riders when possible.  During a portion of the tour a shuttle van will be available to transport riders on two longer and more difficult ride days.  Participants planning to use an e-bike or tandem should contact the Ride Leader.   These bikes are acceptable on the tour; however bike storage will be in the hotel rooms most nights which may provide some complications as some hotels do not have elevators and some e-bikes do not have batteries that detach. 

COST & ADMINISTRATION

The estimated cost for this tour is $4,460 plus the $85 BAC non-refundable registration fee.  Cost includes 12 nights accommodations, two group dinners, 8 breakfasts, 12 happy hours with snacks and beverages, RWGPS files, and luggage/shuttle transfer.   Not included are National Park passes, fees for activities, entrance fees to museums and hotel resort passes. The initial deposit is $2500 with the final payment of $1,960 due no later than July 1, 2026.  

HEALTH and SAFETY

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride.  Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed. in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. 
The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

SINGLES AND SOLOS POLICY

Singles and solos are a great addition to a tour and we welcome them.  We are able to accommodate 2 solos on this tour due to hotel capacity.  The solo supplement is $2783.91 which is due on July 1, 2026. We can accommodate a limited number of singles who will share a room with a roommate due to room accommodation limitations in some of the hotels. We recommend that singles find their own roommate prior to signing up.  Ride Leaders can introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour.  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 canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo 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 the 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.

INSURANCE

 BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered.   Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient.

SIGN-UP

To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the tour deposit within 7 days of signing-up plus the $85 non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. 
As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" name at the top of this Ride Description.