Cycling tours in Hawaii (Oahu or Maui)



R

Roger Zoul

Guest
Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu and am
thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from Heleakala
summit.
 
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu and am
> thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from Heleakala
> summit.

I'd think the uphill ride would be more interesting. Downhill is all worrying about
brake failure and speed dissipation, unless you deploy a drag chute to handle it.

A couple plates sticking out at right angles to the bike ought to be invented
for wind braking, that would not produce side forces on the bike.

I don't think there are many great bike routes, though it's a nice method of
getting around. The road to Hanna along the north/east coast of Maui might be
suitable for a tour, but that's going to get boring too.

My preferences are for open sky flat country, for the distant horizons in all
directions, though. The rainforest is too shut in.

I rode around Honolulu up hills one-handed pushing an accompanying girlfriend
with the other, long ago. Girlfriends really slow you down.
--
Ron Hardin
[email protected]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
 
Roger Zoul wrote:
> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu
> and am thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from
> Heleakala summit.

Earn your fun: pay the Gravity Gods!
 
Ron Hardin wrote:

> I rode around Honolulu up hills one-handed pushing an accompanying
> girlfriend
> with the other, long ago. Girlfriends really slow you down.

Yahbutt...
 
"Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote in news:13600fpm7em8ec0
@news.supernews.com:
> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu and am
> thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from Heleakala
> summit.

These guys lead bicycle rides up the volcano (much more exciting than riding
down): http://www.gocyclingmaui.com/
 
Ron Hardin <[email protected]> wrote:
> I don't think there are many great bike routes, though it's a nice method of
> getting around. The road to Hanna along the north/east coast of Maui might be
> suitable for a tour, but that's going to get boring too.

The Hana Highway would be a beautiful ride if it weren't for the thick traffic on
that narrow, winding road. I would think that an interesting bike tour without the
traffic would be from Hana south and west on the Hana and Pi'Ilani Highways. The road
is officially closed at some point along the south coast, but I've heard that it's
passable. This would make it especially appealing as a bike tour.

> My preferences are for open sky flat country, for the distant horizons in all
> directions, though. The rainforest is too shut in.

Think west coasts or high elevations in the Hawaiian Islands if you're looking for
open, more arid country. I find the rain forests more interesting because the open
areas look too much like home (California).

--
Bill Bushnell
http://pobox.com/~bushnell/
 
On Jun 1, 4:24 am, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu and am
> thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from Heleakala
> summit.

I did it in '94. Bored the pi$$ out of me. (At least in our group),
you had to wear m/c style helmets, couldn't pedal, couldn't turn your
head left or right. I got quite bored and--at the mid-way food stop--
got on the van and enjoyed the view on the way down.

I hope this wasn't representative of others' experience....
 
On Jun 1, 6:24 am, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu and am
> thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from Heleakala
> summit.

I did the downhill ride 10+ years ago. It's enjoyable enough but three
warnings:
1- The folks that run the group rides gear them and the bikes to suit
non-riders. They also get very nervous if you don't brake a lot. (This
could have been just the outfit that ran the ride I was on.)
2- The sunrise may be beautiful *when you can see it* but more than
one local told me later that the gorgeous sunrise I was expecting only
happens about one morning in any two weeks. The rest of the time there
are too many clouds.
3- It gets very cold and very wet at the top and very warm at the
base. Layers are required.

If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
crater.

Regards,
Bob Hunt
 
Bob wrote:
> On Jun 1, 6:24 am, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu
>> and am thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from
>> Heleakala summit.
>
> I did the downhill ride 10+ years ago. It's enjoyable enough but three
> warnings:
> 1- The folks that run the group rides gear them and the bikes to suit
> non-riders. They also get very nervous if you don't brake a lot. (This
> could have been just the outfit that ran the ride I was on.)
> 2- The sunrise may be beautiful *when you can see it* but more than
> one local told me later that the gorgeous sunrise I was expecting only
> happens about one morning in any two weeks. The rest of the time there
> are too many clouds.

Bingo City. When I was there a number of years ago, we got up at, like, 3
AM to drive from Kihei (sp?) to the top of Haleakala (THAT I can spell?!?).
Stumble around with 40-50 others at the Visitor Center Joint for a while,
and then file out to watch the big event.

Only problem was it was so cold and cloudy that the "sun rise" was more of a
dim "dawn's early light". The photos we took ALMOST did the disappointment
justice! Just plain sad...

The drive back down was pretty in places, but yeah the bike groups looked
pretty lame and tame (/slow/). Would definitely be fun to bomb down it on a
decent road bike -- but I'd want to "earn my fun" first by riding up.
Assume the "crater" ride would be on dirt or at least off-road?

