Going to Maui in June...still not sure if we should drive up, see the sunrise, and then go on a bike ride, or just do the sunrise bike tour, or forget the bike ride altogether and just drive the whole way....We like to bike but some of the posts really make it sound dangerous and we don't want to ruin our vacation with somoeone getting hurt....I think I like the tours where you can ride at your own pace later on....anyone have anymore opinions on this or names of a good company...anyone done Cruiser Phil's??

I did the bike thing years ago. It was really amazing--rainy one minute, dry the next. I did fall off my bike, but managed to get back on with only a scraped knee. You just have to be careful because there tend to be small rocks on the side of the road. The bike trip is a trip of a lifetime and I would definitely encourage you to do it.

My husband and I drove up and back down on our own to save some money and we were SO glad we did. Unfortunately for us and the 100 other people at the top, it was raining and freezing at sunrise, so we didn't get to see anything spectacular (NOTE--be sure to check the weather conditions before you leave the hotel in the morning--it was clear at our hotel, but raining on top of the volcano). I imagine that the rain and freezing conditions were not fun for the bikers on the way down the mountain. Thankfully it cleared up about halfway down. Also, it seemed to me that the biking down the mountain only involved constant braking and trying not to fly off the side of the road. I don't think you'd be able to enjoy the scenery because you're basically watching the road and the 50 other bikers in front of you. We took our rented Jeep up and we were able to enjoy the view (at least I was--the husband was driving so he had to watch the road a little) and stop whenever we wanted for a photo op or just to take it all in. Just my two cents!

Nancy, you might want to consider going up for SUNSET instead. We opted for this because we didn't want to lose a night's sleep and feel lousy the next day. (Course, we are middle aged...we used to be able to do that no prob when we were younger.) You could drive up earlier and do some hiking and then bring a blanket, warm jackets and some munchies and snuggle to the most spectacular sunset imaginable.

I am so glad you mentioned the sunset....someone else said that would be so pretty and we are middle aged too!! That sounds like a great idea..was it really pretty?? Is the hiking good up at top?? I think I like the idea of driving up ourselves..I agree that you aren't really getting to see all the sites because you are worrying about the bikers in front of you...THANKS for the good tips!!

PS...I bet later in the day wasn't as crowded either!!

Hey Nancy,

Just returned from Maui/Kauai this past weekend and did the sunrise our 1st morning there as our clocks were still on East Coast time. It was very nice and I'm glad we did it, but if we were to return we probably wouldn't wake up that early again. Sunset may be just as nice.

DOug,

Did you do any sunset cruises or snorkeling while you were there in Maui?? Where did you stay??

WE took a tour.....for us it was great!!! The drive up the mountain was done in the dark so glad I was not driving!!! The road was curvy and it was just nice to relax.....esp at the early hour. The sunrise was amazing..and no matter how you get up there..do it!! Then on the way down we stopped at some golf club for an included breakfast.....the omelet they served was one of the biggest and most delicious I have ever eaten!!

We also took a tour to Hana..and let them drive that road as well....then they took us all the way around the backside and we finished the loop...that back side is really rough...and only the best of 4 wheelers should be trying to drive it. But oh...oh oh the views!!!!

For us tours were the answer cause I got to relax and really look out the window!!

Hey Nancy,

We stayed at the Four Seasons in Wailea....really loved it there. Hotel was beautiful and service was impeccable.

Didn't do any sunset cruises but did snorkel at the Fishbowl just north of La Perouse Bay. Great hike thru a lava field with the prize being some terrific snorkelling. I would recommend going early (before 8ish) because it gets crowded with kayakers as the morning wears on.

Nancy, the drive up was exciting, to say the least. (In fact our drive to Hana the next day was relaxing by comparison.) The whole way up Haleakala it was foggy and raining. I kept thinking we'd get up there and see nothing! But lo and behold it was perfectly clear up there and the clouds were beneath us. There weren't very many people (this was in late September) which made it all the nicer. We didn't leave ourselves enough time to hike, since we stopped in Paia and Makawao but will get there earlier next time. Regarding the bike ride, a friend of mine did it and said it was the scariest and most dangerous thing she had every done. After about 1/2 hour her hubby rode the rest of the way down in the van. I don't think you really see the scenery, because you are worried about staying on the road. Dont want to discourage you though, I know a lot of people love it and recommend it. If you want to see some of our Haleakala sunset pictures, go to: http://community.webshots.com/user/maggiwun and click on "Haleakala at Sunset - Maui"