Biking down Haleakala, Maui
 

We will be in Maui in mid December. Has anyone taken one of the bike tours which drive you up the volcano and then you ride down? Will it be too cold? How's the traffic?Should we go for a guided tour or self ride?Thanks.

There are many many posts on this: you will be cold, the traffic is scary, if you must, no way do it alone. Check out the elevation change. (I know several people who took bad falls onto the rocks.)That's my opinion: I'm sure you'll get others pro and con.

Many accidents, too crowded. sylvia's right.

Actually this is my very favorite activity on the island. I have done it several times, most recently a few weeks ago. I always ride with Haleakala Bike Company, unescorted. Cold? I suppose cold is relative. It is cold at the summit befgore the sun comes up, but you don't have to do a sunrise ride.

This was also our family's favorite activity. We did the sunrise on our own and then met our Aloha Bike Tours at Rice Park in Kula for breakfast. They take you to the entrance of the park (not the very top) and you start biking down, on your own, after most of the other bikers have passed the park entrance. We enjoyed a scenic, leisurely ride down the mountain and through the Uluu......Ranch and ended at the Winery for a picnic lunch---the other bikers end up in Paia. They follow you with the van in case you have a problem.
check out www.bikemaui.com

My wife and I did the sunrise bike tour in 1998 with Maui Downhill in Kahului,Hawaii (808)871-2155.They were great.Picked us up at our hotel at 2:30AM and took us to their headquarters,gave us coffee,sweetrolls,and outfitted us with warm weather gear,helmets,then drove us in van up Mt.Haleakala.Was close to freezing,dress in layers.The sunrise was magnificent,somethihg we will never forget,were above the clouds,saw shadow of mountain on clouds behind us.The ride down on bikes was escorted and perfectly safe.Stopped and had breakfast arranged for us at in inn about halfway down.Great views,no traffic at that hour.One guide led us in line,followed by second guide in van.It's about 38 miles and you travel about 26mph on average(we were 60 yrs old and handled it fine).Be sure and DO THIS. you will always be glad you did.An experience of a lifetime.

Be sure you've read up on the subject: for example, one of many is:
www.starbulletin.com/98/11/24/news/story6.html (or just google Haleakala bike accidents).

sylvia3 - That Honolulu Star Bulletin article is from 1998, and there are now approximately 70,000 people riding down Haleakala on bikes per year. And yes, there are occasional accidents and even deaths. I've done the tour 4 times, and it is not a piece of cake, but with the numbers of people riding on a daily basis, there are sctually few problems.
To answer your questions: Too Cold? It'll be around 30 degrees F at the summit before sunrise. Dress in layers. Shorts and a tee shirt under long pants and a sweatshirt. Closed shoes (sneakers are fine), no sandals. Most companies provide you with a windbreaker pants and jacket, gloves and a helmet. (check with the company you plan to ride with). Also either regular glasses or sunglasses. It'll get warm quickly as you come down the hill, and they'll stop you all and you can start to strip down :)) .
Traffic: Lots of it.
I've only been on the guided tours, so I can't comment on the others.

One more thing: people with heart problems, asthma, & pregnant women should not be going to the top of Haleakala at all.
((S))((*))

Ditto harrelpb.

We took the same tour and abolutely loved it and found that even oldsters on our tour were quite safe.

I will definately do it again!

My brother, boyfriend at the time (now husband) and I did this ride in 2000, and it was, by far, the highlight of our activities on the trip. We did the sunrise ride. I don't remember the company, but it was fabulous. (ours was through a company, but they just gave us bikes, etc and directions back to the company's headquarters in town, so bike hauled to the top, but no guide on the way down--this looked like the way to go to me!)

If you are in good shape and can ride a bike, you should be fine.

The Maui News is reporting today that at 73-year tourist died from injuries suffered on a Haleakala commerical bicycle tour. www.mauinews.com

My family drove up mid-morning, it is an amazing place. The bike ride's nothing that looked fun to me. I definitely would not suggest self ride. The temperature is better if you don't do the sunrise timeslot.