> 3- It gets very cold and very wet at the top and very warm at the
> base. Layers are required.

Yup. Hawaii can be freezing at higher elevations. (My ex was from there
and she could be icy, too. Sigh.)

> If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
> crater.
>
> Regards,
> Bob Hunt
 
Bob wrote:
:: On Jun 1, 6:24 am, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote:
::: Anyone have any experiences to share? I'm going next week to Oahu
::: and am thinking of skipping over ot Maui for the downhill ride from
::: Heleakala summit.
::
:: I did the downhill ride 10+ years ago. It's enjoyable enough but
:: three warnings:
:: 1- The folks that run the group rides gear them and the bikes to suit
:: non-riders. They also get very nervous if you don't brake a lot.
:: (This could have been just the outfit that ran the ride I was on.)

Interesting.

:: 2- The sunrise may be beautiful *when you can see it* but more than
:: one local told me later that the gorgeous sunrise I was expecting
:: only happens about one morning in any two weeks. The rest of the
:: time there are too many clouds.

That would be very disappointing, since I'd have to spent the night on Maui
to make that sunrise happen (while still holding a room in Honolulu).

:: 3- It gets very cold and very wet at the top and very warm at the
:: base. Layers are required.

Check.

::
:: If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
:: crater.

I've never attempted that much of a climb before, even though I agree it
does sound like a lot of fun. The person traveling with me doesn't seem
interested in doing this climb (he's more of a mountain biker), but I'll
probably bring up the idea with him. Mark's page helps to give a good idea
of what's involved. "If you encounter a 10% grade, you've made a wrong
turn." Yeah, absolutely! :)

I'd better take my Garmin 305.

Doing this on a rental gives me pause, too.
 
Pat wrote:
::::: If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
::::: crater.
:::
::: I've never attempted that much of a climb before, even though I
::: agree it does sound like a lot of fun. The person traveling with
::: me doesn't seem interested in doing this climb (he's more of a
::: mountain biker), but I'll probably bring up the idea with him.
::: Mark's page helps to give a good idea of what's involved. "If you
::: encounter a 10% grade, you've made a wrong turn." Yeah, absolutely!
::: :)
::
:: Did I read that you used the words "climb" and "fun" in the same
:: sentence? Are you nuts? I don't recall any climbs being "fun." :)
::
:: Pat in TX

Well...you know how that goes...climbing becomes fun after it's over! :)

That's assuming you survive, that is.
 
On Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:20:57 -0400, Roger Zoul <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Pat wrote:
> ::::: If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
> ::::: crater.
> :::
> ::: I've never attempted that much of a climb before, even though I
> ::: agree it does sound like a lot of fun. The person traveling with
> ::: me doesn't seem interested in doing this climb (he's more of a
> ::: mountain biker), but I'll probably bring up the idea with him.
> ::: Mark's page helps to give a good idea of what's involved. "If you
> ::: encounter a 10% grade, you've made a wrong turn." Yeah, absolutely!
> ::: :)
> ::
> :: Did I read that you used the words "climb" and "fun" in the same
> :: sentence? Are you nuts? I don't recall any climbs being "fun." :)
> ::
> :: Pat in TX
>
> Well...you know how that goes...climbing becomes fun after it's over! :)
>
> That's assuming you survive, that is.
>
>

I think the climbs are the only reason to go biking. Who wants to bike on
flat ground? (And I'm not being facetious -- I really mean this.) Of
course, if you live in AZ, where I used to live, or parts of TX, you might
not have the option of hills. In AZ, I had to ride 10-15 miles just to
get to rolling "hills" (using this term loosely). Most of the hills where
I ride now are in the 7-8% range overall, with some steeper sections,
typically separated by relatively flat sections. There's one hill that's
13-14%, but thankfully it's very short.

--
Bob in CT
 

> :: If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
> :: crater.
>
> I've never attempted that much of a climb before, even though I agree it
> does sound like a lot of fun. The person traveling with me doesn't seem
> interested in doing this climb (he's more of a mountain biker), but I'll
> probably bring up the idea with him. Mark's page helps to give a good idea
> of what's involved. "If you encounter a 10% grade, you've made a wrong
> turn." Yeah, absolutely! :)

Did I read that you used the words "climb" and "fun" in the same sentence?
Are you nuts? I don't recall any climbs being "fun." :)

Pat in TX
 

>
> I think the climbs are the only reason to go biking. Who wants to bike on
> flat ground? (And I'm not being facetious -- I really mean this.) Of
> course, if you live in AZ, where I used to live, or parts of TX, you might
> not have the option of hills. In AZ, I had to ride 10-15 miles just to
> get to rolling "hills" (using this term loosely). Most of the hills where
> I ride now are in the 7-8% range overall, with some steeper sections,
> typically separated by relatively flat sections. There's one hill that's
> 13-14%, but thankfully it's very short.
>
> --
> Bob in CT

It has occurred to me over the years that hills are the only real challenge
in cycling. And, they have a bonus after you conquer them. I do relish a
challenge. But, I don't call it fun. I call it a struggle.

