Best Sunrise Bike Tour at Haleakala
Jun 3rd, 2012, 04:41 PM
#2
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Maybe research the accident rate before you do this?
http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mauilan..._tours_07a.htm
I have a friend who is a very competent cyclist all over the mountains of Colorado; the fall into sharp basalt due to someone ahead of her in the pack ruined her vacation and left a horrible scar.
http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mauilan..._tours_07a.htm
I have a friend who is a very competent cyclist all over the mountains of Colorado; the fall into sharp basalt due to someone ahead of her in the pack ruined her vacation and left a horrible scar.
Jun 4th, 2012, 10:04 AM
#3
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I'm also interested in downhill bike tours...but the link you provided is to stats from 2007. I'm wondering where someone might find current stats, as a google search yielded results from 2007/2008.
Jun 4th, 2012, 02:52 PM
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Sunrise Bike Ride on Haleakala - we used Haleakala Bike Co. because they let you go at your own pace and you can stop when and where you want. For an additional $16 they will pick you up (and drop you off) at your hotel - which was great at 2:15 AM! You go to their shop and get outfitted. They take you to the summit for the sunrise, then back down to 6500 ft to begin your ride. I'll admit that I was the hesitant rider in our group and went pretty slow. The other companies were whizzing right by us and I would have been very uncomfortable if I had to go that fast. The ride is 22 miles. We stopped for breakfast at Hula Lodge - beautiful setting and delicious food. We arrived back at the bike co store at 10:15 AM. I will probably never do this again but I'm so happy that I made myself do it. It's quite an experience
Jun 6th, 2012, 07:01 AM
#6
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"A Canadian tourist on the island of Maui lost control of his rented bicycle before he was struck and killed by an SUV while descending a mountain, police said."
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/...-bicycle-crash
That's 6 months ago; how recent do deaths and accidents have to be?
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/...-bicycle-crash
That's 6 months ago; how recent do deaths and accidents have to be?
Jun 6th, 2012, 09:58 AM
#7
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I was looking for recent overall safety rating and statistics since the link you posted was from 2007...5 years ago, there was clearly a pretty big issue with safety and many of the tours were suspended. Now that they are back in business, I'm interested in how the overall safety records appear these days in comparison to 2007.
Accidents occur *all the time* for basically any activity. A few here and there, IMO, are fully expected. The accident from 6 months ago is tragic, for sure - but it sounds like he was going too fast and crossed the center line. This does not mean that the tours themselves are inherently unsafe - it means that one must take extreme caution when participating in them.
Accidents occur *all the time* for basically any activity. A few here and there, IMO, are fully expected. The accident from 6 months ago is tragic, for sure - but it sounds like he was going too fast and crossed the center line. This does not mean that the tours themselves are inherently unsafe - it means that one must take extreme caution when participating in them.
Jun 6th, 2012, 10:20 AM
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You think they've changed the traffic patterns (they haven't) or invented new bikes (nope)?
This particular activity has much higher accident and fatality rates than others; have you seen bungee jumping or skydiving suspended because of a few accidents (and lots of them have happened)?
You'll do what you want to do, regardless of the facts or statistics, but let's not pretend that the numbers don't back up the facts: this IS an inherently dangerous, unsafe activity. You might be a all-terrain biking wizard; but when the pace-setting 50 yr old in front of you (who hasn't been on a bike in a decade or three) loses it, that won't help you.
You can't trust the other riders, and you surely can't trust the exhausted rental car drivers who are on an unfamiliar mountain in an unfamiliar car and have been awake since 2 a.m. They are sharing the road, and probably not happy about having to slow down for a pack of nervous cyclists.
This particular activity has much higher accident and fatality rates than others; have you seen bungee jumping or skydiving suspended because of a few accidents (and lots of them have happened)?
You'll do what you want to do, regardless of the facts or statistics, but let's not pretend that the numbers don't back up the facts: this IS an inherently dangerous, unsafe activity. You might be a all-terrain biking wizard; but when the pace-setting 50 yr old in front of you (who hasn't been on a bike in a decade or three) loses it, that won't help you.
You can't trust the other riders, and you surely can't trust the exhausted rental car drivers who are on an unfamiliar mountain in an unfamiliar car and have been awake since 2 a.m. They are sharing the road, and probably not happy about having to slow down for a pack of nervous cyclists.
Jun 6th, 2012, 11:10 AM
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I completely understand and respect your opinion. And yes, I have seen skydiving operations suspended because of higher than average accident rates. I have been to Maui several times, as well as Haleakala, and have seen many of these tours in operation.
