Originally I followed the advice of the internet and had booked for my first full day in Maui since I was coming from the East Coast. Unfortunately, not one hour after I landed I got a phone call that my tour had been cancelled for the next morning due to rain and they wouldn't be able to fit me in anywhere. I was bummed so I rechecked online. Originally I was signed up for the guided tour, but I'm a frequent biker and have done some long distances so figured I'd check the self guided tour. And luckily there was one open spot on my LAST day in Maui!
I'm so grateful my first tour got cancelled. If you love biking I definitely recommend the self guided tour. You go pretty quickly and if you're on your own you get to make more stops to your leisure.
Now, I wound up making a wrong turn. Or rather, no turn at all. I stopped at the highly recommended donut shop and didn't realize that was also where I was supposed to turn so I kept on going! Luckily I realized towards the end that 1) I went the wrong way and 2) it was the route of the guided tour. So figured I'd just stay put until I ran into them, which a few minutes later I did! They were so wonderful and helpful and helped make sure I got picked up to be taken back to the hotel. No harm done.
I should say that the guide gives a looooooong intro going over all of the stops and turns so you don't wind up doing what I did so it is not their fault. It is tough to remember when you're hearing the instructions at 2 in the morning and it's pitch black out. But they also give you a map, which you can scan a QR code with to link to your phone's map too. I really had no excuse. I just assumed I was supposed to keep going and I kept looking for what was supposed to be a right hand turn next and it just never came! I blame all that oxygen at the top of the volcano!
Also, watching the sun rise over the volcano is unlike anything I ever experienced. It is cold up there, so yes please bring layers. Bike Maui does provide a fleece vest, rain jacket, and gloves if you like. But depending on what you're used to, that might not be enough. The only downside is there is just so many people up there, and not everyone is looking to have a peaceful moment with nature. Some people just need to talk constantly so it can ruin your ideal situation of such a moment, but no fault of anyone. I'n just a grumpy NYCer who was looking forward to some peace in nature :)