I have been planning on riding to the top of Haleakala (at about 10,000 ft) on Maui for my 40th birthday but am now considering riding my road bike from Kawaihae to Waimea then up the Saddle road to the Mauna Kea observatory lookout road and changing to a mountain bike for the final half of the climb to the 13,700 ft summit. Anyone ever do it? Does anyone know if the observatory road is paved or gravel? Thanks.
Sounds pretty cool … it does turn to dirt … you may have friction from park Rangers, apparently not “legal” by their standards
I would not ride a bike on the saddle road. Much of it has no shoulder, they pave 1 strip down the middle, so the edges are crap and cars often just drive right down the middle. That goes well with the blind corners and hills. That road is scary enough in a car. Also, if its winter the road to Mauna Kea is closed whenever it snows (yes it does snow in Hawaii)…kj
One of my tri friends from Honolulu has done the climb to the summit, and I expect many have done it before. I recall seeing a researcher on his bike last June “riding to work” to the top.
Up to the Visitor Center (approx 9,000 feet) it is paved, but just above the visitor center to about 2 miles from the summit it is NOT paved. Some good ‘switchbacks’ and steep sections, but generally okay road. I would not suggest riding in the peak of winter given the snow. I was up there in January this year just after a good dump of snow - dressed in shorts and a t-shirt after being on the beach 3 hrs earlier.
There is a road bike race to the top of Haeakala in September I think. Search for ‘Ride-to-the-Sun’.
I second that actually, not the safest ride - good call KEJ … still SOUNDS cool though 
The road is paved up to the visitors center 9,000 ft (?) or thereabouts. Then about a mile or two past there it turns to hardpack. It would be very do able with support to change bikes and give you clothing as it can be really cold above 10,000 ft. Also take note of any altitude sickness sypmtoms. Making a working climb like that a certain percentage of people will get some cranial edema or altitude sickness symptoms, and you can die.
A guy that works up there says they are working with O2 above 10,000 feet as your pulse oxygen can get into the low 80% at rest. So sometimes hypoxia can cause problems as well. Take it slow, drink lots of water, and know when and if it is time to quit and it could be a lot of fun. Man you can see a long long way up there.
Depending on the moon phase it might be worth it to stay up and watch stars that night. Serious warm clothing needed for that though.
It does sound cool, I’d just drive to the access road and ride from there. Instead of Kawaihae to Waimea, I’d go up through Hawi and the Kohala mountains, then down into Kamuela. Its beautiful up there in Kohala…kj
Another cool thing to do for your birthday is hike the inside of Haleakala. they have some cabins in the bottom of the crater that are really neat to go visit. They do a lottery to get them, but we went on short notice when a ski trip to Colorado went bust. We did three days and it was one my all time favorite trips.
I second that you need to pay very careful attention to altitude sickness symptoms. My father is an astronomer that used to run one of the observatories at the top Mauna Kea. I’ve heard lots of stories from him of how the altitude has messed people up. The symptoms can be very similar to things that happen to scuba divers if they ascend too quick. And the effects of altitude sickness are actually magnified, not mitigated, in lean, fit athletes.
Remember you going straight from sea level to 13k feet in one shot. Be very careful and definitely give yourself a long break at the visitors center to acclimate.
Post pictures when you do it. The scenery up there is amazing. If you ever wanted to know what the landscape on the moon or Mars might look like, here’s your chance.
Chris
I agree…I suspect that altitude sickness is a risk with the rapidity of ascent…Find other ways to get your kicks…Altitude sickness can kill you if not taken seriously…It is not just like pushing yourself on a workout…
I went up Mauna Kea by car and took time to aclimatize…I still ended up with an element of sickness, and excruciating headache for 24 hours after coming down…
S
get hard pussies 
.
