Sometimes it’s good when a tour hits a decline. That’s how I felt during Bike Hawaii’s Downhill Bike Adventure, as a group of us explored Honolulu’s glorious highlands on two wheels without breaking a sweat.
Bike Hawaii president John Alford says the downhill tour was created for Oahu visitors seeking an effortless outdoor excursion.
Families are well-suited for the Downhill Bike Adventure, which offers trailers and child-size bikes for the kids.
Credit: 2019 Bike Hawaii
“The best way to be semi-active on vacation is on a bike,” Alford said. “This is a fun tour for families, couples and seniors because of its ease.”
After a few Waikiki hotel pickups in an air-conditioned van, our guide, Eland, drove us 15 minutes to Tantalus — an extinct cinder cone — and maneuvered up its narrow, twisting byway. We stopped at a 1,000-foot-high park for the provided picnic lunch, which was outdone only by the panoramas of Oahu’s southern shores.
Then, at the road’s 1,500-foot crest, Eland outfitted us with cruiser bikes, which were a breeze to ride since they have no gears. Following a safety briefing, we rolled merrily away and let gravity take over. The two-lane route is known for its hairpin turns, so our hands got all the exercise, regularly squeezing the brakes to maintain a moderate speed.
Throughout the 5-mile, 45-minute ride down Tantalus, we took two breaks for photo ops, including pulling over for dramatic Diamond Head views. From the intoxicating aroma of eucalyptus to the whisper of the wind, the tour immersed us in Oahu’s natural world — the easy way.
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Bike Hawaii
www.bikehawaii.com