Hi,

We recently came across the "Maui on a Budget" website with discount activity prices. Can anyone comment on these bicycle companies or on the "Maui on a Budget" company?

Haleakala Bike
Maui Downhill
Maui Mountain Cruisers
Mountain Riders

Thanks.

Hi Joan.
Just returned from Maui and before I want I did a lot of research on bicycle tours on Haleakula and it seemed to me that the best of the bunch was a small husband/wife run operation called Aloha Bicycle Tours(THEY HAVE A WEB SITE).Iwas impressed with their route(a little different then the others,less crowded),and they aren't as regimented as the others allowing you to stop for photo ops when YOU chose.Guess what?After arriving in Maui we drove up to the summit for a ride and found that satisfying enough to can the bike trip.We watched groups going down on bikes and it didn't impress us as better than the car trip.To each his own!Check out Aloha bike tours on their web sight,if I had gone that would have been the one.Good luck !!

Hi Joan,
I've done the sunrise bike ride down Haleakala each of the last two years with with Mountain Riders and each time have found them to be well organized, prompt at the hotel pick-up, experienced and very safe. The "bike ride" is really nothing more than a downhill coast (minimal physical exertion so don't expect a workout), but the views and the scenery/landscape changes can be stunning. The first time I went with Mt. Riders, we encountered a freak storm with very heavy rain and wind gusts at the top of the volcano. They determined that it was not safe for us to go ahead with the ride, even though several of the other companies were getting their riders suited up and ready to go. Mt. Riders took us about 10-15 miles back down the mountain and had us start there, below the rain. They also gave us free t-shirts and free breakfast (breakfast was originally included in the price of the ride) to compensate for the weather, which was really not in their control. I thought it was pretty cool of them to do that -- so nice in fact, that I returned the next year and did the whole thing over again, so that I could see the actual sunrise. Aloha!

I booked our luau and Molikini Crater trip through "Maui on a Budget." Greg is extremely nice and even came to our hotel to deliver the vouchers. He had the best prices I could find.

About the biking down Haleakala. I, too, would skip it. The drive is just as fun and the bikers we passed didn't look like they were having a good time. Seemed dangerous with the cars around.

I've never been to Hawaii, but my brother and his family are frequent visitors. On their last trip (Aug. '99) they called me to say they nearly lost their youngest daughter (14) on a bike trip down a volcano!! Seems she took off and immediately skidded on some loose gravel, went head over wheels, ended up in the emergency room and was lucky to be alive! She was ultimately fine, though scraped from head to toe (lucky the bike helmit had a face plate or she would have needed plastic surgery) and ready to enjoy the rest of their vacation. I'd stick listen to Charlie and take the car, but that's just me.

I think alot depends on the weather. My wife and I biked down, several years ago, and it was fabulous..but so was the weather.

If the weather is really rainy...the bike ride down won't be as much fun.

We were accident free in our group....except for one guy that fell(only a little scrape) because he was showing off and didn't listen to the guide.

Joan, My husband and I did the sunrise volcano ride twice on two separate trips with Maui Downhill. If the weather cooperates the sunrise is unbelievable.
From the top the view of the coast is tremendous. Then you get on your bike and cruise down, with a stop for breakfast, almost to the ocean in Paia. It's a great way to see the non-beach side of Maui. The downside is you go all the way up to Haleakala but don't get to see much more than the crater because immediately after sunrise the bike groups start to leave.
We had to go back another time so we could see more of the crater, silverswords, etc.
It was expensive but it was worth it!

