speechlesstraveler
Sep 2021
After having read a wide spectrum of reviews, my husband and I (in our mid 30s) decided to complete this Morning Bike Ride Group Guided Tour with Bike Maui, and we are so glad we did! It was our favorite thing to do in Maui, but we didn't have any least favorites... after all, it is Maui!
A few disclaimers: My husband and I began biking once a week about 1 month prior to this trip purposefully to prepare, 5 -10 miles in our neighborhood park, and I have had road bike experience over the last 10 years and have completed day-long or 2 day bike rides; so being comfortable on the bike, understanding how to change gears, and braking, and the general knowledge of road safety is a necessity. If you haven't been on a bike in years (like one guy in my group said he hadn't been on one in 20 years), I would NOT recommend this ride, no matter how beautiful the views are, because inexperience increases your risk SIGNIFICANTLY.
The bus tour up the Volcano to Haleakala National Park and the crater was very well guided; Dan was our driver/guide. He took our group of about 10 people to great photo sites, and was very friendly, upbeat, and funny. He was very knowledgable and shared great stories about the area.
The bike ride: I forgot our guide's name, but he was really great! He lead and paced the front and there was a van blocking traffic in the back who would radio the leader when they needed to have us pull aside and let cars pass. This is the main reason I would never do a "self-guided" bike ride, since you have no control of the traffic. I am glad we did the guided group ride. They go over the bike rules and safety on the van ride up and also prior to getting on the bikes. They do a really great job. But YOU are the rider and you need to pay attention the entire ride. I rode the brakes practically 95% of the ride, and it was still so fun. Keep your distance behind the next cycler.
As for the tips comments; I always come on vacation prepared to tip those that work in the service industry and provide a great service; especially this being a hard year for the tourism industry; the tour is a service; and our guides earn much of their income on tips. If you have a problem with tipping; then don't tip as much. It's not required.
If I ever make it back to Maui, this is a must-do activity again!