Thought I'd just post my Haleakala ride experience:
Interesting that I happened to do this climb on the anniversary of the first official Haleakala
downhill ride (20 years ago, I think). We are staying in Ha`iku, so I left from there, which cut
about 500 feet or so off of the total climb (oh gosh, I was heartbroken about that…). Everything
was ready the night before, so I was out our front gate at 5:50 AM, turning….uphill. At that
point, I had no idea what to expect. There were some showers in the area but they were kind enough
to avoid me on the way up. I just ran into a few clouds and mist. Temperature at the start was a
balmy 69 degrees.
I wound my way up to Makawao where I turned up Olinda Road (did not see the beeg cat-the Cougar that
is supposed to be in the area) and then cut over to Haleakala Hwy (377). The observatories on top of
the mountain were glowing in the sun and didn't look so far away as the crow flies, just a lot
higher than where I happened to be at the moment. The uphill was not hard here, and there had been a
couple of dips where I didn't have to pedal, so I felt pretty good, thinking "I can do this, I can
do this." I saw the first group of downhillers on this road. In general, they did not appear to be
having a lot of fun (I'm sure it had been a long way down for them by this point).
I turned left onto 378 where the National Park sign is and stopped for some gator aid at Sunrise
Market (nice place with picnic tables in the back). I think I had gone about 10 miles at this point.
Then the steady climbing began. I was pedaling fairly slowly to save myself. Legs felt good so far.
Back was holding up. Life was great. Saw more downhillers. A couple shouts of "You're going the
wrong way!" (argghh), but mostly encouragement from riders and some people in cars, which was very
helpful, especially after I got into the higher altitudes.
I began to go through the long series of switchbacks. It was neat to see the Kehei side of the
island in one direction, then see the Kahului side when I changed direction. Lisa, Judy, and
James passed me and stopped for a minute to check how the old man was holding up. Then they, went
back down to Sunrise Market for breakfast. Me, I had a power bar-yum, yum. Everything was still
going great at this point-bike behaving, back behaving, light wind, no rain, happy legs as I
pedaled up, up, up.
At the 6500 foot level, I was still feeling pretty good. L, J, and J passed by and gave me more pog
(gotta be better than gatoraide!). James and I shared a power bar, and I rode on. Very shortly I got
to the park entrance station. Lisa had paid my $5.00, so I kept going and caught up to them at the
7,000 foot visitor center. I shared more power bar with James. After a brief stop there, I continued
riding. Now it began to get harder. I rode through some clouds with only a little mist. Temperature
was in mid 60s, and the moisture helped cool me a little. The altitude was effecting me a little
bit, but not as much as I thought it would. What really became hard was the wind. It was great when
it was behind me, pushing me, but when it was in my face or gusting sideways, I had to crouch down
real low and try to keep from blowing off the road! People shouting encouragement as they passed was
really helping me now.
It had clouded up below me, so I didn't have too much of a view. There were also some whispy clouds
above the summit. I kept going. It got harder. At 8,000 feet I was ready to be done. Also, the grade
had gotten significantly steeper for a couple of miles (8-9% vs. 5-6%), but at least I gained
altitude more quickly. It was going to be real hard for the last 2,000 feet, but now I knew I was
going to make it. At about 9,200 feet a young woman passed me like I was standing still (actually, I
was standing still, resting, but she was going up pretty steadily-aah to be in my 20s again!). She
was from Nevada, so altitude was not a problem for her. It was nice to meet someone else riding up,
not down. I passed her as she stopped to look at a Silversword, then she passed me again.
Finally made it to the parking lot, where L, J, and J were waiting. I rested (actually panted) for a
few minutes and then began the last quarter mile to the summit. What a quarter mile. I took it very
easy and was going less than 3MPH, but you can get up almost anything if you go slow enough. I got
to the top and rode up the little path to the 10,023 foot sign. Man, what a great feeling!!! Being
up there and looking down into the crater at the alien beauty with the myriad of colors and textures
was awe inspiring. Temperature was in low 60s, but it felt great! Legs were fine, life was
wonderful! Lisa took a couple of pictures, I put on my arm warmers, and started back down, doing
about 30mph. Wind gusts kept wanting to push me off the road.
I hit the clouds, and rain, at about 7100 feet. I knew that would happen but figured it would be
only for a thousand feet or so. All the sunscreen I had applied was now dripping into my eyes, I
could barely see, and it was hard to go any slower than 25-30mph (I didn't want anyone coming up
behind me in the fog). It was becoming very cold. The rain and wind actually lasted for 4,000 feet!
It finally stopped at about 3100 feet when I got down to Sunrise Market and hooked up with L, J, and
J again. I was freezing! My woman biking friend was there, and also had been surprised by the rather
unpleasant descent. At least I got to get into a dry jersey at this point. I started down the last
2500 feet to Haiku and was very very grateful as it gradually warmed, despite the sprinkles that
fell on occasion.
I made it home, flopped on the lanai, and closed my eyes. I wasn't asleep, but I couldn't bring
myself to open them-it just felt so good lying there. L, J, and J finally made it back (they had
missed a turn and had gotten lost, and had the house key).
As far as suffering goes, the ride down was much worse than the ride up. People shouting
encouragement, especially near the top really really helped. The ride was hard, but definitely
not torture (except for the going back down part!). Would I do it again? Maybe next year when I'm
57? Maybe.
Can't wait to go back up in a couple of days (in a car!) to see the sunrise!