Cycling on Castaway

[fljelad]

Tell me about cycling on CC. Are the bicyles generic "no speed" bikes? Do all rentals come with helmets? Are there baskets on the bikes for gear (hats, waterbottles, sunscreen etc)? What about the riding surface. Are there designated paths? Are they paved?

We're thinking of renting bikes but DS is new at cycling and really needs a level surface...

 

[natdencro]

We have done the bike ride along the trail at CC several times, and really enjoyed it. However, as your little one is new to riding, they may find the surfaces a little uneven - especially after the stop at Serenity Bay - where the trail is just a stoney lane. There are helmets available, but not everyone takes advantage of these. There are several points along the way to have a drink of water: which is great, as it can get pretty warm on the ride.

Not sure if any bikes have a basket: we always carry a rucksack, in which we keep a towel/camera/etc. The bikes are fairly "old-fashioned" and not sure you could get up much of a "speed": we like to just 'pootle' along and take in the views.

We enjoy the ride, and you do work up a good appetite for the BBQ,but its not a particularly pretty ride and you may be best to opt for other activities that your child may enjoy more. Hope that helps. Have fun. Nat

 

[S'sMom]

Cycling was fun! It was also a very cheap way to see the island without doing all of the walking. We took our then 1 year old and she loved it!

We did take advantage of the helmets. The bikes are just basic 10 speeds, nothing fancy. But they got the job done "so to speak".

There is water along the awy and it very cold.

Hope this helps!

Tell me about cycling on CC. Are the bicyles generic "no speed" bikes? Do all rentals come with helmets? Are there baskets on the bikes for gear (hats, waterbottles, sunscreen etc)? What about the riding surface. Are there designated paths? Are they paved?

We're thinking of renting bikes but DS is new at cycling and really needs a level surface...

 

[fljelad]

This is sounding like a good option! How long for "a turn" around the island?

DS is going to turn 7 on the cruise and although he has had a bicycle since his 4th birthday, he's really more of a chess champion than an athlete so he has taken his time about mastering the "no training wheels" technique of riding. He is doing quite well and will be upgrading to a bigger bike this week so I think we'll be okay as far as he is concerned.

Oh, hey! Do they have tandems?

 

[Ratt45]

They say that your rental is for an hour. However, that has never been enforced the 3 times we have done it. We typically have the bikes back in an hour to an hour and a half anyway. As for tandem bikes, I'm not positive, but I believe they do have a few. I could be thinking of someone around here. Here's something I have done each time...Along the bike path near Serenity Bay (the adults-only beach), there's one spot in particular where you can frame the ship in a picture between two trees. I think it makes for a great pic!!!!

 

[natdencro]

No tandems that we have ever seen: however, they have various size bikes - suitable for all ages.

You dont actually cycle round the whole island: it's a designated route, past Serenity Bay and back (including the battered airstrip - which is quite pot-holed): takes approx an hour - if you stop to take a breather and dont cycle at the speed of sound! But hey, who wants to "speed" around Paradise?!Nat

 

[tvguy]

Cycling was fun! It was also a very cheap way to see the island without doing all of the walking. We took our then 1 year old and she loved it!

We did take advantage of the helmets. The bikes are just basic 10 speeds, nothing fancy. But they got the job done "so to speak".

There is water along the awy and it very cold.

Hope this helps!

Must have gotten new bikes since our 12-27-03 cruise. The bikes were all one speeds, the typical paperboy bike*, in various frame sizes on our cruise.
I highly recommend the bike ride.

*I may be showing my age here, since I haven't seen a paper boy in years. They're all adults now driving big vans.

 

[8 Ears]

I have been so busy had missed this very informative thread. Thanks for all the info. Will have to put it into my notebook as our next cruise at this time is not until 2006

 

[mom_rules]

Keep an eye for out of control tram drivers. (We had a lovely tram experience a few weeks ago-see trip report for details).