Joan,
We've been to Maui about 14 times and to Mt. Haleakala about 10, always taking a car! Unless you have a mad desire to do the bike thing you can see just as much with the car and not have to worry about being run by a car or bus (it can be a bit scarey when a huge bus passes you I would think). The road is a very good one but it is windy and there can be spots of dense fog and heavy rain at times. We have always enjoyed doing the car thing, you can stop where you want, spend as much time as you want, etc. We've been in all kinds of weather from super-fantastic to times when we wondered why were we doing this, but it's always been an experience and the crater (on a clear day) is fantastic. You do need to pay attention to the altitude tho, it's over 10,000 ft. at the top and no matter what your age may be you can feel it. We've seen teenagers gasping for air (granted they were running around and jumping on rocks) but still, take it into account.
Whatever you decide to do I'm sure it will be a fun trip.

My husband and I did downhill mountain bike rides in Alaska and in the Blue mountains in Jamaica and had a wonderful time on both of them. They were done at your leisure and if you wnated or needed to stop there was no problem. It was very relaxed. We did the biking with Maui
Downhill and were disappointed. As soon as the sun rose we needed to take off. They rushed us all the way down because they time the trip and they have to have a certain amount of time between each group. We were not allowed to stop at our leisure and felt very pressured to go at speeds we were not comfortable with. There were some big tour buses that scared me and I about fell of my bike -- the road is only a medium size road which would be fine with no traffic. I beleive the last message about the little girl -- If I go again I would take a car up and enjoy it at my
leisure.

We have done the Biking down Haleakala but not with any of the companies mentioned. Also, I would be pressed to call it a budget activity, it wasn't.

We did it with Aloha Bike Tours with 10 and 14 yr old daughers (they now have age limit, it was before that time.) The 10 yr said it was the funnest thing she did besides swimming in Maui.

Aloha Bike Tours is run by husband/wife team. The tour starts below the park entrance, which is at much lower altitude than the options given by larger companies. The other bike groups we saw travelled in a troop. I remember being told it was something to do with National Park regulation (since the other companys' tour start within the NP boundary.) As someone else said, you go down at your own pace. Which was just fine with my two daughters. We stopped at many places to take pictures.

It is definitely not for those who are uncomfortable riding bike in town. It is also not either or with a car trip. It is primarily a bike ride, unusual that it is nearly all down hill.

As for the traffic, the Aloha Bike Tours starts way after the sunrise cyclists and car travellers have gone down. We encountered perhaps a car every half a mile or less. But make no mistake, you are going down on a two lane highway (most of the time)leading to a National Park. Reckless riders can reach an astonishing speed with grave consequences.

Aloha bike company went out of business. Forget budget with the bike rides and think safety. The unguided bike companies, like Haleakala Bike Company and Maui Sunriders are by far the safest with no deaths and less accidents. They allow you to go at your own pace coming down. You can stop and eat, or take pictures. Rest if you feel you need it. Really check out the view. Maybe meet some locals. The guided companies, which herd you down the mountain have poorer safety records. Depending who you talk to they have had 12 deaths, some say as high as 20. They are all about getting you up and getting you back, the sooner, or faster, the better. These companies have very poor relationships with the locals. Road rage is common. Many lawsuits. They also violate local traffic laws everyday. This also leads to dangerous situations. Check out the website at bikemauisafety for more facts. Then chose wisely. Your life might depend on it.

Aloha Bicycle Tours is the tour my husband and I took in Maui. http://www.mauibike.com/. I would highly recommend it. This is a husband and wife team. I hope this is not the one Macheteman is referring to. Their web site is still up and running. This is a wonderful ride at your own pace. Plenty of time to stop and enjoy the beautiful countryside. There are several stops including a protea flower farm. It ends with lunch at a winery. This was one of the best things we did on Maui.

We also went with Aloha Bike Tours with our teenagers and had a wonderful, safe time, going at our own pace. You start a bit after most of the cyclists and sunrise viewers have started down.

They just updated their website in Jan 09. Are you sure they are out of business?

Joan, I didn't read the others,

All I can share with you is that although many have loved this bike trip, many others have been hurt, some have been hurt bad, and others have been hurt permanently.

just so you know the risks.

damnit damnit damnit....i hate when I respond to a thread started in 1999!!!!!