You can try Arawak Expeditions (340) 693-8312 Be careful!

ThanksYou
Are cyclists to be more careful of their own actions/the actions of motorists etc. (I know that the taxis rule the road) or both?
Do you see bikes on the road much?

In my experience only serious bikers ride on STJ. Lots of steep switchbacks and if it rains the roads get really slick. It's 50/50 between the roads and other drivers.

The only time I see anyone ride a bicycle on STJ is very early in the morning - usually around 6:30am - 8:30am and usually on Sunday mornings or, if during the week, not on the "main" road only on the Maho loop and I say they are all serious riders (tri-athlete/fitness instructor "types") not the casual riders. I don't even recommend a motor scooter rental never mind a bicycle and there are no bicycle rental stores only Arawak and I believe you have to tour with them (but I could be wrong on that - Julie do you know?)

Pia

Yes, you must be careful! Our roads aren't the greatest and they are full of potholes, narrow, and lots of blind corners. Maho area has less traffic, and is safer then Centerline. You don't see many bicycle riders here. Arawak doesn't advertise bike rental, only bike tours, but they may rent you one. They are the only people on island that even advertise such a thing. I'd offer to let you use my husbands bike if you hadn't said you wanted a "decent" one 😀

Thanks for the great information and insight.
The Maho loop on early morning would be my course. I am very experienced and have ridden much steep and slippery. Have driven and hiked St John so yes I know what I'm gettin into. I'll check with Arawak and Julie if your husbands bike has good brakes and many gears I would be happy to toss him a few bucks for the use of it for a morning.

Rob

Hi Rob, a belated post to this thread... hope you're still following it via email. Did you rent a bike and if so, how did it work out (both the rental and the riding)? My fiancee and I are planning to be on St. John in a month and are looking into bikes as a way to get around. We've likewise been warned about the roads, traffic, and hills, but we're both very fit, experienced cyclists.

Thanks
Ken

fishyken wrote:
Hi Rob, a belated post to this thread... hope you're still following it via email. Did you rent a bike and if so, how did it work out (both the rental and the riding)? My fiancee and I are planning to be on St. John in a month and are looking into bikes as a way to get around. We've likewise been warned about the roads, traffic, and hills, but we're both very fit, experienced cyclists.

Thanks
Ken

A bike is not an acceptable mode of getting around on STJ. It doesn't matter how fit you are, you have never experience roads like this.
Roads have no shoulder, blind curves, and hills that are hard to drive. People are not used to seeing a bike on the road, so car and truck traffic can be deadly when they are not expecting a bike on the side of the road after a switchback. There is a reason that there are no true bike rental companies
Here are some great videos to give you an idea of what it is like to drive on STJ.
http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/10/26/jeep-cam-north-shore-road-part-1/
http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/12/03/jeep-cam-north-shore-road-part-4/
http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/10/19/jeep-cam-jacob%e2%80%99s-ladder/