On this page we attempt to make available the experience of individual bicycle tourists who travel to Puerto Rico (you can share your experiences here).
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Puerto Rico
I often travel to and ride in Puerto Rico. As a matter of fact,my wife and I just arrived from there this morn. In the years that I have been traveling there and riding, I have come to know Paul and his son Omar at Hot Dog Cycles in Isla Verde. My wife and I visited his shop on Monday and had a great visit.
Not only does his shop offer rentals, but they sell and service to a number of high end bikes (Colnago, Orbea, Casati, Merlin, Moots, Dean) The rentals are respectable mountain bikes fine for cruising Ashford Ave, Old San Juan or, my favorite, Paseo Pinones.
PP is a broad paved path that wanders along the surf east of the the airport. Periodically, the path detours into the surrounding jungle on raised boardwalks tunnelling through the palms and the banyons forest before returning to the seaside. The entire ride from Isle Verde can be done on the rented C'dale in a couple or three hours. I would guess that it's about 22-25 miles.
Restaurants are plentiful on the west end and vendors are available at short intervals on the route. In my estimation PP represents the essence of Puerto Rico in that locals have unfettered access to the beach and the surf. Children, dogs, bladers and strollers share the route, but on a mountain bike, it's not a hinderence at all, and adds to the flavor of the ride.
For hammerheads, Paul and Omar can show you how to stay on the highway and blast out toward Loiza and back. You can also join the procession of Ashford Ave evening cruisers through Condado at dusk. It's their version of the Pacific Coast Highway and everyone is out to enjoy the cool evening breeze and to see and be seen. Between Condado and Old San Juan be sure to try El Hamburgeria, a locals and ex-pats favorite haunt for a real hamburger and beer.
There are other rides on the island and of course Old San Juan, but the narrow, worn, cobblestone streets, and interminable bumper to bumper traffic make it a very frustrating attempt at cycling. It's best done afoot with good shoes and a sufficient amount of time to enjoy it.
Paul can be contacted at Hot Dog Cycling, Ave. Isla Verde 5916 Local 3, Isla Verde, P.R. 00979 Isla Verde, Tel. 787 982 5344 or at www.hotdogcycling.com.
Enjoy the riding, the rum and the coffee.
Puerto Rico
Hi! We have been surfing the net and found your excellent site.
We have five localities in Puerto Rico where we are renting bikes on a half/full or weekly basis: San Juan, Culebra Island, Cabo Rojo, La Parguera, and Ponce. Also, we started offering bicycling tours in Puerto Rico where we provide a 2002 Cannondale Bike and helmet. If you need more information, do not hesitate contacting us at your convenience.
Hilda Morales, Owner
AdvenTours
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan. Very doable. You have to bike on the shoulder of a limited access highway, but it is legal. There is no place to lock up a bike at the airport, for say taking a day trip to the USVI, but for $5 you can check the bike for the day at the baggage storage place.
Don.
Blaine Bauer, September 17, 1999