acaurora

So I will be in Maui for a week with the family, and, first thing I thought about was "... I wonder if I can rent a bike over there..."

A quick Google Search yields : https://www.gocyclingmaui.com/rentals.html , and it seemed pretty decent, and then I saw this picture on their album:

I know that it can get hot and humid there... but... really?

Then I saw this... and something tells me BFers will say to go with this store, as they carry *gasp* Cannondales for rentals

https://www.westmauicycles.com/Maui-b...ntal-shop.html

But in any event... can anyone provide any recommendations as to what to bring, what to do, where to go, where to rent from in Maui? I'd appreciate it.

johnny99

One of the best bike rides in the USA is on Maui:
https://www.chainreaction.com/haleakala.htm
https://cycletothesun.net/
I believe your photo is near the end of this ride.

gritface

Last May I rented from Go Cycling Maui. I had the kids and wife with me who weren't interested in getting up early to drive to the other side of the island to try out one of their daily ride packages. I was crossing my fingers to get a bike with decent brakes. They rented me one of their Litespeeds for only $5-$10 more and told me the best way to get to the Hana hwy from their shop.

All I have to say is 10/10. The bike was unbelievable for a rental. Perfectly clean, tuned and in great shape. I went through 3 separate rain storms and lots of wet road riding and felt really bad bringing it back dirty, but they didn't mind a bit. One of the shop guys gave even me a nice discount on chamois butter since I didn't have the bike out for the full day.

The road I chose to ride was the Hana hwy out to Hana mostly one lane road. Despite the warnings I got from just about everyone who had been to Maui, it was heaven on a bike. I paced behind a minivan for 45 minutes until they finally turned out to let me pass. I didn't have many people on my tail at all. You can't see half the scenery from a car, let alone stop whenever you feel like it. I highly recommend this road, nice mix of descents and climbs, very nice pavement, beautiful curves, fresh, clean air.

The wind wasn't bad at all. Warm rain is no problem. I just had a short sleeve cycling jersey, my bib shorts, helmet, glasses, glasses, shoes and pedals. If you stick on this side of the island, you have a lush canopy hanging over you. Other parts of the island don't have as much vegetation, especially if you climb Haleakala.

Do figure out a better plan for lunch than I did. All I ate was banana bread from a stand and some clif shots. By the time I made it to Hana (2pm) most places that sold food had put away their lunches. Either start early enough, or bring something that can get you back to the shop.

I'm envious of anybody who is planning on riding in Maui. It's definitely an item on the checklist of things to do before you die.

acaurora

Thanks for the info gritface. I will definitely consider riding Hana highway to Hana. Have you done the climb to Haleakala? I am considering it, although am wondering if I'm in over my head (the 10000ft elevation kind of scares me).

gritface

I felt that May was too early in the season for trying something like that. The challenge was certainly calling my name. Go Cycling Maui is also close to the Haleakala road as well.

Here's a partial shot of the rental bike and the coastline.
n_IMG_1810.JPG

waikikihei

Keep an eye on the weather here:

https://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/?page_id=20

The red bib dude is at the top, on the service road to the observatory.

Road to Hana looks like this after twin falls- curvy and safer. Before twin falls the road is straighter - traffic is flying. Stay well to the right - locals will buzz you if you hug the white line.



Here is a pic of the crater. The dark blue under the clouds is the ocean. The road to Hana is down below in this direction.

Herbie53

I rented from South Maui Bikes last week. They rent Trek up to 4.7's.

https://southmauibicycles.com/

My ride report from Haleakala here..
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tential-energy

The West Maui loop is an awesome ride (did it yesterday), especially once you get around to the North side as noted above.

acaurora

Herbie53 - Sounds like you had a blast! I hope I will have a similar experience. One thing I wanted to ask - this ride that you did to Halekala Summit, is it clearly marked, as in, is there a route map somewhere? Or do you just take the highway the whole way up?

johnny99

The links I posted earlier have detailed maps and photos. Yes, you pretty much take the highway all the way to the top.

acaurora

Ah okay. I got confused on the climbbybike website and didn't see the map link, haha.

So when you rented the bike, did you have your jersey/bibs/shoes/pedals/helmet/gloves etc? or do they provide that stuff for you? Did they get you fitted before you took the bike out ?

