...carry a credit card, too! The ranger station at 7000 ft absolutely requires a CC to pay the $12 bike entrance fee.

I rode the fire road for maybe a mile or so past the top of Waipoli so get an idea of where it went. If you make it up there on a road bike I'm going to be so pissed off and jealous that I don't know what I'll do! :-)

Please post about it when you give it a try. I'd love to know if it's possible.

---

Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

I just watched some videos of Mamane Trail. Yeah... don't think it's possible on a road bike.
But... adding another couple miles contuining down Waipoli to where it meets Skyline and then take Skyline straight to the top might be doable.
I would have to be perfect weather. Any precipitation would make ascending impossible and descending back down dangerous as hell.
The plan would be to descend on the paved route once I reached the summit.

I'll be in Maui last week of March... so maybe attempt on March 30 or so? I'll document it here if I do.
I'm going to go purchase a compact crank now...

I've done it twice, once good weather once not. #1 advice is bring a credit card to get into the park, they don't take cash!

The bad weather time it was pouring and 38 degrees after 7000ft. I had a rainshell and threw on winter gloves for the descent. Pedaled the descent hard while braking to keep warm. If you are freezing, the good thing is you'll be baking in Maui soon enough.

I rented a basic tarmac from west Maui cycles, affordable and worked well. Depending on how strong you are might want their Roubaix which has more gearing. I was 3:22 up, 1:00 down starting in Paia. I did 3 bottles and refilled at visitor center and was fine.

Have fun it's a great ride and people at the top think you're the coolest thing on sliced bread for riding up.

HUGELY important point that I forgot. Very important.

Thanks for catching that.

---

Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

@ntc - 1hr down!? Wow, that's ~30mph avg downhill including the switch backs - impressive!

Thanks ntc@ and dfroelich@ for the credit card tip. I could have easily forgotten that! I know many park entrances that accept cash only but never heard cc-only.

Always a chance of rain...be prepared.