I did it a bit over a month ago. It’s a beautiful ride, quite amazing, the changes in terrain, definitely soak it up.
I’m also a sea-level guy. I went really slow, Z1, basically. Rode with my son, who is a bit out of shape. I hired Don, Maui Cyclery, for a support vehicle. I didn’t know the area, and didn’t want to deal with stuff. Very fortunate that I did, as I consumed so much fluid and nutrition, it was nuts.
I burned about 4000cal, no way I could carry enough gels for that, in pockets, would need around 20+ gels. Even with the support vehicle, I ran out of water (support stopped just before the park), and had to hit the rest stop for fluids. It’s remarkably arid at the top.
I also had a problem at about 7000ft. I got a massive headache, it was insane and very hard to focus, felt like my head was going to explode. Upon talking to friends after the ride, they said it was the start of elevation sickness. My son thinks it was dehydration, but it could have been both. That said, the way down, the headache went away.
I think if I went harder, would have been better, but felt great the next day, so definitely wasn’t pushing too hard. It’s still a ton of calories though.
Another tip, sunblock, and reapply. It was nasty above the clouds, very strong sun, especially at 10,000ft. I got burned like you would not believe…and I’m already tanned from riding in CA sun. I came back a about 10 shades darker on some parts, and red on others. My face had bad tan lines from my helmet straps and sunglasses.
You will need credit to enter Haleakala National Park. Save the ticket, as it allows re-entry for 3 days, and you may want to hike the other side.
The descent, OMG, so awesome. Pinned it all the way. Massive cross-winds at the top though, tucked way down to be one with the bike and ripped every corner at 40+mph, a bit slick with rain in the clouds, but good otherwise.
Jacket for the top, definitely, it gets wicked cold and windy. But, on the way down, it warms up so fast, as the elevation drop is rapid.
Watch out for the stupid downhillers. Alot of newbies, that lose control. One lost it and almost went head-on into our support vehicle. Talking to Don after, few people die on that road because they don’t know what they are doing and get over their heads, and also give bikers a bad name with massive groups of people that don’t share the road. Those downhill shuttle companies give bikes with knobbies. Anyone who rides seriously knows that knobbies squirm on tarmac at high speeds. It’s just the nature of the g-forces, and slicks are better. Even fat touring tires are better than MTB knobbies. Just watch out those guys don’t slide into you, stay as far right, away from them, if you see them coming.
I never did a ride of that altitude gain before, so that was a rude awakening. I do climbs around 5500-6000ft, and do go to Tahoe for riding (but always have trouble up there). Don said the elevation gets, pretty much, everyone he goes with, in some form. It takes time to be familiar with what you’re getting into.
I rented a bike from Maui Cyclery (part of the package), got a Pinarello Grevil with GRX 2x11 Di2. I think it was a 46/30 crankset, it was good. All in all, I’m glad I hired, it took the stress of planning the ride out of my hands, and I just had fun. I brought my Garmin and Assioma DUO, and a kit, shoes, skullcap, and gloves. It was self-fit, so measured my bike before going, was good to go and close enough.
