Maui got a surge in popularity about 15 years ago, when companies started offering bike tours down Mount Haleakala. Tom's Barefoot Tours was first on the scene. Initially called Cruiser Bob's , the company staged the first downhill bike tours in the 1980's and introduced tourists to the beauty of inland Maui. Dozens of companies soon followed suit, and biking is now one of the top Maui activities for both tourists and locals.
The company offers two kinds of bike rides: a guided tour and an unguided or freestyle tour. The guided tour is offered to beginners and first-timers, and involves a dedicated tour guide who stays with the group for most of the tour. These tours are usually short, starting in midmorning and ending at noon at the Paia area or one of the nearby attractions.
The Sunrise Bike Tour is more popular among cycling enthusiasts. These tours start at around 3am with a hotel pickup, which takes you to the summit of Mount Haleakala. You'll make it just in time to catch the sunrise at the Haleakala Crater-a height of over 10,000 feet above sea level-before taking off for the downhill ride.
The descent down the volcano starts at the Haleakala National Park at around 6,500 feet. A chase van travels nearby with cameras, warm clothing, and emergency accessories, and several stops are provided for rests and picture taking. The tour ends at noon with a sit-down lunch before the guests are dropped off at their respective hotels.
The Island of Maui has some of the most scenic bike tours on Hawaii because most of the tours bike start from Mt. Haleakala from where you can see the entire coastline of West Maui.
Article by Kani Amea
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