Biking Maui?

[ebrandel]

Going to be in Hawaii over Thanksgiving this year and was reading about some biking opportunities. I'm sure we'll be doing the standard "bike down the volcano without ever pedaling" bit, but I'd like to hit some dirt too. Was just reading the following:

Mountain bikers will gravitate to the Poli-Poli/Kula Forest Reserve at 7,000 feet, where single-track trails for riders of all abilities take you through redwood and eucalyptus forests and gulches erupting with ferns. Trails are maintained by the Maui Mountain Bike Club; for maps, send an SASE to the club at Box 689, Makawao, HI 96768. GT mountain bikes go for $15 a day or $80 a week, helmet included, from The Bike Shop.

So, that sounds interesting, but it was written in 1995. I'm going to send off for the maps, but I haven't found a web site for the Maui Mountain Bike club, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever biked in the area? Good/bad? And whether or not "all abilities" really means "all abilities". I plan on taking my wife biking as well.

[steef]

A friend of mine lives on the Big Island and he says the lava flows rip tires to shreds pretty easily so avoid riding on that terrain. I imagine it would also be real nasty to bail on.

[gordanfreeman]

those trails described in that quote sound very similar to the hawaiian singletrack filmed in 'the collective' (in fact they may be the same place ?)

[Magic]

Just google "bike shops in Maui". You can call ahead and talk with them. When I was there in 1995, there wasn't much. But that has all changed since then. I can't remember which shop I dealt with, but the owner let me ride his bike for the day for real cheap. One thing that amazed me the most is how much the red volcanic dust get's into everything. The owner of the bike I used said that he does a complete tear down every two weeks to clean it all out. The red dust is far more abrasive than the dirt we ride in here.

[shourtt]

I was in Maui during the winter and we did the bike down the mountain thing, mountain style. The back side of the volcano has a trail that contains single track, old fire roads, jumps and some where I did not find had skinnies and other fun stuff. It was a riot and loads of fun.

You descend almost the same vertical as the road, but traveling a much shorter distance. The trail has tight single track, wide dirt, and sections that are a sea of rocks. Plus there was no one on the trail. We saw only two other people the whole day of riding.

I recommend wearing some protection if you descend from the top of the mountain. Lava rock is sharp.

We rented bikes from Crater Cycle
http://www.cratercycleshawaii.homestead.com/

The bike were well maintained, but the gear was a little ill fitting. I would bring my own gear next time.

A few images from the ride


http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2708
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2707
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2706
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2705