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Cycling in the
Dutch Antilles
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accomodation) |
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Cycling and Mountain Biking on Bonaire
Maps, trails and bike hire Touring Tips Cycling Events Choices Accommodation About Bonaire Bonaire together with Aruba and Curaçao, forms a group referred to as the ABC islands in the the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. Bonaire is the second-largest island in the Netherlands Antilles and is located 80km (50 miles) north of Venezuela and 48km (30 miles) east of Curaçao. The landscape is flat and rocky and, owing to low annual rainfall, Bonaire has a fairly barren desert climate. The island has small, beautiful beaches and safe waters. It is also south of the hurricane belt so generally tends to be safe .. although there have been rare exceptions in the past. See the Cycling Trails Map for a look at some of the routes and a brief description for each trail courtesy of www.infobonaire.com - more information are available about eco adventures and guided tours at Discover Bonaire. Further details about the respective trails are available at both the Discover Bonaire and Geographia websites. And for more photos of the landscape, check out the Bonaire Travel Guide for both panoramic views and photos of the hillier end of the island. Bikes can be rented in downtown Kralendijk and at some of the resorts. All bikes available through Discover Bonaire, are TREK Model 21 or 24 speed and maybe used both on and off road. Ideal for exploring the natural beauty of Bonaire that is "off the beaten track", all rentals include water bottles, lock, helmet, repair and first aid kits. Orientations to both trails and general routes are available. Bicycles are available in sizes 16", 18", 19.5", and 21" frames. Credit card deposit is required. Another tour operator if you are looking for a guide, is Bonaire Tours - please note, they advise that certain medical conditions are excluded e.g. pregnancy, all heart conditions, post operative recovery and asthma. They also hire bikes out as described above. Another company which only offers guided tours for a minimum of 2 people starting at $40 per person, is Outdoor Bonaire. NB: Please note however, that Dutch bikes available for rental from some hotels however, are more for on road touring and not suitable for off roading!!
Mountain biking and cycling have become a popular way to explore Bonaire, and 21-speed TREK or 21-speed Giant bikes, specially outfitted for off road exploring, are available for rental. Many of the local bike rental companies also conduct tours through the Kunuku (outback) following the hundreds of miles of paths (using orange painted stone markers) and also through Washington/Slagbaai National Park. Almost all of Bonaire's bicycling trails run along the coastline at some point and some of them lie only inches from it (after all, this is an island). Because of Bonaire's unique topography, cycling around the island is both interesting and invigorating. At first glance, the predominantly flat terrain lulls you into thinking there is no challenge, but the hilly northern region will tax even the strongest legs. There are over 300 kilometres of marked trails that crisscross the island, ranging from fast sandy runs to challenging hill climbs carved into the rock face. Many of the trails combine the rush of mountain biking with the pleasure of stopping off at an isolated cove or beach to relax or even enjoy a cooling swim before the next leg of your journey. Some pass through the village of Rincon, the oldest settlement on Bonaire. You also will have a chance to pass by Gotomeer, the landlocked salt lake, where you are bound to run into a few of Bonaire's famous pink flamingos. Miles of paved roads, all suitable for comfortable cycling, meander along the island's sparsely populated coast. To the south are Bonaire's stunning solar salt pans and salt mountains, historic slave huts, Pink Beach and Willemstoren Lighthouse. On the north road cyclists can find majestic ospreys, secluded coves perfect for snorkelling and picnicking, the ancient limestone bench marking the sea's level over 100,000 years ago, and historic Karpata, a restored plantation house. Bonaire's arid, semi-desert interior, with its unpaved roads, lends itself to adventuresome mountain bike touring. Off the beaten path are ranches and agricultural areas, unique bird subspecies like the endemic yellow-shouldered parrot and flamboyant pink flamingos, fascinating geological formations, and mysterious Caiquetio petroglyphs. Goats, wild donkeys, and the camouflaged iguana live among the prickly cacti and aloe along the way.
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Properly evaluate your skill and fitness levels before beginning
your tour © Photo courtesy of T Hibdige
Cycling Events Different routes, different distances, different thrills every day for as long as you stay. Shorter runs will have you back from town before noon if you stay at Lac Bay or in town if you choose to stay in Kralendijk. Stop by the market for fresh fruit and fish or have a nice lunch at your apartment/villa/hotel and then take a siesta (everyone else does from 12 noon to 2 p.m.). Upon waking, go for a swim or gear up for a dive. Some trails include lunch and plans for an afternoon of diving the wreck of the Hilma Hooker, or snorkelling at Pink Beach, the reef enclosing Lac Bay, windsurfing at Jibe City or kayaking the lagoon. Either way, at day's end, you'll have plenty of fish tales to swap over dinner.
So where do you stay??? Well how about Lac Bay Villa which sleeps 6-8 comfortably but could sleep 10. It is peacefully located on the still undeveloped windward side of the island and only yards from the neighbouring Kontiki Beach Club which manages the villa. Kontiki comprises of a fine restaurant and cocktail bar together with their spacious and colourful studios and apartments to suit all budgets. There is also the terrace with a refreshing breeze in an oasis of tranquillity and spectacular view of Lac Bay's lagoon .... it's wonderfully quiet there, very relaxing and plenty of wildlife. European mobile phones do work on Bonaire and Kontiki has free internet access for guests but no televisions so take a good book or three. Both Kontiki and Lac Bay Villa are just 15 minutes from Kralendijk (by car) with its restaurants, bars, shops and supermarkets which is the best mode of transport either for shopping or at night. Cycling into town is approximately 6.75mi or 11.5kms each way, depending on which part of town you are going to along the main road. That in turn means tracking around the west end of the airport and Kralendijk’s port which if there is a cruise ship in, means possible road closures. There is a back road which is fractionally shorter (about 9km or 5.6mi) and forms part of the Southern Loop but be warned, in the heat of the day whichever road you take and with the wind against you, be sure you have everything you need in terms of a high factor sunscreen and something to protect your head/neck from the sun plus plenty of water - it really doesn't take much to get sunburnt, become dehydrated or worst, be laid up with sunstroke if you are really careless. The prevailing wind generally speaking tends to be from the east - Lac Bay is a windsurfer's paradise for a reason although recently the west coast will take a bit of a battering in a tropical storm.
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