Where to Go Mountain Biking on Maui? Makawao Forest Reserve Trail

The Makawao Forest mountain bike trail map.

One of our favorite places to recommend for a cool mountain bike ride on Maui is the Makawao Forest Reserve. Less than an hour away from West Maui or the resorts in South Maui, bike riders will find plenty of single track trails running through the protected Makawao Forest Reserve located on the mid slopes of Haleakala in upcountry Maui. Situated in the midst of one of the many rain forests on Maui, riders will want to stay alert for slicked trail sections lurking in the shadows even on dry days. Mountain bike riders of all abilities will find a trail to ride in the Makawao forest! Depending on the trails you choose to ride, highly technical riders and weekend warriors alike will have a great time riding the mountain bike trails in the Makawao Forest Reserve.

Earlier this year, Heather Irmiger, a professional mountain biker, took a ride on the bike trails in the Makawao Forest and shared a video of her ride. Take a look at the short, 1 minute and 2 second bike ride video and then keep reading for more information about biking in the Makawao Forest Reserve or renting a mountain bike on Maui:

Thanks to Heather Irmiger for sharing her Makawao Forest mountain bike ride video! You don’t have to be a pro mountain bike rider like Heather to have fun on the trails in the Makawao Forest Reserve.

Full suspension mountain bike rental on Maui by Specialized bicycles.

What do you think? Ready for mountain biking on Maui? You say you planning on going cycling in Hawaii for warm weather and you don’t want to ride in cool upcountry weather of Maui? That’s ok. There are plenty of mountain bike trails to ride in West Maui, too. Join our Sunday afternoon group mountain bike ride to explore a few mountain biking options in West Maui. Regardless of the trails on Maui you decide to ride, West Maui Cycles offers several options for mountain bike rentals. From our full suspension Stumpy FSR Comp 26’ model or the 29’er FSR Comp to our Stumpjumper HT 29’er or Cannondale Hybrid mountain bike rental, we have a bike rental for you!

Already got your bike rental and just looking for all the information you can get about mountain biking on Maui? Use the following links for a Makawao Forest Trail Map and a few of our past bike blog write-ups describing the bike trails in the Makawao Forest Reserve: A fun 8x video of a rider taking the East Loop up and then riding back down the West Loop or this one explaining what to expect when you go mountain biking in the Makawao Forest Reserve. If you are staying in one of the West Maui resorts, you may want to map out the trek from Makawao Forest over to a few more trails to explore during an upcountry mountain biking session, including the bike trails in Poli Poli State Park! Only about 45 minutes from West Maui, if you only have one day to go mountain biking in upcountry Maui, we recommend arriving early enough to ride Makawao Forest in the morning. Then, plan to ride on the Poli Poli mountain bike trails in the afternoon. Pack your favorite carbs or grab a sandwich for lunch at Grandmas or a hot stone oven baked pizza at the Kula Lodge. After lunch, head a little further upcountry to enjoy the afternoon mountain biking in Poli Poli state park before returning to Lahaina in time to watch the sunset from West Maui. What a fun day of mountain bike riding on Maui!

Reserve Maui mountain bike rental by Specialized from West Maui Cycles in Lahaina

Still have questions about mountain biking on Maui? Use the comments section below or just stop by our Lahaina bike shop to talk story about biking on Maui! Or, make a reservation for a mountain bike rental on Maui now:

Where Do I Find Maui Bike Rides? Maui Bicycle Ride Resources

Maui bike ride information.

We get calls and emails to our Maui bike shop almost daily asking for the best Maui bike rides and if bike helmets or if lights and reflectors are required. I've compiled information below to help visiting cyclists choose their favorite Maui bike ride and answer those questions.

Though no longer available in print, one of our favorite Maui bike ride maps is the county map. The Maui bike map displays ride information with elevation, grade, distance and even wind information to help you select the best rides for your Maui cycling vacation. Maui mountain bike trail maps and road bike ride map links are available on our Maui Bicycle Ride Information page.

