biking in Hilton Head

[jme]

Concerning strictly the riding of bikes on the Sea Pines trails, there's ultimately not much difference whether you stay
in Sea Pines or at Grande Ocean (the only place you get the FREE passes)
or if you stay elsewhere, anywhere, such as Barony, SurfWatch, Disney, etc, because you can always pay the daily $8 Sea Pines vehicle admittance fee, rent bikes at any of several places within Sea Pines and use them whenever you like. The fee is an aggravation for sure, but the trails are worth it. For 7 days that's an additional $56, but in the long run not too bad for such a wonderful family experience. The bike rental fees are very reasonable, probably cheaper than at Grande Ocean, but I'm not sure.

Our two favorite places within Sea Pines (before we owned GO) were near the golf course at Plantation Club (find green/white awning on right of road, after turning right onto Lighthouse Rd./ about 300 yards past Marriott Monarch) or at a small bike rental shop in the large shopping plaza (same plaza as where Truffles restaurant is located, ie, across from Swallowtail Resort).
You can ride the trails as much as you want, and lock them up most anywhere....such as at the Sea Pines Beach Club Clubhouse, at Harbour Town, at the SP Shopping Plaza itself, or at any resort's randomly-placed bike stands. Enjoy.

 

[Steve A]

Staying at the Barony turn right on 278 and then make a right on Union Cemetary Rd. It will take you towards Mitchelville and lots of interesting sites/sights: Mitchelville Freedom Park, with it’s replicated slave quarters and beautiful views of the salt marshes and Port Royal Sound; and, then head over to Fort Howell. Get specific biking directions. Almost no traffic on the bike paths and very few cars on Union Cemetery and other roads.

These are great easy rides especially for those interested in Civil War and African American history.

Even though the town is adding new bike paths on 278 as you go east generally beginning west of Shelter Cove it is still a difficult ride because of the noise from the cars and how close you are to them in some places. You’ll be riding against the wind in part of your ride. The wind can also be an issue on beach rides.

Freedmen’s Town of Mitchelville | Gullah of Hilton Head Island SC

Learn about Mitchelville—the first self-governed Freedmen’s Town in America. Explore its story of freedom at the Mitchelville Freedom Park.

www.hiltonheadisland.org

Fort Howell - HiltonHead-SC.com

www.hiltonhead-sc.com

Union Cemetary deadends into Dillon Rd. Make a right.

 

[Bill4728]

Baroney rents the beach cruisers for $15/day but $35/week ( or $25/ 3 days) so we rented from the resort.

 

[MOXJO7282]

There are not many things I enjoy more than a bike ride through Sea Pines. Especially in the off-season when the crowds are less and you can enjoy the ride leisurely.

 

[jmhpsu93]

We're going to be spending some time in Hilton Head this coming fall and winter. I'm a really active cyclist (I race occasionally) and was wondering if there are paths conducive to riding hard on a racing or triathlon-type bike (think ~ 20 MPH on thin tires). I try really hard not to ride on roads anymore - too dangerous.

That's not to say I don't enjoy the occasional beach cruiser, but I need to do a little off-season training.

 

[MOXJO7282]

We're going to be spending some time in Hilton Head this coming fall and winter. I'm a really active cyclist (I race occasionally) and was wondering if there are paths conducive to riding hard on a racing or triathlon-type bike (think ~ 20 MPH on thin tires). I try really hard not to ride on roads anymore - too dangerous.

That's not to say I don't enjoy the occasional beach cruiser, but I need to do a little off-season training.

during the off-season there is a lot less traffic so you can definitely pick up the pace but still not an area where you can race, for your safety or others.

 

[jmhpsu93]

during the off-season there is a lot less traffic so you can definitely pick up the pace but still not an area where you can race, for your safety or others.

Understood - I do a bunch of riding on a local MUP here in Maryland and make sure I take care of my fellow riders/runners/walkers, not wanting to perpetuate the jackass cyclist narrative.

