I know about the ascent up Hale Alkala (sp?), but what other notable training rides are there?
We will be there for Thanksgiving and need some advice for those who’ve done it.
I was there 2 years ago in May (off season ?) and couldn’t believe how busy and dangerous it was on all of the main highways (kinda like Kona), I can’t remember the names of the roads but the north coast was quite but the roads were in bad shape in spots, also we rode up to the moutain that over looks Maui’s main beach that was also nice and quite and there was a coffee shop at the top, lots of climbing.
I found the drivers quite aggressive with riders and a few yelled at you for being on the shoulder and one threw something at us. I will take riding in Cali any time over hawaii.
In Clearwater, riding the day before to check out the course, some Floridian chased us down in his car, virtually rode us off the road and told us to f… off f… bastar…
It was something I’ve grown accustomed to. In Utah, I’ve had rednecks through beer bottles and do everything they could to kill you. We as a nation suck in regards to cyclists.
#4 on the map is an amazing ride. Try to hook up with Donnie if you can. Great guy.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints about riding on Maui in this and other forums, but I’ve lived here for almost four years and had very few problems, knock on wood. The main roads are pretty crowded with cars, but it’s an island. Ride early and with caution. My favorite three rides are: 1. From the Haiku Community Center out to Keanae and back. Buy banana bread in Keanae. This is the road to hana. Utterly beautiful ride, hilly, not as dangerous as you might think becuase tourist cars slow traffic down and it you can hear them coming. 2. The road from Rice Park in Kula out to the end of the pavement (east) and back. Hilly, no cars, beautiful views etc. 3. West Maui loop. Park in Maalaea, at the ocean center. Ride toward Kaanapali, follow that road around clockwise around the west maui mountains, until you end up back where you started. Buy banana bread in Kahakuloa Village. Another post says this is a bad road – the road is fine 99% of the time, ok the other 1%. This road is well worth it. The Haleakala ascent is OK i guess from a check it off the list perspective-- I personally wouldn’t list it in even my top 10. Some people seem to really like excessive climbing, I’m not one of them. That said a lot of people seem to be fired up about it. Enjoy your time on Maui.
Round upper-west Maui. Start from Kaanapali or Napili and head north. The road will eventually go down to one lane. If you go early, you will see very little traffic. Go to Waihee or Kahukaloa and double back.
This has almost as much climbing as Haleakala, but it’s all up and down.
You can make a loop going back down the center of the Island, but I don’t recommend it as it has heavy winds and lots of traffic.
-jens
Round upper-west Maui. Start from Kaanapali or Napili and head north. The road will eventually go down to one lane. If you go early, you will see very little traffic. Go to Waihee or Kahukaloa and double back.
This has almost as much climbing as Haleakala, but it’s all up and down.
You can make a loop going back down the center of the Island, but I don’t recommend it as it has heavy winds and lots of traffic.
Thanks jens. We did that ride several times, and enjoyed the couple of short steep climbs.
BTW, Hale akala is not that tough, just constant. The hardest part is screaming around the bike tours on the way down. Biking on Maui is fun but dangerous.