From Bike Plan Hawaii, interactive Flash based maps display Maui bike rides in 4 quadrants. Each map displays a ‘Bikeway Type’ portraying the Maui bike route as ‘Existing’, ‘Underway’, ‘Proposed’ along with a route number. When the route number is hovered over, the route is highlighted on the interactive Maui bike map and information is displayed about the bike ride such as the type of route, an estimated cost to build, the length and the construction phase the bike route is slated to be built in. Each bike route is also color coded as a ‘bike path’, ‘bike lane’, or ‘signed shared roadway’. Other than general Maui bike ride information, distance is probably the most useful feature of these maps of Maui bike rides. Try it here:

http://hawaii.gov/vid_temp/dot/bike/bikeplan/maps/maui.html(you’ll need a flash player to use the interactive Maui road bike maps)

Regarding Hawaii bicycle laws requiring lights, reflectors and bike helmets, I checked with officials at Maui County and the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT):

Juveniles, under the age of 16 years old, MUST wear helmets while riding a bicycle in the state of Hawaii. Helmets are recommend for adults at all times but are not mandatory. Bicycle lights and bike reflectors are required by law at night including 30 minutes before and after sunset or sunrise. All bicycle rentals from West Maui Cycles in Lahaina includes a bicycle helmet and locks. Our full service Maui bike shop also stocks bicycle helmets available for purchase.

The Hawaii DOT publishes the ‘Rights and Responsibilities for Hawaii Bicyclists:

Hawaii DOT Rights and Responsibilities of Hawaii Bike Riders"

HI DOT Bicycle rights responsibilities bike laws Maui pg2

The Hawaii DOT publishes the ‘Rights and Responsibilities for Hawaii Bicyclists’:

HI DOT Bicycle rights responsibilities bike laws Maui pg3

Bike rights and responsponsibility for Maui and other Hawaii cyclists

Ready to rent a bike on Maui? Select a bike from our Maui bike rental inventory, specify your bike rental dates and provide details. Your Maui bike rental will be available and ready for you to being enjoying during your Maui bicycle vacation.

reserve-your-bike-now

Subscribe to our Maui bike blog to keep with the latest Maui bike rides and bicycle information!

The Best 4 Reasons to Rent a Beach Cruiser Bike On Maui

Ladies Electra bike rental available at West Maui Cycles in Lahaina

Excitement is building with each passing day as the holidays quickly approach. In the midst of our usual tropical weather, the smell of pine from holiday trees is in the air and holiday shopping for new bikes is in full swing. With vacations to Maui booked and travel logistics out of the way, holiday travelers are choosing their vacation activities. Beyond snorkeling in the tranquil warm tropical waters teaming with colorful fish, bookings are already arriving for bike rentals during and after the holidays. Email messages and phone call questions about biking on Maui range from interest in the best road bike rides on Maui to finding out if there are any mountain bike trails in West Maui. Others seeking more leisurely ways to explore are making reservations for a beach cruiser bike rental on Maui. Read the 4 reasons to rent an Electra cruiser bike on Maui:

Beach access bike ride map from Olowalu Petroglyph to Kapalua in West Maui Hawaii.

• Bicycle Rentals Provide Affordable Transportation on Maui – Electra Cruiser bike rentals, at a daily rate of $15. ($60. weekly) is our lowest cost bicycle rental. With the average Maui car rental cost above $50. a day and limited public transportation options available, renting a bike on Maui is a great way to save money while experiencing Maui on a closer level.
• Skip the Traffic by Renting a Bike on Maui – The roads on Maui are always busier during the holidays. Skip the traffic and enjoy riding a beach cruiser on Maui. Staying in Kaanapali or another West Maui rental property? With more than 20 miles of West Maui beaches accessible by bicycle between Kapalau and the Olowalu Petroglyph, what could be better than discovering a secret beach while out exploring on a cruiser bike rental in Kahana or Napili?
• Easier Holiday Shopping on Maui – Not only will you have a great time riding your beach cruiser to go shopping in Lahaina, after you pick up gifts getting them back to your condo rental or hotel will be easy: All of our ladies Electra cruiser bike rentals are outfitted with bicycle baskets! If shopping includes a holiday gift for a cyclist, remember to leave time to shop when pick up or drop off your bike rentals. Take a look at all of the cycling gear, bike jerseys, water bottles, hats and other bike gear emblazoned with our West Maui Cycles bike logo!
• More Fun to Watch the Whales Bike Riding - No, the whales do not ride bicycles! Instead, it is more fun and easier to stop to watch the whales when you are riding a bicycle. Though serious bike enthusiasts zipping along on one of our high performance road bike rental by Specialized or attempting to rein in Haleakala (the volcano bike ride!) on a mountain bike are willing to miss the best whale breach of the season, you won't from a cruiser bike. Imagine heading out from your resort accommodations in Kaanapali, cruising north along the level Lower Honoapiilani road in Honokowai on a bike will seem effortless! You'll find plenty of opportunity to quickly stop your bike to enjoy watching the whales frolic and play! Maui whale watching season is between Nov through April.

