“Haleakala is simultaneously the longest paved continuous climb in the world as well as the shortest ascent from sea level to 10,000 feet in the world. Though not terribly steep, this is a long, grinding climb that will reduce a strong rider to a whimpering lump.”Β βVelominati
Ok we get it, long and hard climb.
Active trips are what we like.
There is only so much time we can spend on the beach doing…nothing. It feels like wasted day.
As for our trip to Maui, the first thing Michal researched were biking trails. We just canβt get used to the very short biking season in Canada. When IΒ heard about biking up aΒ volcano, which is considered the longest paved climb in the world, my feelings were mixed.
It does sound very intriguing, IΒ just wasnβt sure if IΒ felt like biking 53 km up the hill. But then imagine the long downhill…aaaah.
And we would be biking in 28Β°C on the beautiful island on aΒ VOLCANO. How cool is that?
After seeing few pictures of the volcano from the ride of other cyclists, we got pumped and couldnβt wait to get there.
We will be biking up the Haleakala volcano on Maui.
Bike shorts were the first item we packed. Number 1 thing that is absolutely necessary for aΒ long ride, anything else you can rent.
Biking up the Haleakala volcano on Maui
We were watching the weather forecast every day. No rain was the only requirement we had. This part is tricky. Every day is raining on Maui, at least during winter. But not in every part of the island. Even though it can last only few minutes, you canβt afford getting wet when biking to the high altitudes. Temperature drops drastically and getting aΒ cold or something worse is the last thing anyone on a vacation would wish for.
Starting point is a little hippie town Paβia, where most bike rentals are situated. We rented road bikes, since we would be biking on the road only. And we knew that adjusting the bike to fit our bodies is the most important thing at this point. We own mountain bikes and usually bike on dirt.
The sales associate at the rental store wasnβt very helpful. He was distracted by a Hollywood celebrity that came in just a few moments after us. I think it was Owen Wilson, but honestly, couldnβt care less if Iβm right. The clock was ticking; we had a long ride ahead of us and didnβt have time to start looking for another store. So we stocked up with energy bars and gels while waiting till every guy in the store kissed his ass and joked. Finally one guy saw us waiting impatiently and adjusted our bikes.
First, we headed to the beach. Yeah, thatβs right. We would be biking to 3055 m above sea level. Just for our fun, we had to take a shot of our feet at sea level.
Getting used to the road bike was harder than IΒ thought. Saddle felt very different, handlebars are much narrower and held vertically to the bike, as opposed to holding them horizontally on aΒ mountain bike.
After 10 km, passing an old church, fields of sugar cane, sugar mills and few local boutiques, we reached the town of Makawao. The last stop where you can fill up all the water bottles you have. Next water station is 30 km away, in Haleakala visitor centre.
There are so many switchbacks on the way up you wouldnβt believe. Too bad IΒ havenβt had aΒ clue how many, IΒ would know how many IΒ knocked off and could count each time IΒ made aΒ turn as aΒ small victory.
As soon as we turned to Haleakala Highway (the only way up), signs telling us the current altitude were painted on the road. Many of them. But the altitude wasnβt increasing fast enough. Maybe because we were having too many stops. But it was supposed to be aΒ vacation ride, not anΒ ironman paced ride.
We havenβt done aΒ long climb like this before and didnβt know how to spread our energy. Better slow and steady, than fast ending up with cramps. Our motto of the day.
We were using Strava app for recording the ride. According to Strava, there are parts of the road rated as HC climb (in french βHors categoryβ means in english βbeyond categorizationβ). Cyclists and spectators of Tour de France are familiar with this term as being incredibly difficult climb.
Around 20 km into the climb, my quads started to burn. Dammit, itβs not even half the climb. It has an average ascent of 5,5% and rarely gets above 8%. No part of the climb is very steep, but there is almost no flat or downhill sections. We were biking UP all the time.
By this time IΒ started to notice even more, that shifting gears on aΒ road bike is different as well. When Iβm tired on aΒ mountain bike, IΒ shift down aΒ gear, so IΒ can pedal more easily. Well, gears on aΒ road bike are harder. So the lowest gear was still hard to pedal on.
Thoughts about not conquering the summit already entered my mind. IΒ tried not to focus on it and kept pedaling, slowly leaving behind one switchback after the other.
Peopleβs thumbs up sticking out their carβs window were very welcomed encouragement. Slowly the views of the island started to disappear. And we were now biking above the clouds. The feeling of biking so high, above everything else, is indescribable. The summit was getting closer. So as we thought.
The higher we climbed, the harder it got. Signs of cramps started to emerge in my legs. Winds also kicked up and temperature dropped from 28Β°C to 13Β°C. IΒ was also getting low on energy bars.
By the time we reached the visitor centre 40 km from the start, we had been in the saddle for almost 6 hours. This would not make me Queen of the Mountain, the title you can gain on Strava app for being the fastest on any particular segment of the climb.
The fatigue kicked in hard and we realized the sun will set in under two hours. That is not enough time to climb to the summit and then downhill all the way back to Paβia.
At that moment, we werenβt even sad that we would not reach the top of the volcano. We were so proud of ourselves to make it all the way to the Haleakala visitor centre and were looking forward to well-deserved rest for our legs going down.
