I look at it and see an uneven trail filled with rocks and overgrown weeds. But, my best friend, a die-hard mountain biker, sees it as paradise. We are at the Sheraton Molokai Lodge & Beach Village in Hawaii. Located on 54,000-acre Molokai Ranch, this haven for mountain bikers, boasts 125 miles of single-track trails that runs from sea level to 1,600-foot-high sea cliffs. It is not for the faint of heart, and really, I don’t know how she was able to talk me into coming.
I started at the hotel’s Skills Corral. It is a 100-by-75-foot enclosure filled with thick logs, ascending and descending ramps, narrow boardwalks and boulders so big, they would be better used as damming material than bike obstacles. In one corner of the Skills Corral sits the Bike Trap, a large rectangular box divided into smaller sections by planks rising up to 6 inches in height. I am told that experienced cyclists ride right over those planks. When offered, I just smile and politely shake my head.
The Skills Corral is designed to help riders improve their balance, get used to the bike’s brakes and gears, and learn obstacle negotiation. It also prepares them for challenges they may encounter on the trails. You are asked to survey your biking skills and then decide which trail you would like to tackle. Your trail options range from 1 to 30 miles in length, and as the posted signs read: “from mild to wild in difficulty.” “Easy Street” is just that — a gradual 3.5-mile downhill ride along an old pineapple plantation road. The toughest trail, reserved only for experienced cyclists, is the 4-mile “Blood Drive,” so called because if you don’t properly negotiate its drops, climbs, large rocks, ruts, trees and gullies you may end up…well, you get the picture.
I opt for a ride down “Easy Street” and am treated to spectacular scenery. On a clear day you can see breathtaking views of Oahu to the west and the islands of Maui and Lanai to the south. What’s more, because the Sheraton’s Molokai’s network of trails is so expansive; the likelihood that you will see other bikers out exploring is slim.
If you are a bike enthusiast and are up for a day long guided adventure, then sign up for the Naiwa Sea Cliff Ride. It includes a lunch break atop magnificent cliffs overlooking the ocean and the historic leper settlement of Kalaupapa. For more information on price, availability, the trails and the Skills Corral visit www.molokairanch.com.