West Maui Cycles bike shop in Lahaina is the only authorized Electra bicycle dealer on Maui. We are proud of earning the right to sell and service Electra bikes on Maui.

Where Can I Rent A Bicycle Built for Two on Maui?

Red Electra Hellbetty tandem bike rental in Maui.

Will the Red Electra Hellbetty Tandem Beach Cruiser be available for rent when I’m on Maui? Check the bike rental reservations calendar. What couple wouldn’t want to look back at their wedding photos 20 years from now remembering the romantic adventures spent honeymooning and riding a rental tandem on Maui together! For $30. a day, rent the red Electra Hellbetty Tandem for your Maui wedding day photo shoot.

Along with Electra bike beach cruisers, our bicycle shop in Lahaina offers one of the largest fleet of bike rentals in Hawaii! All of our road bikes, cruisers, tandems and mountain bike rentals are maintained by our professional bike technicians. Bicycle rentals are available daily, multi day, weekly or longer. Walk ins are always welcome! To ensure a specific bike rental style and size is available, our bike rentals may be reserved in advance using our easy to use online bicycle reservations system. Or, call us at (808)661-9005. Already on Maui, use this map to our Lahaina bicycle shop in West Maui.

Ready to reserve a bike rental for an upcoming cycle vacation on Maui?

Maui bicycle rental reservation

Early Birds Going After the Same Worm Mountain Bike Video

My head is still brimming with all the info about the new bikes and bike gear after returning from the Specialized bicycle dealers preview event in Utah last week. Specialized is certainly not resting on laurels when it comes to mountain biking innovation on their StumpJumper mountain bikes! While the Specialized StumpJumper has already enjoyed 30 years as a leading mountain bike, Specialized continues buildling upon the rich history with the latest mountain bike technology. Our performance mountain bike rentals include the full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and the Specialized StumpJumper Comp 29'er Hardtail. For 2013, Specialized kept to their StumpJumper mountain bike traditions by introducing new bikes and including innovative enhancements to the existing models!

Specialized made almost every model of their StumpJumper mountain bike available for the dealers to get acquainted with and experience demo rides during heir annual bike dealer event at Snowbird. There were plenty of Specialized StumpJumper Expert Carbon mountain bikes on hand, some equipped with 26 in wheels. Thats right, one of the options some riders will need to decide is whether to buy their bike equipped with 29 inch wheels or use the 26 inch wheels. That could be a tough choice to make! Either way, if you are thinking about buying a mountain bike, you couldn’t make a better decision than buying a Specialized mountain bike!

To help you decide on your wheel size and get aquainted with the StumpJumper FSR, check out the Specialized bike video where team riders Brad ‘The Hair’ Benedict climbs aboard a 2013 Specialized StumpJumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO 29 and Curtis ‘The American Dream’ Keene takes a mountain bike ride aboard the 2013 Specialized StumpJumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO 26. As you’ll see in this fun short 3 min 30 sec video, both riders are early birds out to catch the same worm:

Thanks to VitalMTBVideos for creating the awesome mountain bike video!

Whats the verdict? Do you think you would prefer a bike ride down Haleakala skyline trail on a StumpJumper equipped with 26 in wheels or 29 in wheels? Use the comments below to share your preference. Either way, head over to West Maui Cycles Lahaina bike shop for insightful bicycle buying advice and tips to help make an informed bicycle purchase decision. Being a Specialized bike dealer and equipped with the latest info from the Specialized bike event puts our Lahaina bike shop in the unique position of being able to offer you the best bicycle sales on Maui. And our course, our bike shop offers bike repairs and maintenance services along with Maui cycling gear. Our Maui bicycle rentals fleet includes mountain bikes, performance road bikes, hybrids and cruiser bike rentals! What could be better than figuring out your bike buying decisions while riding bikes on a Maui cycling vacation! Hit the link below to make a Maui bike rental reservation:

The 2012 Olympic Vids of Mountain Bike Trail Course from Maui Bikes

Mountain Biking on Maui or the Olympics in England?

The 2012 Olympics includes numerous bicycling events, including track riding at the velodrome and the mountain bike course at Hadleigh Farms in England. If you are curious about the progress and scenery for these events, check out the videos below and let us know what you think. We'll be watching all the 2012 Olympic bicycle events from our bike shop in Lahaina.