Garfield Cat

A number of years ago, maybe over 5, we went to Maui and I found a touring company that would take me up Haleakala, fully supported. Trouble was that we were island hopping and had only a few days to spend in Maui. The touring company wouldn't do just one customer. By the time they got more customers to go up, I had to leave to Kauai.

But they're there. And you get the bike and everything, nutrition, hydration, support vans and support riders.

Herbie53

I brought my own helmet, cloths/shoes and pedals. They supply helmets with the rental at South Maui Bikes though. I think it is typical to bring your own kit.

Herbie53

A guy staying in the hotel I'm in did that. Good if spendy idea since it's about impossible to carry enough water, clothing and food. I bummed off of other tourist who used cars.

Marinman

I did this ride last year with Go Cycling Maui with three other riders, I would bring shorts, jersey, socks, shoes and pedals. They provide support including food, water and nutritional supplements. They stopped at various stops for food. The road is pretty well marked and becomes the only road to the summit. The bikes they use are Lightspeeds and get you a bike your size with a quick fit. They only do this ride once a week from what I saw, so you would need to contact them as to which day they are going. GMC does other rides during the week with support and definetly check them out. They stop the support at the park entrance.

I trained by doing a lot of riding and many loops on a local 6% grade hill (Haleakala is avg 6%), its hard but its fun and at 6% not huge steep although there are steeper sections. There is really one hill up on the way back, long enough to wish for more down hill. Most of the down hill people start at the entrance of the park and I wouldnt recommend it to anyone.

Below is a cut paste I have answered to people regarding riding on Maui:

<In Kehei you have a rental at South Maui cyclery https://www.southmauibicycles.com/ and they have some good bikes, bring your own shoes and gloves ect.., they provide seat bag, helmet. There are several other places that rent bikes including Lahaina and Haiku. They do supported rides out of Haiku (and rent bikes) at https://www.gocyclingmaui.com/store.html including to the top of Haleakala ($$).

As for the riding on Maui most roads are pretty good there (avoid Hansen road by the sugar mills) and there is a great trail along hyw 311. Major rides are: North mountains (30 to 340 to 330 to 380, 100km I havent done it yet) up country (37 to 31 until you hit the bad part of the road) or shorter south of Kihei take 31 through Makena. They also ride the Hana Hwy but I havent. Out of Kihei there are great shoulders on the Pi'Ilani Hwy and really better than riding the main road in Kihei. Plan your rides around the trade winds which run between the two mountains and wrap around the two mountains, these come in from the North East mainly in the afternoon. Here's a map of the island that includes great bike lanes: https://www.westmauicycles.com/Maui-County-Bicycle-Map.html>

Haleakala is a great ride and very rewarding, I know people that have done it solo but I would recommend Go Maui as they include a great bike and support.

acaurora

Thanks for all the feedback everybody. I appreciate it. Now the question really becomes if I should go for the supported (and therefore, pay) ride or if I should just go solo on my own. Am just scared of the *remote* possibility that something goes wrong and if I need help if I go on my own.

MDcatV

gocyclingmaui.com is a no brainer to ride with/rent from if going to maui. just take your shoes, pedals, and bibs. they provide everything else. donny is a first rate guy and his staff is top notch.

JC 911

I am headed to Maui in April for the 1st time and plan to bring my bike with me since I will be there over a week. I never have any luck renting any decent bikes so I'm going to bring my own. Plan to do all solo rides - as long as there is cell service I'll be able to call for help.

acaurora

I thought about bringing my bike, but I believe that the bikes that I can rent over there should be sufficient. I have the Travel Guard insurance which covers medical/emergency evacuation, so again I'm back to solo vs paid group hah...

acaurora

Well after a week of exchanging emails and calls, it appears that Go Cycling Maui is not doing the Haleakala ride the week that I"m here (which is now)! Have considered going solo, but my parents are strongly against it and I myself, while I think I can do it, am wary of being in unknown territory as well as the slim chance that something happens and that I need help (plus I mean, come on, I'm on vacation here!). So I'm going on one of their normal group rides (Hey, it's Hawaii, so I mean it's still going to be amazing) tomorrow. 40 miles, 4000ft of climbing, should be fun. I will have another chance at the Haleakala ride I'm sure, I'm relatively young (Definitely plan on calling before planning my next trip haha)

gritface

How did your ride go? Where did they take you?

acaurora

You can read about it here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ala-I-failed-(