Why Its A Great Idea to Take A Maui Downhill Bike Tour On Your Island Vacation

When thinking about your island getaway, you may just envision lying around on the gorgeous beaches of Maui all day reading a book and soaking up the sun. That of course would be a nice vacation. But there are many reasons to add a Maui downhill bike tour to your island plans! Here’s a few . . .

Great way to see (or experience) Upcountry. Our downhill bike tour takes you through the mountainous landscape of Upcountry Maui. Starting out with a land tour of the Summit area of the volcano Haleakala, our bike tours offer a unique chance to really experience the scenery of Upcountry firsthand. Because our particular self-paced Maui downhill bike tour allows guests to ride at their own pace, on their own timetable, and without the unwieldy large groups of guided bike tours; you can stop to pick a flower or take a picture at a unique spot along the way. The world is yours! As you bike down, you can stop at one of the charming small towns or restaurants along the route. The quaint towns in Upcountry have a variety of unique shops, boutiques, and art galleries to explore. But more than just driving through Upcountry, taking a downhill bike tour through this picturesque countryside lets you be a part of the land, and really take in the distinctive beauty of this area – an area that many Maui tourists never get to experience.

An unmatched biking experience. If you enjoy biking or want a little adventure on your trip (but not too much), then the Maui downhill bike tour is the activity for you. It’s really the ultimate biking experience. Think about it, what could be a more exciting biking adventure than to bike down a volcano? What a great story to tell! Plus, while this bike tour offers a great sense of adventure, it is downhill so you don’t have to be a professional cyclist to go on this bike tour. The adventure is really in the incredible scenery of Haleakala and Upcountry.

See an unforgettable sunrise – a great bucket list item. One of our Maui downhill bike tour options is the Haleakala sunrise bike tour. On this tour, you’ll see the sun rise above the clouds at the peak of Haleakala. This is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Everyone agrees that seeing this sunrise at an elevation of 10,023 feet above sea level is really one of the most unforgettable moments of their entire vacation. Instead of driving up to Haleakala only to view the sunrise, our Haleakala sunrise bike tour combines this unforgettable experience with the opportunity to see more of Upcountry, up close and personal!

Easy and fun exercise on vacation. Many like to get some exercise in while they’re on vacation. So instead of just riding a recumbent bike in a hotel gym, why not ride down the captivating Haleakala volcano? You’ll be able to get some light exercise in the fresh mountain air and beautiful hillsides of Upcountry.

Really, there are so many benefits to taking the Maui downhill bike tour while you’re here on vacation! Our bike tour will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip. Book your downhill bike tour today!



(First two photos by PV Photography)

Looking For A Great Group Activity in Maui Try Haleakala Downhill

Maui is a world-class destination for a vacation with family or friends. In fact, there are a number of great Maui activities that are ideal for a group including Haleakala downhill. Biking down the Haleakala volcano is an incredible group activity! Check out why . . .

Self-guided Haleakala downhill bike tours. Our Haleakala bike rides are self-paced so this means your group can stop and go along the bike route as they please. Guided Haleakala downhill tours often have to stop where the guide wants to stop, so you may not be able to eat at the Kula Lodge & Restaurant on the way or stop in Makawao Town, but only at their planned tour sights. This can restrict your group, especially when you have different interests than your tour guide.

On Maui Sunriders’ Haleakala downhill bike tours, your group can stop wherever they would like. Check out the different boutiques, art galleries and restaurants at small towns on the route. vGet some fresh fruit at a stand along the way. When it’s at your own pace, you can bike like your group would in your own hometown with the freedom to see what you want to see.

Or if you don’t want to do the entire activity as a group, you can start out together and meet up at the end in Paia for dinner. This way you have the atmosphere of a group, but everyone also has the freedom to do their own thing if they want. Everyone benefits with self-paced bike tours!

Haleakala downhill isn’t a pro sport. Not everyone in your group may be able to surf, and that can be a bit frustrating for those that want to be in a Maui group activity but aren’t very athletic.

The Haleakala downhill bike tour, however, is a Maui activity that just about anyone can do. All you have to know is how to ride a bike with hand brakes and you’re set! Even children who are at least 9 or 10 years old and are experienced in riding a bike alone can take the Haleakala downhill bike tour.