The Velodrome is nearly ready. Watch this time lapse video of the velodrome being constructed:

And a Video of the 2012 MTB Olympic Course at Hadleigh Farm in England:

In July of 2011, a test run of the Olympic MTB course was ran, here is a video from the event:

Did those videos get you in the mood to ride this winter? Maui offers the perfect perfect weather and a variety of bicycle riding opportunities ranging from extreme mountain biking trails on the slopes of Haleakala, road bike riding the West Maui Loop and rides to Olowalu petroglyphs, or cruise Lahaina Town in style on an Electra cruiser bike. West Maui Cycles can set you up with whatever type of bike rental in Maui you are looking for.

Not going to the 2012 Olympics in England but interested in bicycle vacations on Maui instead? Not sure of the riding conditions for performance road bike riding on Maui or where the best mountain bike trails on Maui. Let us know your style of riding and abilities and we'll suggest rides on Maui matching your preferences. Then, if you aren't shipping your own bike to Maui, we'll help you rent a bike to match.

Leave questions in the comments section below or subscribe to our blog for the latest Maui bike information.

Maui Mountain Bike Rides in the Makawao Forest Reserve

Maui mountain bike riding trails in West Maui and on the slopes of Haleakala.

Do you have a Hawaii cycling vacation planned with an intinerary including Maui mountain biking? Are you already counting the days till you'll be experiencing thrilling Maui volcano bike ride adventures? Looking for more Maui mountain bike trails? Though we love mountain bike riding near our West Maui bike shop in Lahaina, the Makawao Forest Reserve mtb trails provide a fun alternative for those wanting to enjoy mountain bike riding on the slopes of Haleakala.

For a glimpse of the fun you'll have mountain biking in Makawao Forest Reserve, watch a couple Maui mountain bike videos from a rider using a GoPro cam attached to his bike helmet. The GoPro captured the riders experience mountain biking on the Makawao Forest Reserve mountain bike trails in a two part mtb video series. The first 4:22 min video shows the ride on the Makawao Forest West loop mtb trail and is followed by a second vid picking up where the first left off:

In the second part of the Makawao Forest Reserve mountain bike trails vid, the ride continues:

West Maui cycles bike rental fleet includes a variety of Maui mountain bike rentals, including  the high performance Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Mountain Bike Rental and the Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail 29'er Comp Mountain Bike Rental. If you rent a mountain bike for the Makawao Forest Reserve trails, you'll probably want to ride the trails in Poli Poli state park or go mountain bike riding Haleakala.

Ready for Maui mountain biking advenure? Don't hassle shipping your own bike to Maui! Pick a bike from our bike rental fleet and then reserve your high performance moutain bike rental on Maui:

reserve-your-bike-now

Have you already experienced Maui mountain biking and captured your rides on video? We'd love to share your Maui mountain bike ride vids with readers of our Maui bike blog! Leave a comment below or drop an email to let us know where to find your video. Don't forget to subscribe to our Maui bicycle blog for the latest Maui biking updates!

A New Bike Rental on Maui? Specialized Turbo eBike

The beautiful new Specialized Turbo Electric Bike.

Specialized announced their newest eBike yesterday, on March 28, 2012. Though it may not be available in the US market (too fast) just yet, the new Specialized Turbo eBike is simply an example of the latest state of the art electric bicycle technology available! Even if you aren't into eBikes, the Specialized Turbo electric bike may change your mind and make you reconsider if an eBike should be in your future!

This bike would be perfect for riding from Wailea or Kehei to Kapalua. Or, for a fast bike ride on the Pali from Lahaina to Maalea. I think it would be a blast to ride this on the Lahaina to Olowalu petroglyph bike ride. Though, I'm not certain how well the Turbo electric bike tires would perform on the off road section portion of the petroglyph ride.

Specialized turbo electric bike pic

We've captured a few images of the new Specialzed Turbo eBike and summarized the specs below. Someday, perhaps the Specialized Turbo eBike will for sale at our Lahaina bike shop or included in our Maui bike rental fleet! Wouldn't this be a great ride for commuting by bicycle on Maui?

Watch this Specialized Turbo eBike video and then review the Specialized Turbo eBike tech specs following the videos:

Specialized Europe Urban Bikes Product Manager Discusses How Specialized Designed the bike:

Check out these details and then read on for more Turbo eBike 'Technical Bike Specs':

• Incredibly burly yet sleek and racy alloy frame with performance geo designed for high-speed riding with tapered head tube, fully-integrated down tube battery, internal routing, thru-axle dropouts and full fender/rack mounts.
• Over sized alloy fork with tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/2" steerer and Q15 thru-axle dropout is strong and responsive—even at 45kph.
• Magura MT Carbon hydraulic brakes with carbon levers/clamps and 180mm rotors provide huge braking power and great modulation; provide regenerative charge to battery when engaged.
• Direct Drive rear hub motor provides uber efficient power directly where it counts—at the rear wheel—for maximum push and efficiency at both full Turbo speed and on slow hill climbs.
• Wireless interface unit with illuminated display to show assist level, battery status, light on/off switch as well as normal bike computer features like speed, time and distance. Illuminated grip remote switch to adjust power level.
• Finest quality Li-Ion battery, optimized for our specific motor, pulls maximum power from each cell for outstanding performance and highest efficiency; 342Wh capacity, specific internal cooling system, superfast charging times.

