cdp8

I'll be on Maui during the last week of September. I'm taking my bike and planning to ride up Haleakala. Depending on familial obligations, I may get to ride 1-2 other days. Any suggestions? I'm staying in Wailea.

Bicycling Magazine said the best ride in the state is the road to Hana. Having seen that road in travel videos and heard about it from people that have driven it, it seems like one would be crazy to ride that road. Has anyone ridden it?

Thanks

toddles

I'm going there at the end of October. I'm riding down the mountain -- not up -- and wanted to biker to Hana but my gal (who's already been there) said I'd be a nut to do it. So let's hope somebody pipes in here with experience.

barefootcrpntr

We live in Haiku, and ride a portion of the road from home towards Hana 2 or 3 times a week, weather permitting. Its really not too bad, the tourist drivers are usually okay, but the locals can be a bit aggressive. No shoulder most of the way, and there are steep drop offs down to the ocean in many places. It really is a great ride, I wouldn't miss it if I were a visiting cyclist. The best part of the ride starts just east of Haiku, and some like to drive to Twin Falls, and start from there. Haiku to Hana Bay and back is just under 80 miles, with about 6200' of climbing. 5.5- 6 hours riding time at a brisk pace. A full East Maui loop is around 100 miles. I've ridden this loop no problem on a road bike, but there is some gravel road, and very rough pavement near Kaupo.
Another option is the West Maui loop. Starting from Ma'alaea, about 60 miles, around 4000' climbing, and near 3 hours if you are really fast, but 3.5 to 4 hrs at a more leisurely pace.
Aloha

cdp8

barfootcrpntr, thank you very much for the info. That West Maui loop looks like a great ride. I doubt the wife would be OK with me riding the road to Hana or the whole East Maui loop, but I could probably do an out and back on the southern part of East Maui.

Toddles, you have eight weeks to train! HTFU and earn that downhill!

toddles

Fantastic info! Thank you.

toddles

Oh man, looks like I'm doing the West Maui loop as well.

SClaraPokeman

I've rode West Maui on bike 10 years ago and it was really scenic and fun. I drove it with family this year it was pretty unenjoyable as there are too many one lane sections where you have to exercise extreme caution in case of other cars coming the other way. A rare road where I actually felt more at ease on a bike (BTW most cars are moving very slowly and the traffic is quite light). Road surface is ok, not great, but your speeds are going to be relatively low anyways.

I drove to Hana and around the whole East Maui in April. My feeling is that it's rideable, but the traffic would be a bit on the annoying side at times--maybe starting super early would be beneficial. I think that about eight miles of the loop (starting around Lindberg's grave) are gravel with large rocks and rutted and rough. I couldn't see road biking it at faster than 6 mph or so. Past the rough stuff the road is glassy smooth and beautiful and I wish I was on a bike. I think doing the whole East Maul loop would be a real achievement, but I'd definately carry an extra tire with me in case something happened in the gravel area.

CB HI

If you only have one additional day to ride, I would do the West Maui loop. Enough hills and great scenery.

cdp8

SClara and CB HI, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I'm pretty certain i won't have time for the East Maui Loop. I may have time for the West Maui loop and it looks like a beautiful fun ride.

I'll post a RR when I get back.