 

[jme]

during the off-season there is a lot less traffic so you can definitely pick up the pace but still not an area where you can race, for your safety or others.

I agree with MOXJO....the paths around Hilton Head, especially the ones inside Sea Pines, are not conducive to training for your purposes.
They are more geared toward recreation and leisure.
They are quite winding, with large trees many times within a foot or two from the path edges. Not to mention the people
who inhabit the trails---many couples, individuals, or whole families out biking, sometimes with little ones contained within
the small kid attachments.
And often people are simply walking along the trails too....oblivious to the bikers passing by on either side.
People out walking pets are also there.
The longer, straighter trails alongside the major roads like Hwy 278 coming onto the island
(and sufficing as the main drag from one end to the other), are similarly filled with walkers, families out biking,
and someone like you trying to sustain straight lines and "pace" would probably be pretty dangerous.

I do have two suggestions:
(1) Research & Inquire about Pinckney Island, a more remote destination just off the main highway leading into
Hilton Head proper (just off to the left side before crossing over the main bridge onto HH Island), which is a popular area
for environmental tours, and the trails there are obviously less populated, longer and straighter, and might satisfy
your requirements much better.
Here is a site map for Pinckney Island Trails:

https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/PinckneyMap2014(1).pdf

(2) Also try contacting this company for info regarding what you want to do (which is affiliated with training and local cycling events):

Triathlon | GO TRI SPORTS

Go Tri Sports specializes in triathlon with bikes and accessories for the triathlete. Located on Hilton Head Island.

www.gotrisports.com

Here are route maps for 2 different Loops which are referred to by this company:
http://www.gotrisports.com/bike-routes/

Good luck

 

[jmhpsu93]

Thanks for the links - exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[ml855]

We just booked a week at MGO for end of July, we are planning on bring our own bikes for riding on the Sea Pine trails. Can I request the bike passes before arriving at the resort or do they give them at check-in, etc? Are the passes daily passes that I have to pick up each day or do they also have weekly passes?

Thanks.

 

[Dean]

We just booked a week at MGO for end of July, we are planning on bring our own bikes for riding on the Sea Pine trails. Can I request the bike passes before arriving at the resort or do they give them at check-in, etc? Are the passes daily passes that I have to pick up each day or do they also have weekly passes?

Thanks.

Unless something has changed the answer is neither. They are given out first come/first serve at the bike rental. In our experience they are hit or miss in giving them to those not renting from them and even when they do, they tend to run out fairly quickly for the week. We're there a few weeks ahead of you so I can check with them if you need me to. We don't ride bikes anymore but some in our group did rent last year so I'll reach out to them to see if they have any additional info.

 

[jme]

Dean is correct...
FYI, Grande Ocean's Front Desk is (843) 686-7343 for any questions you ever have
about random things at the resort, but I already knew the answer as it applied
to previous years we've been there, but just to be sure, I called to confirm
that the current policy has not changed (and it hasn't).

The bike rental guy on property (in Sea Horse Building) will give you a personal bike pass
for Sea Pines when you run by there to ask. As Dean highly recommends, and I concur,
walk over and get one immediately upon arrival for the duration of your stay.

You don't have to rent bikes from GO to get it.
As you may already know, at check-in you automatically receive a Sea Pines Pass
for your vehicle (and 2 passes if you have 2 vehicles).
The Sea Pines trails are some of the best anywhere. Enjoy!

 

[Dean]

Dean is correct...
FYI, Grande Ocean's Front Desk is (843) 686-7343 for any questions you ever have
about random things at the resort, but I already knew the answer as it applied
to previous years we've been there, but just to be sure, I called to confirm
that the current policy has not changed (and it hasn't).

The bike rental guy on property (in Sea Horse Building) will give you a personal bike pass
for Sea Pines when you run by there to ask. As Dean highly recommends, and I concur,
walk over and get one immediately upon arrival for the duration of your stay.

