Letters to the Editor

A local’s view of bicycling tours

Regarding Chris Reynolds’ “It’s Downhill From Here” [Nov. 7]: I know of no one who lives upcountry (or on Maui for that matter) who looks favorably on downhill bicycle tours. We may not complain, but we see it as a few local companies who are making a living off taxpayers by turning our beautiful island into a Disneyland to benefit a handful of tourists.

Thank you for mentioning that this ride can hurt you or even kill you. It’s very dangerous — period. Wet road conditions and those who shouldn’t be on a bike on a volcano road in the first place create ideal conditions for a probable accident.

Unfortunately, because of Reynolds’ article, more visitors are likely to sign up for these tours. If they only knew how we locals look at them as they come through Paia, they would be embarrassed. We see them as foolish tourists who care nothing about our land or culture.

Brad Forsythe, Peahi, Hawaii

Cheap eats in San Francisco

Thank you for the interesting tips on eating inexpensively in San Francisco; I will be carrying the pages with me on our next trip there [“Bargains by the Bay,” by Rosemary McClure, Oct. 31]. I found it funny, though, how she kept complaining about the difficult parking. Then it came to me: She did it to get people off the idea of driving! It might have served the purpose even better had she included with each place the information how to get there by public transport, similar to what’s done in Paris guidebooks.

Stefan Belger, Palm Springs

La-di-da hotel, la-di-da prices

Regarding “Hotel to Reopen” by Valli Herman [Need to Know, Oct. 31]: The next time my friends Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates come to town, and I’m unable to accommodate them at my home, I will certainly recommend the Hotel Bel-Air. I know that most readers of the Travel section (like myself) will definitely book that little weekend getaway when we feel like dropping from $565 to $10,000 a night for a room.

Mark Thompson, Simi Valley

Sizing up the carry-on problem

Regarding “A Fitting Question” [On the Spot, Oct. 31] by Catharine Hamm: As for making the Transportation Security Administration responsible for vetting the size of carry-on or checked luggage, spokesman Nico Melendez said, “Our charge from Congress is to provide for security of aircraft, not for the size of carry-on or checked luggage.” What I wish he would have said is, “Our charge from Congress is to provide for security of aircraft, not run an express line for first-class passengers.”

Steve Abney, Eldridge, Iowa