Self-guided downhill
 

A few of the Maui downhill bike companies are self-guided, and this sounds attractive (and also less expensive). I'm confused though, since it appears that the guided tours start at the summit inside the park, while the self-guided start at the park boundry and go a shorter distance. 1. Is this correct? 2. Am I missing the best part of the ride, even if we do the van tour of the park first? Any comments would be appreciated.

Bill, I don't see any replies to this. Did you get any answers to your question. We are going in October and would also prefer a self-guided tour. Can you let me know anything you find out.

Mary, <BR>No I never got any responses, but I can tell you our experience from our late-June trip. We went with Haleakala Bike Co., which was the self-guided type, but we also saw the other groups on the mountain. <BR>Our trip (9AM, not sunrise): We drove to the bike shop at a town at the base of the mountain. They loaded 3 vans with people and bikes (which were nice 21-speed mountain bikes, and we also got helmets and windbreakers) for the ride to the summit, within the Nat. Park. The driver gave an entertaining narrative on the way up, then we toured the park, with several stops at the most interesting spots (took about an hour). Following this we went about 5 miles back down the hill to the park entrance, where we got on the bikes. We left at our own pace for the trip back down, about 25 miles, I think. Vans stay in the area for the first few miles, then they leave, but we would see them occasionally later, just checking to be sure everything was OK. My wife and I made several stops, and took about 3 hours to get down - a great time. <BR>As best I can tell, the guided trip are as follows: Vans often will pick you up at your hotel, vans make the trip to the summit and give the guided tour. Bikes used are single-speed cruisers with drum brakes, a park requirement. Starting at the summit, the group proceeds single-file down the mountain, with guides at front and back. This is the only method allowed in the park. The group makes lunch stops etc. together, all the way back to base. <BR>Price: I paid around $60, the guideds are $100-120. I saw few advantages to the guided method, other than the slightly longer ride from the summit, however maybe someone else will comment with a differing opinion. <BR>

I also use Haleakeala Bike Company in June. We had a great time. We explored the area at our own pace and stopped at different fruit and flower stands along the way. We also stopped for breakfast at the Kula Lodge. We did the sunrise tour. The sunrise was beautiful. Be prepared though it was freezing at the top. I would definately recommend this over a guided tour.

We just got back from Maui and did not do the bike but did drive up to Haleakala. We talked to a couple who went with a guided tour and they said they would not have done it guided again. Since you do go down in a single file line with guides in front and back everybody has got to go at the same pace. She was not as comfortable going so fast so after a few miles they made her get in the van and drive down and would not let ride. As long as you do the tour in the van you are not missing much. The very beginning you are biking through clouds and rain anyway.