We'll be a family of four (2 adults, 2 young adults) traveling to Hawaii for the first time next week. Two main attractions that we would like to do is the sunrise bike at Haleakala and the road to Hana.
Questions:
1) Is it a reasonable ride for two people in their mid-50s down the volcano? We don't bike at home, but are in shape.
2) Can you recommend a tour co. to do this with?
3) Should we just skip it, and take the rental up/down?
4) Is the road to Hana a reasonable expectation for a nervous driver?

Thank you very much!

Don't let age stop you from going down Haleakala. People in their 80's have done it.

You should know how to ride a bike, but dont have to be a "biker". Except for the first 1/4 mile or so...the whole ride is downhill.

My wife and I have downe it,but my son and daughter-in-law did it a couple of months ago.

They used Cruiser Phil's and were very pleased.
http://cruiserphil.com/

We found a great coupon in the HAwaii Entertainment book (buy one get one free)

I'd definitely do the guided tour....it's much safer.

We were advised to skip the bike ride down Haleakala and instead just use our rental car and I'm glad we did. Not much effort required on the ride down --you're breaking the whole way -- the trick is keeping the bikes single file on a very narrow and windy road with cars passing you. I have a friend that was hurt when someone ran into her from behind and have heard that injuries are frequent. Also, it's VERY cold and windy at sunrise, so dress warmly. A park ranger told us that he thinks it's actually much nicer to watch the sunset from Haleakala and there is a neat spectral effect that can sometimes be seen at that time if there are low clouds. The road to Hana is not a particularly difficult drive, it's just very curvy. Take it slow (as everyone does) and you'll be fine... it's worth it. Consider grabbing some sandwiches before you start out and stopping for a picnic at Hookipa Beach Park (one of the most famous windsurfing beaches in the world). And if you have the time, I'd suggest spending a night or two in Hana at one of the sea cottages at the Hotel Hana-Maui. It's quiet and remote, but a wonderful change from the rest of the island.

I would take the bike ride. It is a long ride down but it's all coasting. Only your arms will get a little tired but hey, you get to recover in Maui! Do dress warm though and in layers. There is no other place on earth that can give you this experience. If travel is the spice of life, this is the cayenne pepper. It will give you all a memory and shared experience that you will never forget.

Don't worry about the drive to Hana. If you want to go, go. I would get an early start. I seems most tourists leave after 9am. By getting out early, there will be less traffic and less pressure. Don't let someone from behind rush you. There are lots of turn outs and almost all of them have fantastic views so use them and take your time. With luck you will find someone that goes slow that you can follow but if you don't, just pull off the road regularly. People will give you a break as long as you don't hold them up too long. Really, you should just feel sorry for anyone in a hurry. They are not having a vacation if they are in a rush. They should have just stayed home. I like the idea of taking a lunch along because there are not a lot of places to eat. Hana is a very small town. The 'seven sacred pools' are not worth the additional drive. The are not all that fantastic and were never sacred to the Hawaiians. There are some lava caves you can explore just before you get to the town of Hana that are fun to see. There is also a black sand beach to visit.

Have a fantastic time!

If someone got hit from behind, they were probably going down on their own.

When we went down the vehicle that took us to the top stayed behind us and blocked traffic. Every once in a while our guide told us cars would be coming and we all moved way over to the right.

A 72-year-old tourist was fatally injured in June while he and his family were on a downhill bike tour with Mountain Riders.

His bike veered off the roadway and hit a guardrail. He flew over it and landed 40 to 50 feet below.