Winter Training in Maui: The rides

You might think that cycling on an island inherently means limited ride options and terrain. Actually, Maui features a plethora of diverse choices and add-ons that dwarf the selection of any other place I’ve ever ridden. Some highlights:

West Maui Loop
Think of Maui as a head and torso. West Maui is the head and, along its north side, is surprisingly rural and rugged — think roadside donkeys and chickens. The main road on this ride is twisty, turny and very hilly, offering amazing views of the ocean below and other portions of the island. This can be an out-and-back ride, repeating the rural section, or continue the loop through Lahaina for some faster-paced riding on wide-open road. The entire loop is about 60 miles.

Haleakala Volcano
The profile says it all: 36 miles, 10,000′ of elevation gain. It’s a must-do ride that features a remarkably consistent grade for hours on end, unlike anything else in the world. Climb time ranges from three hours for the super-fit to over six, and you’ll pass through four distinct ecosystems, ending above tree line among volcanic rock in an other-worldly landscape reminiscent of Mt. Ventoux. Expect dramatic temperature change (a 30-degree drop is typical) and pack extra clothes. Check out the views, catch your breath and hold on for an hour-plus of sweet descending on great road.

Road to Hana
Undulating, hilly roads with pristine pavement wind past a lifetime’s worth of waterfalls and ocean views that will help you to forget how good a training workout you’re getting on this ride. It’s an out-and-back, so distance ranges from 50 to 90 miles. Be sure to check out the legendary Ho’okipa surf spot near the beginning. There aren’t many towns along the way, but roadside Thai food shacks and fruit and smoothie stands pop up as you get closer to Hana. This is the wet side of the island–expect warm rain or mist and lots of lushness.

Winery Ride
A great option for an easier day if you have a vehicle to shuttle, or start from your hotel for some excellent extra climbing. The road is a cyclist’s dream: smooth, playful, twisting like a ribbon and guaranteed to plaster a smile on your face. Past where you’ll u-turn, the route turns into a bumpy mess with more patches than pavement, which means there’s next-to-no through traffic. This section of the island is in Haleakala’s rain shadow; if it’s raining elsewhere, this is the place to dry out.

East Maui / Hana Loop
Definitely not for everyone, this is one of the hardest, most beautiful and rewarding rides I’ve ever done. Combine the winery ride with the return leg of the road to Hana, and link them via 20-odd miles through the desert. Remember that bumpy mess I mentioned? Well, get ready to jostle your way up and over short power climbs on roads in total disrepair, occasionally alternating with smoothly paved sections, and then some hard-packed dirt just before the town of Hana. The pay-off is entrance into a largely untouched section of the island with small beaches, some with black sand, where you can catch your wind in solitude.

This 108-mile all-day excursion will take you from arid (less than 9” of annual rain) to tropical rain forest in one epic ride. Bring lots of water for the former and a stowable light jacket for the latter. I’ve undertaken this ride on both visits to Maui–each experience changed me for the better.

Off-road option: Makawao Forest
I actually brought my cyclocross bike on this trip, so I could explore some dirt rides. The new trails in Makawao Forest alone made my decision worthwhile. I stuck to the two excellent loops of smooth, hard-packed singletrack, about 90 minutes of riding, and the ‘cross bike made riding to and from the trail, about another hour round-trip, a breeze. There are additional, more rocky and technical trails in both Makawao and Polipoli state parks better suited to a true mountain bike. - Josh Liberles

FILED UNDER: Road TAGS: Hawaii / Maui