Specialized Turbo electric bike images.

Specialized Turbo Electric Bike Technical Specs:

The Specialized Turbo ebike front fork and disc brake system for stopping power!

• Frame: Turbo alloy, smooth welding, fully-integrated down tube battery, internal cable routing, 700c, tapered HT, X12 thru-axle dropout, full fender/rack mounts.
• Fork: Turbo custom alloy fork, tapered steerer, Q15 axle dropout, fender eyelets and lowrider mounts
• Headset: 1-1/8" Campy style upper cartridge bearing, 1-1/2" lower integrated.
• Stem: Crankbrothers Cobalt, alloy, custom polished ano black
• Handlebars: Flat top riser bar, alloy, 680mm wide, oversized 31.8mm, polished black finish
• Grips: BG XCT lock-on grip, integrated right side remote
• Front Brake: Magura MT Carbon hydraulic disc, one piece forged caliper, 180mm Storm rotor
• Rear Brake: Magura MT Carbon hydraulic disc, one piece forged caliper, 180mm Storm rotor, integrated Switch to activate regenerative braking
• Brake Levers: Magura MT Carbon hydraulic disc, carbon 2-finger levers, carbon clamp, right side rear plate for shift mix, reach adjust.
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM X0, 10-speed, long cage
• Shift Levers: SRAM DoubleTap flat bar trigger, 10-speed (right side only), direct mount to shift mix
• Cassette: SRAM PG 1030, 10-speed, 11-36, black finish
• Chain: KMC X10 NP/vivid black
• Crankset: FSA Gossamer Turbo BB30, alloy, 1x10, 110mm BCD, 386 Mega Evo BB, 4mm carbon guard, includes BB tool
• Chainrings: Bottom Bracket. FSA 386 Mega Evo outer-style
• Pedals: SBC-10 Platform pedals, 9/16" axle, SC bearing/bushing system
• Rims: Jalco DD32, 622x26c, double-wall alloy disc, non-eyelet, 36-hole
• Front Hub: Formula SP9177, alloy bolt-on disc, 15mm thru-axle, hi-low machined flange, 36-hole
• Spokes:
• Front: DT Champion stainless steel, 2,0mm; Rear: DT Alpine, stainless steel, 2.34/2.0mm
• Front Tire: Specialized Electrak, 700x45c,wire bead, Armadillo protection, 60TPI
• Rear Tire: Specialized Electrak, 700x45c,wire bead, Armadillo protection, 60TPI
• Inner Tubes: Kenda PV 32, presta
• Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Targa Pro, 155mm, carbon rails
• Seat Post: Specialized Turbo, carbon, special clamping hardware for carbon rails, 30,9mm, 400mm
• Seat Binder: JD seat clamp, anodized black
• User Interface/Remote: Turbo wireless user interface, illuminated display, wireless remote thumb control, integrated grip mount
• Battery: Turbo Integrated down tube battery, self-locking key release, on-board or outside bike charge capable, LED power indicators, start up diagnostic feature, magnetic connectors, 432 Wh capacity
• Charger: SBC Turbo quick-charge, magnetic connectors, top-view LED indicator, custom fanless design for total silence, 2 hours for full charge

See more specs and details on the Specialized Turbo site.

Would you buy the Specialized Turbo eBike? Would you rent it on Maui if we included it in our rental fleet? Use the comments section below to let us know your thoughts on electric bikes and on the new Specialized Turbo eBike.

Headed to Maui for a Bike Vacation. Be sure to subscribe to our Maui Bicycling blog or reserve a Maui bike rental from West Maui Cycles:

Rent an Electric Bike on Maui?

The Best Maui Road Bike Rides - The West Maui Loop

Performance road bike rentals include the Specialized Roubaix Carbon Fiber road bike.

