TR: Maui - Riding down a volcano

Back from a much needed vacation to Kauai and Maui. Hooked up with some friends and locals and shuttled Haleakela (Maui). Being a spoiled Nor Cal rider, I can't say it was the greatest ride ever, but it was neat-o to ride on a Mars-like volcano at the top (10K feet above sea level). I'd do it again.

The loose lava rock up top was interesting to ride on, the fire road after the gate was super fast, the singletrack (Mamane Trail) down through Poli Poli was cool, but the best was the "pig trail" the local guy took us on after Poli Poli... just a scratch of a trail that allows you to avoid the pavement section. Very technical and fun. The ladders (by the frisbee golf course) were fun too, as were the open fields where you just let 'er rip :D

Warming up:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/IMG_0832.jpg

Pavement start:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04248.jpg

Lava start:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04250.jpg

Lava road:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04261.jpg

Nice:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04255.jpg

Like riding on ball bearings:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04259.jpg

12 year old Dane ripping:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04268.jpg

Mamane Trail: (big fire went through in Feb)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04273.jpg

Happy to be off lava and on singletrack:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04274.jpg

Through the forest:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04276.jpg

Beginning of Pig Trail: (didn't stop for pix on this section cause it was too much fun)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04278.jpg

Ladders:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04281.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04284.jpg

Fields of joy:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0845Large.jpg

Shop dog met us at the end:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0867Large.jpg

Maui sunset:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0747Large.jpg

Aloha.

Sweet TR. I am lucky enough to have done that ride as well.

http://hevenor.com/adam/img/bike/maui_2_06/kihei.jpg

Non-mountain biking pix... thought I'd share 'em too.

Jumping and swinging at Kipu Falls (Kauai):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0049Large.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC03780.jpg

Hiking on the NaPali Coast (Kauai):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0410Large.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC03825.jpg

Wailua Falls (Kauai):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC03900.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC03905.jpg

$8 golf course (Kauai): (yes, $8)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0452Large.jpg

Another @#$&*! waterfall:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0260Large.jpg

Olivine Pools (Maui):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._0543Large.jpg

The blowhole:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04176.jpg http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04179.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hev

Sweet TR. I am lucky enough to have done that ride as well.

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Yeah, I found your post when I was searching for info. Nicely done!

Cool! I thought this was going to be a TR about riding the damn Haleakala road with all the other tourist douches.

Very pleasant surprise - excellent pics. That trail looks damn fun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tradygirl

Cool! I thought this was going to be a TR about riding the damn Haleakala road with all the other tourist douches.

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I did that.....








But I rode up the bastard first!

http://home.comcast.net/~shullln/DSCN0094.JPG

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tradygirl

Cool! I thought this was going to be a TR about riding the damn Haleakala road with all the other tourist douches.

Very pleasant surprise - excellent pics. That trail looks damn fun.

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I believe those touristy rides are not allowed anymore... too much carnage. The State shut 'em down :biggrin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onehotchili

nice TR.... i especially like the "Fields of Joy" shot where it looks like you might be cutting the road switch backs from Poli Poli State Park?

over 10 years ago i had an opportunity to go with Paul Turner (Founder of Rock Shox) and Greg Herbold (the DH World Champ at the time) and join them on this exact DH run. i would have been schlepping some gear for some pro-photogs since they were doing it for Mountain Bike Action magazine. unfortunately i had work stuff going on... but i think it definitely would have been fun to do with them.

i have done the ride a bunch of times since i lived a couple miles from Haleakla highway... but i *thought* they made it illegal now. in any case, great shots...

oh... tradygirl - i was almost a guide for bringing tourists down the highway, but then i wised up and realized i didn't want to be shuttling tourists around at 3am for dawn coast rides down the highway. i wanted to save my mornings for smoove glassy surfing :)

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Yeah, those were the Poli Poli switch backs. We only cut a couple of them cause there was lot's of fun (new?) trail to riders right, in the forest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lonnie

I did that.....

But I rode up the bastard first!

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Props to you Lonnie... I don't even like driving that far/long!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3W MO7B

Yeah, those were the Poli Poli switch backs. We only cut a couple of them cause there was lot's of fun (new?) trail to riders right, in the forest.

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Did you go through the eucalyptus forest? That place smelled AMAZING!

Very nice:yourock:

That single track looks soo fun. I've always wanted to ride in Hawaii.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3W MO7B

The blowhole:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04176.jpg http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...i/DSC04179.jpg

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Does your wife/girlfriend know you call her the blowhole? :)

Looks like a fun trip.

That looks awesome, great TR! I've always wanted to make it over to Hawaii... now I REALLY want too!