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Published: March 29th 2005
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Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.
Benjamin Disraeli
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Maui Mountain Cruisers Haleakala National Park
Monday, March 28, 2005. Bob and I left Honolulu and flew to Maui, the “valley isle”. My initial impression of Maui is, less traffic, no high-rise hotels, and more rustic. As we arrived the clouds were hanging over the mountains, the trade winds blowing and a light rain was falling.
The purpose of our traveling to Maui is to bike down the volcano at Mt. Haleakala! The afternoon we just walked around a huge mall in Maui and killed some time. We need an “early to bed” evening since the outfitter will pick us up at 2:45 AM and transport us to the top of the volcano, where we will coast 38 miles from summit to sea.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005. Our day started early. Edwin, our guide arrived a little before 2:45 AM. Our first stop was to the base of Maui Mountain Cruisers where we met the other folks who were also going on the bike ride. Our guide really stressed safety rules and procedures. “People die on this excursion,” this was enough to get my attention.
Haleakala National Park is a dormant 10,000
foot volcano mountain. As we traveled up the mountain in the dark, the rain began and the wind was howling. As I watch signs indicating increases in altitude I became aware of the switchbacks and how the road was constantly climbing. We would be biking down this same road in a few hours.
At the summit as the van door opened a gust of cold wind came whistling in. We donned our blue rain suits, and gloves then ventured out to the visitor’s center. Of course Bob got his passbook stamped and bought a patch. It was cold, rainy, windy and dark, wonderful conditions for cycling down a mountain?
We waited hoping the weather front would clear, but no luck. So at dawn 6:15 AM we drove down a few miles and sure enough it was clearing and daylight was creeping through the darkness. The next order of business was a practice session with the bikes. The bikes were very heavy and equipped with mega brakes. The helmets we wore were motorcycle helmets with padding for the skull and a mouth guard. There were many bike companies and maybe 100 bikers.
Finally we started down the mountain
in single file behind Edwin and the support van driver behind us. We coasted 20 mph or so and I discovered the brakes, which were extremely tight hand brakes, would slow you down but not stop on a dime.
It wasn’t too long before we were cycling in rain, first light then heavy downpours. But the scenery was magnificent. We cycled by farmlands and in the distance lava rock and vegetation unique to a tropic isle. At one point a cluster of eucalyptus trees gave a lovely aroma, then we continued through pineapple fields, sugar cane fields and flower fields! The sun would come and go, but in the distance was a beautiful rainbow.
Our breakfast stop was at a little café, being drenched, the hot food was a treat. After breakfast the rain was steady and I wanted to wring out my socks, but we continued our descent.
Our final stop before returning to the base, was a church. Father Damien is revered, on these islands, for the work he did with the lepers. It is a lovely old church with gardens and areas for meditation.
“All’s well that end well.” Ten folks left, in
our group, and ten returned safe and sound (just damp). At the end we were all satisfied and savoring a long to be remembered experience!
It is afternoon, and we are back to the airport and on our way to the Big Island of Hawaii. Our night was spent near Hawaii’s Volcano National Park, this is a very active volcano. “My Island Home” is a B&B and we crashed at 9PM.
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Annette
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Thanks!!
Will be doing to bike down the volcano in less than 30 days! Nervous but excited!