Avoid the dreary days of November with a tour of the Big Island of Hawaii, a tropical paradise with sun, swimming, and excellent bike riding. Experience sand beaches, semi-cooled lava flows, snow-covered mountains, forests encased in hardened stone, and lush valleys with countless waterfalls. There are small working villages that time has passed by, the state’s most tropical city, and an entire arid coast stretching over 150 km.

This 15 day/14 night tour starts and ends in Kona, completing a loop of the Big Island. There will be 5 non-move days providing opportunities for cycling, swimming, hiking, shopping, visiting museums, etc. This tour is based upon the CCCTS 2015 Tour of the Big Island.

Lodging will be in two and three star hotels and/or B&Bs, based upon two persons sharing a double or twin room. Please note that, depending upon lodging availability, there is the possibility of having two couples share a room (2 queen beds) for two nights. Due to the remote location in Volcano lodging may be at  separate B&Bs. Rooms  at all locations will not have kitchenette facilities, and meals will be obtained at restaurants.

The tour will be supported with a rental van to transport luggage. An incentive ($600 US deduction in fee) will be offered to a person who will drive the van every travel day, allowing all other participants to cycle the whole distance. It is expected that everyone except the driver will cycle unless ill or with a broken bicycle.

The tour follows the island perimeter highway which is paved, most of which includes paved shoulders and gradients of less than 8% (note: there is one short section on day 3 with gradients of 10%). The total distance covered will be 415 km, with an average daily distance of 50 km. (minimum 20 km; maximum 85 km). Daily elevation gains average around 600 m but there are two days with approx. 1200 m gains. Strong winds and some steep climbs can be expected in some areas.

• 14 nights lodging based on double occupancy
• first and last night group dinners
• support vehicle rental fee plus ancillary costs
• tour leaders fee in accordance with CCCTS policy
• a contingency allowance of 15%,
• the fee is based on the minimum number of participants
• any surplus funds remaining after the tour are refunded to the participants

• Meals, except those stated above
• transportation costs to and from Hawaii, or to and from the airport to Kona
• bike rentals. Contact bikeworkskona.com. or other rental companies in Kona.

• Day 1, November 13; arrival in Kona. 
• Day 2, November14; non-move day. Bike assembly and testing. Swimming available at Turtle Beach. Group welcome dinner.
• Day 3, November 15; cycle from Kona to Captain Cook (20 km/515 m). Afternoon hike from the hotel to Captain Cook Monument. Swimming at the Monument.
• Day 4, November 16; non-move day. Optional cycle to the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
• Day 5, November 17; cycle from Captain Cook to Naalehu (74/687 m).
• Day 6, November 18; cycle from Naalehu to Volcano (64 km/1272 m).
• Day 7, November 19; non-move day. Optional cycle tour of Kilauea caldera Museum, Visitor Center, Volcano House, Thurston lava tube, Kilauea Iki Crater.
• Day 8, November 20; cycle from Volcano to Hilo (44 km/18 m)This is the tropical city of Hawaii. Tsunami Memorial Park and Museum, Lyman Museum, shopping in old town, pool swimming.
• Day 9, November 21; non-move day. Optional early morning cycle to Rainbow Falls and Imiloa Astronomy Centre.
• Day 10, November 22; cycle from Hilo to Honoka (69 km/1099 m). Hotel Honoka’a Club, Laupahoehoe Train Museum, Laupahoehoe Point Co. Park, and Tsunami Memorial.
• Day 11, November 23; non-move day. Hang out in Honoka’a town or cycle to Waipio Valley overlook (30 km round trip).
• Day 12, November 24; cycle from Honoka’a to Waimea (27 km/596 m). See if you can spot a Paniolo (modern day Hawaiian Cowboy) working at the 150,000 acre Parker Ranch.
• Day 13, November 25; cycle from Waimea to Hawi (34 km/377 m). Side trip to Polou Valley lookout. Steep switchbacks to the beach.
• Day 14, November 26; cycle from Hawi to Kona (85 km/672 m) Farewell group dinner.
• Day 15, November 27; Tour ends after breakfast.

The registration process will follow the recently amended CCCTS system.
Registration will take place on the CCCTS website (not Karelo) at the date and time noted above, with a $50 deposit.  A computer-generated lottery system will be used to assist in the selection of riders in the event that the ride is oversubscribed, (not the time based previous system).  The lottery signup will run for 3 days, after which time a waitlist is automatically generated and the leader will review the results.

The fitness and riding experience of registrants will be considered in terms of suitability for the tour, and the leader may elect to contact registrants or others who know them to verify their suitability. The leader will contact those who have been selected and direct them to make the balance of the payment on the website within approximately 1 week from the close of the lottery.

If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will still be allowed up until the registration close date shown above.  Deposits are non-refundable unless the registrant is not selected for the tour or wishes to be removed from waitlist. Payments are non-refundable unless replacement person(s) are found.

Payment Schedule:   Deposit $50 on registration, March 5-8, 2018      First Instalment: $800, March 17, 2018      Second Instalment: $800, Sept. 1, 2018