Pat in TX (don't kid yourself, North Texas is not flat by any means of the
word)
 
Bob in CT wrote:
::
:: I think the climbs are the only reason to go biking. Who wants to
:: bike on flat ground?

Er....me? You don't like looking at the scenery? The fresh air?

Don't get me wrong...I enjoy zooming down a long hill and I enjoy how I feel
after I've done a lot of climbing, but I would not say that climbs are the
only reason to go biking....

(And I'm not being facetious -- I really mean
:: this.) Of course, if you live in AZ, where I used to live, or parts
:: of TX, you might not have the option of hills. In AZ, I had to ride
:: 10-15 miles just to get to rolling "hills" (using this term
:: loosely). Most of the hills where I ride now are in the 7-8% range
:: overall, with some steeper sections, typically separated by
:: relatively flat sections. There's one hill that's 13-14%, but
:: thankfully it's very short.

Those are some serious hills, IMO...7-8% overall...you have an edge or
something that reads grades?
 
On Jun 4, 6:12 pm, "Pat" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> It has occurred to me over the years that hills are the only real challenge
> in cycling. And, they have a bonus after you conquer them. I do relish a
> challenge. But, I don't call it fun. I call it a struggle.
>

Perhaps climbing is the only challenge in cycling that you enjoy but
it is hardly the only challenge. Challenges don't come from the
terrain, they come from within the rider. Sorry if that sounds Zen but
it's true.

Regards,
Bob Hunt
 
On Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:12:41 -0400, Pat <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>>
>> I think the climbs are the only reason to go biking. Who wants to bike
>> on
>> flat ground? (And I'm not being facetious -- I really mean this.) Of
>> course, if you live in AZ, where I used to live, or parts of TX, you
>> might
>> not have the option of hills. In AZ, I had to ride 10-15 miles just to
>> get to rolling "hills" (using this term loosely). Most of the hills
>> where
>> I ride now are in the 7-8% range overall, with some steeper sections,
>> typically separated by relatively flat sections. There's one hill
>> that's
>> 13-14%, but thankfully it's very short.
>>
>> --
>> Bob in CT
>
> It has occurred to me over the years that hills are the only real
> challenge
> in cycling. And, they have a bonus after you conquer them. I do relish a
> challenge. But, I don't call it fun. I call it a struggle.
>
> Pat in TX (don't kid yourself, North Texas is not flat by any means of
> the
> word)
>
>

Well, I think there could be other challenges, such as performing a
certain distance in a certain time, but I've always been one to enjoy
hills. I like the burning sensation in the legs, the heart rate near
maximum, the seeming lack of air. When I started biking, I had a mountain
bike. My friends and I would go biking, and they loved the downhills.
Meanwhile, I loved the uphills and really didn't care much about the
downhills. Now that I'm older and have less and less time to devote to
riding, the hills allow me faster increases in aerobics and more calories
burnt. I guess it would be possible to ride on flat ground and just push
yourself to recreate some of the same criteria, but I personally think it
would be boring.

I like hills so much that I actually worry about moving. For instance, CT
has its share of hills but also has flat sections. I rode an MS ride near
Hartford that was basically flat. It was incredibly easy, I thought
(except for the heat, that is). I selected the 75 mile ride, but had I
know how easy the ride was, I'd have selected the century (again, except
for the heat -- it was May but hot).

--
Bob in CT
 
Pat <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> :: If I could do it over again I think I'd look into riding *up* the
>> :: crater.
>>
>> I've never attempted that much of a climb before, even though I agree it
>> does sound like a lot of fun. The person traveling with me doesn't seem
>> interested in doing this climb (he's more of a mountain biker), but I'll
>> probably bring up the idea with him. Mark's page helps to give a good idea
>> of what's involved. "If you encounter a 10% grade, you've made a wrong
>> turn." Yeah, absolutely! :)
>
> Did I read that you used the words "climb" and "fun" in the same sentence?
> Are you nuts? I don't recall any climbs being "fun." :)

Well, a nice gradual climb can be nice, especially if the outside
temperature is low so you're not sweating everywhere. Then you can
bundle up for the descent.

I think my least favorite is a never-ending series of ups and down, it's
just not very rewarding.

--
Dane Buson - [email protected]
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves
up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
-- Winston Churchill
 
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