Joanna Wane shares her top tips for exploring Rarotonga on a round-island bike ride, with plenty of pit stops along the way. Pimp your ride Go clockwise – it’s a flat ride either way but the shoulder is better on the left-hand side. There are no cycle lanes so you’re sharing space with other traffic but locals don’t tailgate and give bikes a wide berth.
Tourists, however, are another matter. And watch out for dogs (and roosters!) wandering all over the road. It’s fully sealed but rough going in places where the surface is in need of repair, so jumbo tyres help smooth out shorter rides.
For the full 32km loop, I’d recommend hiring an e-bike (about $50 a day) or it can feel like a bit of a slog. Free resort bikes won’t necessarily have lights so consider bringing one with you from home. At night, the roads are extremely dark and if you’re planning a sunset cocktail (highly recommended), you need to plan ahead for a safe ride home.
Take plenty of water and a backpack for your togs..