Just behind the 10,000 foot climb on the ride up Haleakala, one of the most popular road bike rides on Maui is the West Maui Loop! With the exception of short sections of riding in central Maui and through Lahaina, the entire bike ride hugs the shoreline around the western section of Maui. Unless you are up for riding a bike to Hana, the West Maui Loop is without a doubt one of the most scenic bike rides on Maui. If you like riding performance road bikes and are looking for a different way to see more of Maui, the West Maui Loop is a great ride for you! Stunning scenery awaits at every turn as you ride this mostly two lane paved road going round West Maui. This often overlooked route along the Northwest coasts of Maui is typically not heavily traveled by visitors. Sort of like riding to Hana without the rain forest. And with Mr. Steepy, even the most seasoned bike rider will find challenges along the way.

4 Common Questions about the West Maui Loop Bike Ride

1. What is the distance of the West Maui Loop bike route? Depending on where you start and where you end, the West Maui Loop bike ride is approximately 65 miles (104 km) if you ride the entire loop. If you don’t care about completing the whole loop and want to miss the traffic from Wailuku to West Maui, start the bike ride in Lahaina and arrange for a ride in central Maui. Doing so could cut the ride distance in half.
2. What is the Elevation Gain on the West Maui Loop bike ride? Almost 5 Thousand feet elevation gain at Mr. Steepy.
3. Should I ride counterclockwise or clockwise? Both directions have advantages and are fun Maui bike rides. If you ride clockwise early in the morning and begin the ride in Lahaina, you’ll likely experience the least amount of headwinds on the West Maui Loop ride and finish before early afternoon. Riding clockwise also provides the most downhill bike riding, although the uphill sections of Mr. Steepy are also steepest on the clockwise ride. Riding counterclockwise puts you in the ocean side lane of the road.
4. When is the best time of day to ride the West Maui Loop? With trade winds common in the afternoons on Maui, you’ll want to ride in the morning or at least get past the northern parts early. If are riding clockwise around West Maui, we recommend beginning your ride early in the morning and finishing early afternoon when the sun will be warmer and trades may begin to pick up. If riding counter clockwise on the ocean side of the road around West Maui, the trades will be at your back on the Northernmost part of the loop but you'll probably finish the ride going into wind. If finishing in Kahului or other central parts of Maui, expect strong head winds later in the day.

Maui bicycle ride map for the West Maui Loop bike route.

West Maui Cycles bike shop in Lahaina features performance road bike rentals in all sizes including the Specialized Roubaix Compact SRAM Rival Carbon Fiber bicycles. Take a look at the specs on the Specialized Roubaix road bike rentals. Or, give the bike shop a call at (808)661-9005 if you have questions about renting a bike on Maui.

All bicycle rentals from West Maui Cycles include a helmet and lock. Our full suspension mountain bike rentals and performance road bike rentals include a tire repair pack and pump. Pedal changes available for performance road bikes and full suspension mountain bike rentals.

Check out a few bike route maps for the West Maui Loop bike ride and watch a bike video from a Maui visitor posted on YouTube last week:

Did you ride the West Maui Loop during a cycling vacation on Maui? Share your experience in the comments below or on our Facebook page. Let us know if you rode counter clockwise or clockwise and where you started or ended the ride. Ready to make reservation for a Maui performance road bike rental from West Maui Cycles in Lahaina? Reserve a Specialized Performance Road Bike on Maui:

All bicycle rentals from West Maui Cycles include a helmet and lock. Our full suspension mountain bike rentals and performance road bike rentals include a tire repair pack and pump. Pedal changes available for performance road bikes and full suspension mountain bike rentals.

Check out a few bike route maps for the West Maui Loop bike ride and watch a bike video from a Maui visitor posted on YouTube last week:

Did you ride the West Maui Loop during a cycling vacation on Maui? Share your experience in the comments below or on our Facebook page. Let us know if you rode counter clockwise or clockwise and where you started or ended the ride. Ready to make reservation for a Maui performance road bike rental from West Maui Cycles in Lahaina? Reserve a Specialized Performance Road Bike on Maui:

Make a Maui Bike Rental Reservation

What to Expect Mountain Biking on Maui in the Makawao Forest Reserve

Maui mountain bike trails like this one above Kaanapali resort.

Making plans for a winter vacation in Hawaii and curious about the kind of mountain biking trails available for riding on Maui? Of course you'll want to relax enjoying the many beautiful beaches and year round summer weather! You've already booked the kids on the your sunrise crater tour with a bike ride down the volcano. Now, you are thinking you love mountain biking and would really like to bike on Maui. You'll find every type of Maui mountain biking available for all types of riders and skill levels. For example, while the mountain bike trails in the Makawao Forest are fun for beginners, experienced riders will find challenging terrain with single tracks and plenty of hills for jumping. Located between the 3000 to 3600 ft elevation on slopes of Haleakala, mountain biking the Makawao Forest Reserve is a great way to cool off and experience a different geography of Maui.

