Tree Planters Road

Chris' Ride to the top of Mauna Kea

University Trail System

For those of you who dont know, the University has a dedicated bike trail, where riders have the right of way. The trail was built and is maintained by Mike Tanabe.

Directions

• Go to the upper athletic parking lot next to the tennis courts off of E Kawili.
• Head up the hill next to the soccer field, and between the softball field and baseball field.
• Continue on until there is a steep grassy hill with a large 'V' made of painted rocks on the face of the hill.
• At the top of this hill overlooking the girls softball field, is the entrance to the trail

Note : This trail is built specifically as a training guide to prepare you for any kind of riding. It features some very technical sections that require extremely profient bike handling skills to navigate successfully. Beginner riders will have great difficulty on this trail when dry and even the most advanced riders will find certain sections difficult when wet. There are a few riders in the area that are able to ride the trail regardless of conditions, but only after countless hours of practice.

Dont let this keep you from trying it out. The trail is relatively short (1km) and offers some great descent. If you are a beginning rider, try it out on a sunny day after a bit of a dry spell and work on your technique. You will be amazed at how fast this trail will help you improve your technical bike handling skills.

Mana Road

The ride features fabulous scenery as well as possible rainbows viewed between the clouds, so bring a camera and prepare to stare in amazement at Hawai'i's beauty. The ride is often foggy so bring jackets and long riding pants to keep you drier and warmer if it rains. Allow at least 4-6 hours minimum for strong riders.

Directions:

From Waimea, head east towards Waipi'o on Mamalahoa Highway 19. Mana Road will be on your right across from the 55 mile marker.
Mana Road can also be accessed from the south-facing side of Mauna Kea. Head up the Saddle Road, turn up John A. Burns Way at the 28 mile marker. Road name signs may not be present. Continue up Mauna Kea for 2 miles and turn right onto the dirt road. This is the preferred entrance to Mana Road, if you plan on riding the entire distance. Have someone drop you off and pick you up later in Waimea at a specified time. The total ride distance is 43 miles one way.

Kalopa

Beautiful shady forest ride through the eucaliptis forest of Kalopa State Park. Be ready for log crossings, roots and loose sticks hidden in the grassy trails. The high elevation means coolor temperatures and a beautiful veiws of the ocean and the bordering gulch. The picnic grounds and cabins are a great place to spend a day or even a weekend with a permit.

Directions:

Head North up the Hamakua coast on Highway 19, Located halfway between Hilo and Waiamea,

Kulani Trail System

Show up for the Friday ride at 4:00 for a real singletrack treat. This six and a half mile trail features mostly singletrack connected by short dual track for easy passing. Many of the Friday riders have been competing weekly on this trail for well over ten years rain or shine.

If you dont know the trail you may easily get lost as the route may not be easily visible between trails. Knowing where to turn is a must or you may only get 4 or 5 miles of trail missing out on several wonderful sections. Come by the shop and hook up with a rider here to show you the way and you will be mashing fast cross country singletrack soon.

Directions:

Proceed out of Hilo on Route 11 toward Volcano. About 3 miles out of town Stainback highway will be on your right. Turn and continue past the zoo and about 2 miles up on you left will be a small road called Quarry Road.

Tree Planters Road

Tree Planters Road is a dual track connecting trail between Stainback Road and Saddle Road. If you are starting in Hilo by bike and want a five to seven hour epic ride this is the trail for you.

Proceed out of Hilo on Route 11 toward Volcano. About 3 miles out of town Stainback highway will be on your right. Turn at Stainback and ride up the hill past the zoo continuing for the next 13 miles. You will be passing small roads on the left and right named as letters of the alphabet, a, b, c etc... Treeplanters road is 'P.' and you will turn right onto it. Drop the pressure in your tires now to about 30 psi as the next ten miles is all off-road. After what seems like forever, climbing and descending and more climbing, you will see, off in the distance, the powerlines next to Saddle Road. From here, your journey is all downhill back to Hilo. You will come out above mile 16 on the Saddle.

For a really fast ride, have someone drop you off at the trailhead from the Saddle side and ride Tree Planters Road backwards. Since is primarily ascending the other direction you will be in for a quicker ride all the way back to Hilo. This should take under 3 hours to make it back to Route 11 and back into Hilo.