You don't have to rent bikes from GO to get it.
As you may already know, at check-in you automatically receive a Sea Pines Pass
for your vehicle (and 2 passes if you have 2 vehicles).
The Sea Pines trails are some of the best anywhere. Enjoy!

Let me add that you need a separate sea pines bike pass, the one for the car won’t work for the bikes.

 

[SueDonJ]

I know what the rules say but every time I ask Don if he's paid for a bike pass to get into Sea Pines he looks at me like I have two heads, says "no," and tells me to stop asking him! I don't do the long bike rides that he's always done (from Barony or SurfWatch in our early years and now from our home in Leamington) but he swears that he's never been asked to pay.

Last time I was there, this past January, we went through the guard hut access in the car with both bikes on the rack and were only charged a fee for the car. We'd taken the bikes out earlier that day and on the spur of the moment jumped in the car to try to chase an owl sighting (my idea, Don's a good sport, and no we never saw it.) It was late afternoon less than an hour to sunset so maybe the guard figured we wouldn't be bike riding?

Staying at the Barony turn right on 278 and then make a right on Union Cemetary Rd. It will take you towards Mitchelville and lots of interesting sites/sights: Mitchelville Freedom Park, with it’s replicated slave quarters and beautiful views of the salt marshes and Port Royal Sound; and, then head over to Fort Howell. Get specific biking directions. Almost no traffic on the bike paths and very few cars on Union Cemetery and other roads.

These are great easy rides especially for those interested in Civil War and African American history.

Even though the town is adding new bike paths on 278 as you go east generally beginning west of Shelter Cove it is still a difficult ride because of the noise from the cars and how close you are to them in some places. You’ll be riding against the wind in part of your ride. The wind can also be an issue on beach rides.

Freedmen’s Town of Mitchelville | Gullah of Hilton Head Island SC

Learn about Mitchelville—the first self-governed Freedmen’s Town in America. Explore its story of freedom at the Mitchelville Freedom Park.

www.hiltonheadisland.org

Fort Howell - HiltonHead-SC.com

www.hiltonhead-sc.com

Union Cemetary deadends into Dillon Rd. Make a right.

Steve, thanks for this. I think we started out that way once but never made it to Fort Howell - next time!

 

[Dean]

I know what the rules say but every time I ask Don if he's paid for a bike pass to get into Sea Pines he looks at me like I have two heads, says "no," and tells me to stop asking him! I don't do the long bike rides that he's always done (from Barony or SurfWatch in our early years and now from our home in Leamington) but he swears that he's never been asked to pay.

Last time I was there, this past January, we went through the guard hut access in the car with both bikes on the rack and were only charged a fee for the car. We'd taken the bikes out earlier that day and on the spur of the moment jumped in the car to try to chase an owl sighting (my idea, Don's a good sport, and no we never saw it.) It was late afternoon less than an hour to sunset so maybe the guard figured we wouldn't be bike riding?

A bike pass is not applicable when taking them in by car. I now our crew has been refused been entry even with a car pass and I am not aware of any of our group over the years that as able to bypass the bike pass but some have ridden more than I have so I'll have to ask around. I do know some violate the pass restrictions by bypassing the guard gate.

 

[jme]

Bikes on the back of a vehicle (therefore the vehicle itself, even with a valid "vehicle pass") are usually not allowed entry to Sea Pines
unless they are staying in SP.
Simple reason is that SP does not want the trails to be crowded with outsiders, increasing the chances of incidents and accidents.

 

[Dean]

Bikes on the back of a vehicle (therefore the vehicle itself, even with a valid "vehicle pass") are usually not allowed entry to Sea Pines
unless they are staying in SP.
Simple reason is that SP does not want the trails to be crowded with outsiders, increasing the chances of incidents and accidents.