Children who are at least 6 years old can ride on a trailer bike behind an adult. And we have had a 90-year-old bike rider join us! Haleakala downhill is a relaxing and at the same time exhilarating sport for the entire family. The only restrictions are that pregnant women and those over 300 pounds not ride.

The self-paced feature of our Haleakala downhill bike rides also allows flexibility in regard to everyone’s athletic abilities. Being self-paced, you can stay in your own comfort zone of biking without the pressure of trying to keep up with a bike tour guide and a group of people who not be of the same ability.

There’s something for everyone along the way. Ziplining, snorkeling, or spearfishing may not appeal to everyone in your group. But along the Haleakala downhill bike tour, there will be something for everyone in your group to see. Along the route they can stop to shop in a charming small town boutique or see the paniolo cowboys of Makawao or create their own ‘food tour’ throughout the various towns along the way. Upcountry Maui offers such diversity. Each member of your group will find his own favorite spot along the route.

Discover the beauty of Upcountry Maui and explore Haleakala as a group on your downhill bike tour!

Winter Safety Tips - Biking in Maui & on the Mainland

Maui biking is a year-round activity thanks to our pretty much always gorgeous weather. When biking in Maui during winter though, you may encounter a little more rain.

Winter is the wettest time in Maui although even then, it isn’t Seattle-type rain. Here it may only rain for an hour or two, maybe more some days, but then the rain leaves us with a beautiful rainbow. So winter biking in Maui is much the same as in other seasons. The temperatures for Maui in the winter generally average between 70 and 80 degrees so it’s still very nice especially if you’re coming to visit from the Northern United States.

In Upcountry Maui along the slopes of Haleakala, it can get a little colder, but still very nice weather. On the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,000 feet, weather can be extreme, especially during the winter months. There has at times during winter been “light snow dustings” at the summit, but this doesn’t happen too often. We recommend bringing the warmest clothes you have with you for the Haleakala Sunrise Bike Tour, but wearing layers that can be taken off as you ride down Haleakala to warmer temperatures. The Haleakala bike ride does go through 6 different micro-climates, but for the most part, it’s an endless summer in Upcountry.

In short, winter biking safety tips for Maui include planning for a fair chance for wet weather so good rain gear is important. On our Maui volcano bike tours, we provide guests with rain/wind gear including gloves, jackets, and pants to make sure they have everything they need for a safe and fun bike ride.

When riding your bike in Maui just after it begins raining, remember that this is when roads may be the slickest so be cautious, especially around corners. Look out for wet “rainbow” patches on the street which could be a sign of an oil patch on the road. Avoid puddles which could also be potholes. Biking experts say that when cornering in the rain, try to shift your weight on the outside pedal and go slow and carefully.

For the mainland, biking in winter can include much more than rain. But even biking in winter on the mainland can be very enjoyable. Some cyclists even commute to work year-round. REI noted these tips for biking through the winter:

• Don’t overdress. “The most important aspect of cold-weather riding is your clothing. It’s also the area where most first-timers make mistakes . . . Wear just enough clothes to be slightly cold when you start pedaling. The first few minutes may be chilly, but your body produces a vast amount of heat when riding a bike so you’ll warm up quickly.” Avoid wearing cotton as your base layer; instead try a synthetic wicking fiber.
• Bring a waterproof backpack.
• Run tires at a lower pressure than during summer to allow for better traction.
• Use bright lights for both the front and back of the bike.
• Install fenders on both wheels.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and eat enough food. “While the cooler temps may not make you feel like you’re dehydrating, the reality is that biking is an aerobic activity and the outside temperature has little effect on the amount of water your body loses . . . In winter, you can reach dehydration long before you start to feel thirsty.”

For more helpful tips on biking during the cold winter months on the mainland, visit http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-bicycling.html.

Winter is a great time to visit Maui because of the great weather here as well as the opportunity to see the humpback whales that visit during the winter. If you come to Maui in winter or summer, be sure to take a Maui bike ride through Upcountry on our self-paced Haleakala volcano tours. It’s an unforgettable experience – from the mountain to the sea!