I am a scuba diver and know that my sport is also a dangerous one where accidents do unfortunately occur. However, I still scuba dive even knowing that I cannot guarantee the safety of my equipment, purity of the air I breathe, or ultimately by buddy's ability to support me should an emergency occur. It's a risk I'm willing to take in exchange for the thrill and experience.
Your first suggestion was to research the accident rate - which I would like to do. However, in order to do so, I need more current information than 2007. You don't have a link; that's fine. Was hoping maybe someone else did.
Cheers.
I am a scuba diver and know that my sport is also a dangerous one where accidents do unfortunately occur. However, I still scuba dive even knowing that I cannot guarantee the safety of my equipment, purity of the air I breathe, or ultimately by buddy's ability to support me should an emergency occur. It's a risk I'm willing to take in exchange for the thrill and experience.
Your first suggestion was to research the accident rate - which I would like to do. However, in order to do so, I need more current information than 2007. You don't have a link; that's fine. Was hoping maybe someone else did.
Cheers.
Jun 6th, 2012, 02:06 PM
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I looked it up by newspaper articles; I suspect not all accidents make it into the stats.
I didn't mean to preach, but I know two people who were cut up pretty badly (scars) on that route (different trips), and I think many people embark on this particular activity without researching it or being prepared. (After all, if you want to scuba, you can't just strap on a tank and learn as you go; lots of preparation involved, right?)
So, just wanted to make those who perhaps didn't know aware that there have been a lot of problems doing the Haleakala bike ride.
Aloha!
I didn't mean to preach, but I know two people who were cut up pretty badly (scars) on that route (different trips), and I think many people embark on this particular activity without researching it or being prepared. (After all, if you want to scuba, you can't just strap on a tank and learn as you go; lots of preparation involved, right?)
So, just wanted to make those who perhaps didn't know aware that there have been a lot of problems doing the Haleakala bike ride.
Aloha!
Jun 6th, 2012, 02:30 PM
#11
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I find these tours to be invasive. Have you ever tried to pass 30 amateur bicyclists on a free fall coast down unfamiliar winding mountainous roads with deadly drop offs and virtually no shoulder to speak of?
If you want stats, go visit the triage nurses at Maui's Emergency Room.
If you want stats, go visit the triage nurses at Maui's Emergency Room.
Jun 6th, 2012, 03:33 PM
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>>Have you ever tried to pass 30 amateur bicyclists on a free fall coast down unfamiliar winding mountainous roads with deadly drop offs and virtually no shoulder to speak of?
Yes. I think it looks crazy. I have friends who are coming on my next trip and have no idea what it is actually like. I thought it would be a good idea to conduct some research and try to look at things a little more objectively.
>> If you want stats, go visit the triage nurses at Maui's Emergency Room.
Why is asking for a web reference for statistics on these types of tours any different than asking for safety report statistics on the various helicopter tours conducted in the islands?
I think I'm sorry I asked! No ulterior motives...not looking for a GOTCHA...simply trying to educate myself.
I think I'll be leaving this thread now. Hope Mom3 is able to get some valuable info somewhere!
Happy (and safe) travels.
Yes. I think it looks crazy. I have friends who are coming on my next trip and have no idea what it is actually like. I thought it would be a good idea to conduct some research and try to look at things a little more objectively.
>> If you want stats, go visit the triage nurses at Maui's Emergency Room.
Why is asking for a web reference for statistics on these types of tours any different than asking for safety report statistics on the various helicopter tours conducted in the islands?
I think I'm sorry I asked! No ulterior motives...not looking for a GOTCHA...simply trying to educate myself.
I think I'll be leaving this thread now. Hope Mom3 is able to get some valuable info somewhere!
Happy (and safe) travels.
Jul 7th, 2016, 10:51 AM
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Things have changed since these last posts. And some of these posts are totally overblown (visiting ER triage nurses? Oh please). All activities do have risks but a guided tour limits those risks by having a guide in front and a van behind. Plus with a guided tour you can actually ride in the car lane and not restricted to the bike lane. Also with the option of being in the van rather than on the bike if one is not comfortable. I would recommend Bike-It-Maui tour. They were completely professional and had the best original safety record when they still rode within the National Park. These are the studies about the Bike ride, one by the national Park service and one by the Maui County.
