Imagine standing at the top of a 10,000 foot dormant volcano - two miles high - getting on a moutain bike, and riding down all the way to the ocean, without pedaling. This is a reality on Maui's Haleakala Mountain.

Thousands of downhill moutain biking enthusiasts have experienced this adventure on Maui since the industry began in 1982. Of all the activities on Maui, this is the unique one - the mountain bike ride that can't be done anywhere else on Earth.

This is how the mountain bike tours or rides work. You're picked up at your hotel and transported to a baseyard at the foot of the mountain. Here you're fitted with the windbreakers, helmet and gloves you'll be wearing on your downhill journey. After a continental breakfast you're off to the top of the mountain where you witness the spectacle of Haleakala Crater. This enormous crater is 21 miles in circumference, 3000 feet deep, and is large enough to fit all of Manhattan Island within its perimeter. If you choose to go at sunrise (a good choice) you will also see one of the most spectacular solar displays found anywhere.

Each group follows a lead guide in radio contact with the "chase van" that follows the group with cameras, warm clothing, etc. Many stops are made on the way down for extraordinary views of the island. A luncheon stop is usually made at one of the restaurants and then the final descent is made to the sea.

Once at the bottom, the experience takes on a somewhat surreal quality as your mind keeps replaying the constant series of turns and roadways that led to your final destination. One glance up at the top and you realize that you've conquered a mountain. You've connected with Maui in some way that you know is different. You smelled the camphor of the eucalyptus trees as you passed through the forests, and you breathed the cool thin air from Maui's highest slopes. Today was a different day for you, and it was worthwhile.

One Final Word of Caution:

The bike tours down Haleakala have been among the most popular tours of any sort on Maui. Literally hundreds of thousands of cyclists have descended the slopes on these exciting tours. You must remember however that you are on a moving vehicle that is traveling at speeds generally a bit in excess of 20mph. It is incumbent on you to ride your bike safely. Though there have been relatively few accidents with regard to the overall volume of bike tours that descend the mountain some of the accidents that have happened have been simply disastrous and in fact there have even been some fatalities. Once again you must remember that the movement of your vehicle and how and where you guide it is ultimately up to you.

Biking Tours and Rides in Maui - Options:

Sunrise - early morning pickup (about 3 am) and cold temperatures (in the 30s and 40s) are rewarded by the incredible display of a Maui sunrise above the crater rim. Free-style - take off down the mountain on your own.

Helpful Tips from Tom Barefoot - Maui Bike Tours and Maui Bike Rides:

A sunrise bike tour is best to plan on your first or second morning on the island. You'll still be on 'home time' and waking up very early. Take advantage of those wee hours and do something outstanding! Long pants, sneakers and a sweatshirt are essential on these bike trips. Remember to pack them. Dress in layers on the morning of your bike down Haleakala. The temperature warms considerably as you reach sea level. No cameras are allowed on the bike, but bring one anyway. It will ride safely in the "chase van" and you can take advantage of all the photo ops that appear around every corner.

Here are a few bike tour companies we offer on the island of Maui:

Haleakala Bike Company (Self-Paced Bike Tours) - was the first bike tour company on Maui to provide a Self-Paced bike ride down Haleakala. These bike rides generally take you up to the summit to see the crater and then bring you back down the mountain in a van to a staging area just outside the national park at about 6500. Youre off on your own to coast back to the Haleakala Bike Company shop in Haiku. The Haleakala Bike Company provides great tours for those who wish to take their time going down the mountain and progress at their own pace.

Bike It Maui - enjoy phenomenal sunrises and views from the top of Haleakala, then just when you think it can't get any sweeter, embark on a leisurely 28 mile downhill bike ride. Sunrise Tours available on State of the Art Bicycles, Helmets, Gloves, Helly Hansen all weather Jackets and Pants. Plus group photos of your tour will be taken just below the summit and posted on Bike it Maui's website for you, family and friends to download.

Cruiser Phil's Volcano Riders (Guided Bike Tours) - uses all single speed “cruiser” bikes built by the Worksman Bicycle Company. They all have drum brakes and extra wide comfortable seats, as do most of the bikes used by bike tour companies on the island. Cruise to sea level from Haleakala "Maui Style" with Cruiser Phil's. All riders will be fitted before the ride with a helmet, windbreaker suit, insulated gloves and a Joe Rocket motorcycle jacket for added safety and comfort.

Maui Downhill (Guided Bike Tours) - is the oldest of all the downhill bike tours going down Maui's Haleakala volcano. Cruiser Bob started the whole Haleakala downhill phenomenon back in 1983 and that company has since become Maui Downhill and as such has provided more tours down the mountain then any other company. They have logged about 12 million miles on their custom-built bikes.

Maui Mountain Cruisers (Guided Bike Tours) - founders Jon and Cheryl Thuro have done a remarkable job over the years in pioneering many of the industry standards that are used by downhill bike tour companies on Maui today. As one of the original companies and one of the largest on the mountain today, Maui Mountain Cruisers provides an excellent full-service downhill experience.

Mountain Riders (Guided Bike Tours) - is one of the bike tour companies that offers bike tours down Haleakala. Mountain Riders has been operative since the late 1980s.

This page contains information about: maui bike tour, maui bike, maui bike ride, maui mountain bike tours, maui mountain biking, maui bike rentals, maui moutain bikes, maui biking, guided bike tours.

Island of Maui - Discount Tours and Activities
Maui Air Tours - Fixed Wing	Maui Jet Ski Rentals	Maui Sunset Sails and Cruises
Maui ATV Off-Road Tours	Maui Kayaking Tours	Maui Surfing Lessons
Maui Bike Tours Down the Volcano	Maui Kid's Tours and Activities	Maui Theatre and Shows
Maui Combo Packages	Maui Land Tours	Maui Unique Tours and Activities
Maui Dinner Cruises and Sails	Maui Luaus	Maui Watersports
Maui Diving and Scuba	Molokini Snorkeling from Maui	Maui Whale Watching Tours
Maui Dolphin Excursions	Maui Motorcycle and Car Rentals	Maui X-Treme Activities
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Maui Golf	Maui Sailing Charters	Visit the Other Islands from Maui
Maui Health and Wellness	Maui Scuba Diving	Discount Tours and Activities - Only on the Island of Maui
Maui Helicopter Tours	Maui Sightseeing Tours
Maui Hiking Tours	Maui Snorkeling Tours	Visit and Snorkel Lanai from Maui
Maui Horseback Riding	Maui Spa and Massage	Visit Molokai from Maui
Inter-Island Excursions from Maui	Maui Submarines and Glass-Bottom Boats	Molokini Snorkeling from Maui

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