The terrain available for mountain biking combined with the many different micro climates afford some of the most diverse bike riding conditions found anywhere on the planet. From the gritty volcanic cinder crusted single track mountain bike trails at the top of the Haleakala Skyline trails to the eucalyptus forests of Polipoli or the upcountry feel of the Makawao Forest reserve, you won't be disappointed choosing a Maui mountain bike vacation.Watch a short mountain bike video of a ride through the Makawao Forest Reserve:

Special Thanks for the bike video go to Gregg Mayer and his riding dog Maverick.

makawao forest mountain bike maui terrain map

Bike video got you excited to go mountain biking on Maui? Wondering what other mountain biking trail on Maui you could ride? Take a look at the Makawoa forest reserve bike trails or the Polipoli state park mountain bike trails. If you are up for a longer downhill mountain bike ride on Haleakala, try the Skyline trail. You can read another rider's description of their mountain bike ride down the Haleakala Skyline trail here! And of course we have a Haleakala mountain bike trail map AND trail maps for Polipoli! We'll give you advice about the latest bike ride news and provide easy driving directions from our bike shop to the bike trails on Maui! From the west Maui resorts of Kaanapali to Kahana, bike trails on Haleakala are less than 45 minutes away and you'll love the rural scenery of upcountry Maui.

Interested in cycling on Maui but mountain biking is not your thing? Road cyclists love riding on the uncrowded roads on Maui. Like mountain biking on Maui, road bike riding on Maui includes everything from the ultimate challenge of cycling up the steepest longest paved road on the planet to beautiful long rides along the roads hugging the shore and coast circumventing the island. Watch the bike video and read about the The West Maui Loop, and 'Mr Steepy', a scenic and challenging Maui road bike ride around West Maui with spectacular views!

West Maui Cycles is a full service bicycle shop in Lahaina, Maui. We offer a fleet of Specialized high performance road bike rentals and mountain bikes. Or, kick back cruisng to the beach on an Electra cruiser bike rental! Visit the bike shop for bike ride info and tips or to talk story about Maui biking!

Reserve a Maui Bicycle Rental NOW!

Visit West Maui Cycles bike shop in Lahaina for the latest high performance mountain bike rentals on Maui!

A Fun Performance Road Bike Ride, the West Maui Loop Revisited

An image of the West Maui Loop bike route."

Cyclists visiting Maui seeking road rides beyond the Road to Hana or the 10K foot climb up Haleakala are always happy they discovered the West Maui Loop bike ride. Hearing a rider excitedly describing the waterfalls they saw or whales jumping along the north shore when returning their road bike rental always leave us grinning. While the ride is a bit shorter than cycling to Hana and back, the 63 mile loop around West Maui provides equally scenic riding and the opportunity to avoid backtracking as the ride circumnavigates West Maui. With a little vertical climbing to challenge even the most seasoned performance road bike riders, we often recommend the West Maui loop ride to cyclists looking to get acclimated with a fun day of cycling on Maui!

A Maui Bike Ride on The Road Less Travelled

Specialized road bike rentals are ideal for the West Maui Loop.

Though a rider could begin the West Maui Loop ride from any of the many resorts between Kapalua to Kaaanapali, our description of the ride begins at our bike shop in Lahaina, West Maui Cycles. After leaving the bike shop, head north along the Honoapiilani Highway out of Lahaina. You’ll quickly ride by Wahikuli Beach Park on the oceanside and Hanakao’o Beach park just before Kaanapali resort and only a few miles from the bike shop. If you forgot anything you’ll need for the ride, stop by your hotel in the Kaanapaali Resort. After passing the Kaanapali golf courses, if time permits and you prefer riding off the highway you’ll want to take the left at the lower Honoapiilani road in Honokawai. You’ll know you are at the intersection for lower road when you see the Honua Kai resort to the left and a waste water treatment plant on the right side of the highway. The lower road is a paved two lane road for biking through Kahana, Napili and other West Maui neighborhoods before eventually reaching Office Road in the Kapalua Resort. Office Road reconnects with the Honoapiilani Highway where the bike route rejoins Highway 30. For reference, the ride distance between West Maui Cycles in Lahaina and the junction point of Office Road and the Honoapiilani Highway in the Kapalua Resort is approximately 9.5 miles. Soon after leaving the Kapalua Resort the highway narrows into a two lane paved road perfect for coastal biking around Maui.