Downhill took about 1,5 hours! No pedaling required. After many hours of pedaling up the endless hill, we were enjoying aΒ ride through the clouds and cutting the switchbacks like pros. Well, almost like pros.
Paβia greeted us with a warm breeze. As soon as we hit the town and took off all the extra clothes, we found a restaurant and dived into whatever they served first.
We loved our short stay in this cool little town. There are so many things to do in Paia, and we’ll try more the next time we visit.
Totally exhausted but happy at the end of the day, we knew this extraordinary adventure will stay in our minds (and legs) forever.
Even before the downhill, we looked up to the summit, only 15 km away and said: βWe are coming for you next time. β
OUR STATS
Moving time – 5:42h
Total time – 7:30h
Elevation gained – 2186m
Total distance – 79,8km
We would love to hear from you! When was the last time you pushed beyond YOUR limits? What did you do? Let us know in the comments.
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Wow that’s pretty awesome! Have you guys biked at any other islands in Hawaii?
We’ve visited only Maui, but Kauai looks pretty amazing as well.
Amazing guys! I love my Trek road bike a lot and miss her greatly when I’m away from London. We love biking when travelling, but I’m terrified of downhill. My jaw dropped when you started talking about the nice downhill climb, then I see a photo of a road bike and wondered how on earth you’d do that on a mountain path. Then I saw the roads – and it made sense. Downhill with the road bike is lovely, but on a mountain bike on a mountain is scary as hell (for me) lol π
Downhill is always fun for me. Of course is more scary on mountain bike..you never know if you end up alive at the end π
Congratulations on a fantastic biking accomplishment. The views along the way are absolutely stunning. I’m sure the next time, you will definitely hit the summit.
Thanks! Next time definitely. We will train for it beforehand.
Bravo to you both for attempting the ascent! I’m more likely to have been one of those people in the cars giving the thumbs up. The last time I pushed myself was hiking the final kilometers up to the base of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia. Overall, the hike was fine, but that last bit was downright killer. I needed some serious peer pressure..I mean encouragement from a hiking buddy I’d met the day before, to finally claw my way up the side of the mountain.
Thumbs up for conquering the mountain in Patagonia! I don’t know why but it’s easier for me to push on a bike then while hiking π It feels so good at the end, right?
Wow my legs are burning just reading this but it would be so worth it. This is exactly the type of thing we like to do on our travels…combine sightseeing with nature, adventure and exercise. It’s challenging to stick to a fitness routine when you’re on holidays and this way is much more fun than spending an hour at the gym!
You’re right Sarah! Why would I spend time at the gym when I can do some excercise outside while seeing some beauty around me.
Wow that is one very tough ride but what an achievement from the sea to over 2000m up! I think I would love the descent but no way I would have made it up there. I don’t mind hiking uphill but for some reason on a bike I really struggle with the incline.
It’s harder on the legs on a bike. But there are more mountains you can hike up, rather than bike up π
Gosh you’re superstars to me! I recently went to north of Bali and the hotel booked us for a cycle to a waterfall – a leisurely cycle only it involved a 2h cycle and then 4km super uphill in a rocky path through the the forest – no way! I walked it instead
Aw, thanks Mar! Important is you made it to the top!
I’ve never been much of a biker, but this looks amazing! I know it’s Hawaii and all, but it’s definitely a unique way to go explore!
Our philosophy is: where others drive cars, we ride a bike instead. It gives you a different perspective on a place you are exploring.
Congrats Guys!!!
What an amazing bike ride! My husband is a triathlete and we are used to cycle, but Haleakala Volcano is a different story, those hills are damn high. But IΒ΄m sure the view and feeling of achievement overcome the pain and sore muscles! Just shared you post with my husband, IΒ΄m sure he will be inspired by you two!
Cheers,
Nat
Thanks Natalie! Your husband does some pretty tough things, too π When your body is overflown by joy, you don’t even feel sore muscles..just the day after..by then it’s all good and you are enjoying a beer on the beach.
Wow, that’s a really great adventure! How much time did it take to get down? I love cycling but since we have no hills here in Holland I can just practise at the gym, but not for 6 hours though. I once cycled up to Maroon Bells and that was about 2,5 hours up and it already made my quads burn…
It took around 1,5 h to get down..what a relief it was after so many hours of pedaling. Holland is very popular for biking. I would love to bike everywhere..to work, to the store.
Impressive! We drove up the volcano and it is steep and long. I wouldnβt even consider biking up. Well done making it all the way to the visitor centre!
(Guess I have to leave my signature so you know who is visiting)
Thanks for stopping by Inger! Next time my legs will be stronger π
When I lived on Maui in the late 80’s and 90’s there was a German architect [ 60 yrs old or so] who biked halfway up Haleakala every Sunday. I only mtn biked down from the top on dirt tracks to PoliPoli.
Wow, I would love to be able to do that when I’m 60 π
thanks for posting this, thinking about going in July but it’s been 15 years since I tackled a climb this big (Mauna Kea)!
From what I read, Mauna Kea seems to be a much harder climb. Sometimes determination is more important than training π You’ve got this! Enjoy!
Your post about biking up the Haleakala volcano is so inspiring! The mix of adventure, stunning views, and personal tips really brings the experience to life. Itβs now on my Maui bucket listβthanks for sharing such a thrilling journey!