https://www.cruiserphil.com/Pdf/NPS-safety-analysis.pdf
www.co.maui.hi.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/11411
I had no issues with this bike ride and I am a senior citizen who is in reasonable physical condition. Those who had more of an issue with the bike ride where those more experienced bikers who wanted to freelance and not stay within the parameters of the ride. For the casual tourist it was a blast and completely safe as far as I am concerned. The changes made with these studies was to have the ride start out of the park at an altitude of 6200 feet rather than from the summit (10,000 feet) and ride to Paia but not to the beach thereby bypassing a lot of surface traffic. I believe they have tweeked and evolved it to maintain and exciting yet safe experience.
https://www.cruiserphil.com/Pdf/NPS-safety-analysis.pdf
www.co.maui.hi.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/11411
I had no issues with this bike ride and I am a senior citizen who is in reasonable physical condition. Those who had more of an issue with the bike ride where those more experienced bikers who wanted to freelance and not stay within the parameters of the ride. For the casual tourist it was a blast and completely safe as far as I am concerned. The changes made with these studies was to have the ride start out of the park at an altitude of 6200 feet rather than from the summit (10,000 feet) and ride to Paia but not to the beach thereby bypassing a lot of surface traffic. I believe they have tweeked and evolved it to maintain and exciting yet safe experience.
Jul 8th, 2016, 01:26 PM
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Aw but like that expended air bottle on the side of Everest these misconceptions continue on. Since I found this on a web search I thought I should correct it with my experience even if it is 4 yrs old.
Jul 8th, 2016, 02:22 PM
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IMO the updated info is appreciated. One of the few occasions I've seen a Fodor's discussion dredged for something other than spam purposes. 
As for Haleakala, so much open and undeveloped space exists there that imo shared use of roads is ridiculous. If they want a bike excursion down the mountain, build one. Or at least widen the existing road and make a dedicated lane for one. At least from my reading most fatalities are caused not by cyclists doing themselves in, but impatient drivers stuck behind and attempting to pass them.
As for Haleakala, so much open and undeveloped space exists there that imo shared use of roads is ridiculous. If they want a bike excursion down the mountain, build one. Or at least widen the existing road and make a dedicated lane for one. At least from my reading most fatalities are caused not by cyclists doing themselves in, but impatient drivers stuck behind and attempting to pass them.
Jul 9th, 2016, 08:32 AM
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I'm not convinced with the updated info, which is far older then the studies that Marvin showed up to share. Nor do they include updated statistics of safety/risk.
I read the first link, and it is clear that the rides are/were dangerous.
Glad you had a good ride as a senior citizen. But the ride is still dangerous. There is a reason the Park chose to stop bike tours on their land.
And it is good that tours have been adjusted.
I would be much more impressed with a link that suggests things are safer in the past 4 years since this thread was started.
You as a first time poster, makes me curious about your story and whether you are actually involved in the biking down the volcano business.
Nothing overblown in asking a triage nurse at the emergency on the frequency of cases resulted from bike accidents - road rash, broken bones, head injuries, - it's not all as safe as you would like to tell people it is.
I read the first link, and it is clear that the rides are/were dangerous.
Glad you had a good ride as a senior citizen. But the ride is still dangerous. There is a reason the Park chose to stop bike tours on their land.
And it is good that tours have been adjusted.
I would be much more impressed with a link that suggests things are safer in the past 4 years since this thread was started.
You as a first time poster, makes me curious about your story and whether you are actually involved in the biking down the volcano business.
Nothing overblown in asking a triage nurse at the emergency on the frequency of cases resulted from bike accidents - road rash, broken bones, head injuries, - it's not all as safe as you would like to tell people it is.
Jul 9th, 2016, 09:02 AM
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> You as a first time poster, makes me curious about your story and whether you are actually involved in the biking down the volcano business.
Safety improvements are called for and made after every fatal accident, and if Marvin pushed a specific company I must have missed it.
Are you always this hostile? At this point I'm thankful for any new Fodor's member who's not a spambot.
Safety improvements are called for and made after every fatal accident, and if Marvin pushed a specific company I must have missed it.
Are you always this hostile? At this point I'm thankful for any new Fodor's member who's not a spambot.
Jul 10th, 2016, 10:36 AM
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If someone has been on Maui for weeks and has run out of all the things you can do -- mostly *free* (including leaping off Black Rock onto the heads of snorkelers) -- he could pay to *Brake* down a public highway being navigated by sleepy tourists in rental cars.
Why not man up, and cycle UP?
BTW, "Marvin" did rec a specific company.
Why not man up, and cycle UP?
BTW, "Marvin" did rec a specific company.