A Maui bike ride climb at Mr Steepy in West Maui.

Cycling out of Kapalua Resort, continue riding past the lush greens and fairways of the famed Plantation golf course. If a winter swell is in, pause to watch the surfers at one of the scenic overlook perched above Honolua Bay. The bike route follows Highway 30 around West Maui through less developed rural countryside resembling upcountry Maui more than the resorts at Kaanapali. Continue cycling until you reach Honokohau Bay and Mr. Steepy, the uphill climb out of the valley. This is the steepest climb on the bike route with an approximate 8.6% grade per Strava. Be ready as you’ll need to climb the 282 foot elevation gain in about .6 mile. At this point of the West Maui Loop bike route, approximately 14.0 miles from the bike shop in Lahaina, Honoapiilani Highway becomes Highway 340 or the Kaheili Highway. Another two miles beyond Mr. Steepy is the Nakalele Blowhole. The ride continues along the ocean through the rugged north shore around West Maui. If Mr. Steepy was more challenging than you anticipated, stop for banana bread or a smoothie in the old town at Kahakuloa Bay. Shoot a photo of yourself with your bike rental and  Kahakuloa Head in the background, approximately 24 miles from West Maui Cycles in Lahaina. A good halfway point of the West Maui Cycles Loop ride is the Mendes Ranch. From there, the cycling route descends into the old Maui town of Waihee and eventually the more modern Wailuku town. You’ll want to get back on the Honoapiilani Highway to ride from central Maui over to Maalaea for the return ride to West Maui.

Riding Back to Lahaina from Maalaea Harbor

From Maalaea Harbor, you have another 15 miles of scenic road cycling to Lahaina. You’ll ride along the Pali (cliffs) before reaching Papalaua and Ukumehame Beach Parks for more shoreline riding into Olowalu. If you need a swim before returning your rental bike in Lahaina or biking to Kaanapali, stop at Launiupoko Beach Park (4 miles to Lahaina) or Puamana Beach Park at the entrance to Lahaina.

For cyclists beginning their West Maui Loop ride at the bike shop in Lahaina, from the hotels in the Kaanapali Resort or from any of the other West Maui accommodations between Kapalua and Lahaina, you’ll want to start the ride in the morning riding clockwise to arrive in central Maui before 1 pm to ensure afternoon trade winds are at your back for the return ride to West Maui. If you are beginning the ride in South Maui or central Maui, you’ll probably want to ride counter clockwise with a goal avoiding late afternoon headwinds by finishing the ride before the trades start pushing across isthmus in central Maui.

We found a couple bike videos of riders on the West Maui Loop on their ride from early February. Each video is just under 3 minutes and give a good idea of what you’ll encounter on the West Maui Loop bike route:

Maui Road Bike Rentals

Rental Specialized road bikes on Maui

Ready to make a bike rental reservation? Rent Specialized road bikes for the West Maui Loop ride! The Specialized Roubaix Comp Carbon Fiber road bike rental is the bicycle Specialized named after the famous French bike race, the Paris to Roubaix bike race. Equipped with a Shimano 10 speed cassette, a Shimano Ultegra rear dérailleur and a Shimano 105 upfront, our  Specialized road bike rentals won’t disappoint! And, you need not worry about this road bike getting heavy cruising around the West Maui Loop or on other Maui road bike rides: The 2013 Specialized Roubaix is even lighter than past year models since Specialized is now using Shimano Ultegra compact gearing along with DT-Axis 3.0 wheels. Find out for yourself what Specialized bicycles means by Smoother is Faster. West Maui Cycles offers rental Specialized road bikes in a variety of sizes from 44-cm up through 61-cm. When you make a bicycle rental reservation, be sure to select the size bike you want. If you need help choosing the correct bike size or bike rental, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the Lahaina bike store by calling (808)661-9005 or sending an email to info@westmauicycles.com. You may also leave questions in the comments section below. We want you to get the correct bike rental because we want you to enjoy bike riding on Maui! Or, reserve road bike rentals now:

Specialized Road Bikes Maui Rentals

Read a bit more about the West Maui Loop bike route and a few other Maui road bike rides. All West Maui Cycles bike rentals include a helmet and lock. Performance road bike rentals include a tire repair pack and pump. You’ll want to bring your cycling shoes and cleats! Our full suspension mountain bike rentals and performance road bike rentals include pedal changes.

Questions about the West Maui Loop bike ride? Answers to the Most Common Questions about the West Maui Loop bike ride. Or, leave a comment below.