How is riding on the queen K, I am coming out for a few weeks in jan and want to bring my bike ride the course then do some riding around. can anyone make some rec’s on routes.
thanks
Kevin
I agree…I suspect that altitude sickness is a risk with the rapidity of ascent…Find other ways to get your kicks…Altitude sickness can kill you if not taken seriously…It is not just like pushing yourself on a workout…
I went up Mauna Kea by car and took time to aclimatize…I still ended up with an element of sickness, and excruciating headache for 24 hours after coming down…
S
Actually I think it was because you went up in a car. I have ridden up Mauna Kea a few times ( just to the end of the pave at 9000’ )& done a couple cycle to the sun races to the top of Haleakala. Never had a problem. But before the cycle to the sun race we drove the course & at the summit noticed the effect of altitude. Walking was rough But your actually going up quite slow in comparison on a bike. So you acclimate on the way up.
Lots of folks get headaches driving to & from Mauna Kea summit in the same day due to the fast climb & descent in a car. That is also why the workers usually stay up there during the week & only come down on the weekends or end of work week.
What others have said about saddle road is true if climbing from the Waimea side. Dangerous! Climbing from the Hilo side is much safer with good shoulder most of the way.
When you are done go to the beach bar at the Mauna Kea hotel and order a Fredrico. Best drink on the big island.
I drove to the summit after Ironman this year. What G-man and Hairy Legs said about the paved/hardpacked road is correct. But why cycle? As I was driving up, there was a guy from Montreal who RAN from the Saddle Road to the summit. It took him about 1 hr 20 min to the Visitors’ Centre where he re-fueled. (He had a support driver.) It took him another 2.5 hours to run/walk to the summit from there. Now that’s hardcore!
On the day of my 40th birthday, the only special thing I did was ride my bike to work, and celebrate to myself that I am actually alive and able to do this stuff with my partially cripple 40 year old body :-). My wife did have a number of friends over the following day (a Friday, so that was fun).
Seriously though, I will be cycling in France next May as the real 40th Birthday present:
http://www.irontri.triathletesonline.com/?cp=97
As for climbing over 10,000 ft, I would agree with what the others said. Whipping up to over 13,000 ft really quickly can make you feel pretty miserable quickly, and bad things are known to happen. I’d stick to the 10K ft climb in Maui that you can do on your road bike…or join us in “Les Alpes” next May 
Way mo bettah is to order 3 fredericos. The beach there is PERFECT! The booze helped too
I drove to the summit after Ironman this year. What G-man and Hairy Legs said about the paved/hardpacked road is correct. But why cycle? As I was driving up, there was a guy from Montreal who RAN from the Saddle Road to the summit. It took him about 1 hr 20 min to the Visitors’ Centre where he re-fueled. (He had a support driver.) It took him another 2.5 hours to run/walk to the summit from there. Now that’s hardcore!
Um, that’d be me. But I didn’t race, so needed some challenge of my own. It’s an awsome run and I would highly recommend it, if you can deal with the altitude. Gain of 7500’, loss of 450’ (little dip to the summit), about 3:30 total run time, about 14 miles. Take the main road to the visitor center, where you can fill up on water. Right after that, there is a cool trail just to the left of the road- cuts a mile off the road route, and you’re all alone. But it’s 1/6 steeper as a result of the mile loss. Of course, you can always hike/run from the visitor center. You pass the only tropical permafrost-fed lake in the world (at 13000’), and rejoin the road shortly thereafter, for the last mile trudge to the telescopes. Most of the upper section was more of a fast hike due to the altitude. The summit is a short hike down a valley and to the offical peak. It’s unworldly. I suggest organizing a support vehicle or hitch a ride back down, unless you don’t care about your knees. Being above the swirling clouds is worth every effort to see this summit, even if you have to drive up.
Jonathan
Are you ready for www.saltstick.com?
Ooopps, sorry about over-estimating your time by 20 minutes.
I’m in awe…
When I was a kid, my dad and I use to take bodyboards down the sno capped summits. The hike up was KILLER!! One time I did a sprint and passed out. I ended up rolling down the hill and had to climb up all over again.