I have a friend that did that bike down Haleakala tour. He liked it but said it was crowded. I don't trust my lack of biking skill enough to try it.

Many people love this activity, many don't. My aunt did it a few years ago when she was about 77, with her daughter in her 50s. Neither is atheletic but neither had any problem. Aunt still raves about it and thinks everyon should do it. On the other side of the coin, I have friends who are avid bikers and thought it was rather lame. Everyone's experience will vary. My theory is if it sounds like fun and an experience you'll always remember - go for it.

David,

we are in Maui now and yesterday we did the Ride.

This is the best way to go:

1. You'll REALLY enjoy this ride if you are very comfortable on a bike. If you are, you'll have a BLAST!

2. It's a little more costly, but the best way to go is arrange for the tour bus to pick you up at your hotel. THEY ARE YOUR ESCORTS, HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT, AND YOU'LL HAVE A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE. Of course, they bring you back to your hotel too. It's about a 9 hr. deal.

3. AND YES! in December, before sunrise it is VERY COLD! If you plan to do the Sunrise tour, BE SURE TO WEAR THERMAL, HEAVY JACKETS, GLOVES, AND EVEN BRING A COUPLE OF HEAVY BLANKETS TO KEEP WARM.

4. The tour company will provide warm gear for the ride down. You don't have to worry about that. You can keep all your extra stuff in the van.

5. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE'S COMMENTS. This ride is the most popular tour in Maui. Yes, there are accidents and people killed. But this is usually due to people acting like a fool, getting too over confident on turns, etc. (The same rule for driving automobiles.) Just use common sense, you'll love this tour.

6. I'd advise booking with a tour group and not going alone. It's fun to ride with others and you WILL go really fast if you want to. The guide analyzes everyone's riding ability, then set the pace.

We vaation t least once a year and always book with tour companies. Honestly, we have had nothing but good experiences. Try going to www.barefoottours.com. This is the company I use in Maui. Been here several times and have done most all the tours.

We are doing the bike ride again before going home. This time we'll do the day tour.

Please contact me or questions. Have a great time Maui. December is a perfect month here. Temp is perfect.

Sal

David,

we are in Maui now and yesterday we did the Ride.

This is the best way to go:

1. You'll REALLY enjoy this ride if you are very comfortable on a bike. If you are, you'll have a BLAST!

2. It's a little more costly, but the best way to go is arrange for the tour bus to pick you up at your hotel. THEY ARE YOUR ESCORTS, HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT, AND YOU'LL HAVE A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE. Of course, they bring you back to your hotel too. It's about a 9 hr. deal.

3. AND YES! in December, before sunrise it is VERY COLD! If you plan to do the Sunrise tour, BE SURE TO WEAR THERMAL, HEAVY JACKETS, GLOVES, AND EVEN BRING A COUPLE OF HEAVY BLANKETS TO KEEP WARM.

4. The tour company will provide warm gear for the ride down. You don't have to worry about that. You can keep all your extra stuff in the van.

5. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE'S COMMENTS. This ride is the most popular tour in Maui. Yes, there are accidents and people have been killed. But this is usually due to people acting like a fool, getting too over confident on turns, etc. (The same rule for driving automobiles.) Just use common sense, you'll love this tour.

6. I'd advise booking with a tour group and not going alone. It's fun to ride with others and you WILL go really fast if you want to. The guide analyzes everyone's riding ability, then sets the pace.

We vacation at least once a year and always book with tour companies. Honestly, we have had nothing but good experiences. Try going to www.barefoottours.com. This is the company I use in Maui. Been here several times and have done most all the tours.

We are doing the bike ride again before going home! This time we'll do the day tour.

Please contact me or questions. Have a great time Maui. December is a perfect month here. Temp is perfect.

Sal