Marty, is that the official policy. I do have experience in this area and it's never been an issue with maybe 5-6 times for our group and a dozen or more sightings of others. We've never even been questioned about it and I've never noticed anyone turning around at the guard gate in this situation. Thanks for your information and insight.

 

[Fasttr]

Marty, is that the official policy. I do have experience in this area and it's never been an issue with maybe 5-6 times for our group and a dozen or more sightings of others. We've never even been questioned about it and I've never noticed anyone turning around at the guard gate in this situation. Thanks for your information and insight.

Bike on a car $1 https://www.seapinesliving.com/visitors/visitor-passes/

 

[jme]

Marty, is that the official policy. I do have experience in this area and it's never been an issue with maybe 5-6 times for our group and a dozen or more sightings of others. We've never even been questioned about it and I've never noticed anyone turning around at the guard gate in this situation. Thanks for your information and insight.

Bike on a car $1 https://www.seapinesliving.com/visitors/visitor-passes/

If they're allowing outside bikes for $1 that's awesome....last time we checked on it, probably 2 years ago
(since we always rent Grande Ocean bikes) they were not allowed in at all unless you stayed there.
Well good, I'm delighted. Great to know.

 

[Dean]

Bike on a car $1 https://www.seapinesliving.com/visitors/visitor-passes/

Thanks for the information.

 

[captbob]

On our last trip to Hilton Head I took my on bike. I was interested in riding all the trails that are around the Sea Pines Area. This proved to be very frustrating. There are blind driveways all along those paths and cars will pull out directly in front on you and may or may not stop. I found I could ride no more than half a block without stopping for traffic. I did manage to make it to the lighthouse but on the way home I ditched the paths for the road which put me at least going with traffic. Add in the hundreds of families, parents and children, walking and on bikes on the trails and it was a mess. I will never do that again.

On another trip we rented bikes from Marriott for use on the beach and stayed on the beach, much less stressful. My opinion is stay on the beach.

 

[Ricci]

We bike A LOT on HHI ....we are there every spring for 3 weeks, putting 200 - 300 miles on our bikes every time. Sea Pines is indeed the best place to bike with trails everywhere. We used to go in the summertime, but the trails are crowded and you have to constantly be looking out for other peoples' children....they never seem to be watching where they are going.
We have biked all over the island, I can't think of a trail we haven't been on. LOVE IT.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Just a follow up on road bike riding. We spent the last week at SurfWatch and I brought my road bike and went for about a 30-mile ride on Saturday, using Steve's suggestion about Union Cemetery / Dillon (rode on the actual roads there and was just fine), the bike path down 278 getting as far as the circle (that was just crazy...fellow bikers and walkers were fine, just the cars pulling out of driveways oblivious to surroundings was really dangerous). I then went down Marshland Road, both trying the path (too many back-and-forth crossovers) and the road itself (great - I could hold pace for a few miles). With the stop and go I just call it interval training.

 

[Swice]

At Grande Ocean now.
Bike Rental is:
1 day / $10
3 day/ $20
week/ $30

Just added a new option-- electric assist bikes. Rental for one day is $30.

We stopped bringing our personal bikes here several years ago. The sand and grit would get in the wheels and gears. You have to be careful to rinse them off immediately after a bike ride especially if you rode on the beach and touched the salt water. Rust from the moisture is also a problem. It's just easier to rent here.

 

[Steve A]

Just back from a 17.5 mile ride. I was off for two months because of a non-bike injury and I’m having a hard time getting my distance back. Some families out on the Dillon/Union Cemetery paths but pretty easy. I do not ride down to the circle this time of year. Too dangerous. Also when you are driving and exiting over a driveway that crosses a bike path on 278, LOOK BOTH WAYS, for pedestrians and for cyclists not just for oncoming cars.

if you want a really cool HHI bicycle jersey see this http://www.gotrisports.com/cycle-jersey-bike-hilton-head-green/
The design is great but the zipper is flimsy.