Tour of Maui - Lizard Head Cycling Guides
   
107 Aurum St, Box 855, Ophir, CO 81426 970.728.5891 info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com

Tour of Maui

Please click here to jump to the Overview section with all tour details including pricing.

Tour of Maui: Highlights

To support Maui’s recovery efforts after the island’s devastating August 2023 wildfires, with our friends on Maui, Lizard Head Cycling has created a bike Tour of Maui.

All proceeds from this road bike tour will go directly to support wildfire recovery efforts on the island.

While touring in Maui, cyclists will ride numerous roads that maybe the “most scenic” they have ever seen, while playing a small role in re-invigorating the Maui’s tourism centric economy and supporting the fire relief efforts. We’ll be partnering with Maui Sunriders Bike Co – who lost one of their three bike shop locations in the fires – for vehicle support and bike rentals.

Maui’s recovery will be a long and arduous climb and our aim is to help in any way we can.

Here is the current list of the island’s local resources and small businesses we plan to support. At the tour’s end, all proceeds from the tour will then be donated to local charities.

Supported Businesses on This Tour

Cycling Highlights

Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island, and is best known for its world-class beaches, humpback whale viewing opportunities (up to 10,000 call the waters around Maui home each winter!), and being home to one of the longest cycling climbs in the world – from sea level 36-miles to the 10,000’ summit of Haleakala Volcano (we’ll give this a go on day 3!).

This 6-day tour is ideal for upper-intermediate to advanced riders who are looking to immerse themselves in island culture while serving Maui’s local economy.

The tour’s route was designed by Conor O’Brian, a Lizard Head Cycling Guide, who until this year, had spent his winters in Maui. Conor knows the island well and has designed this tour to showcase the island’s most scenic and safest cycling routes.

If you are interested in cycling and supporting Maui this winter, please reach out with your questions.

Tour of Maui: Dates

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

To easily register for a particular tour, please click the Book Now! link after the tour date listed below. This will select the tour name and the appropriate date on the registration form.

2024/2025 Tour Dates

NOTE: 9 riders are needed for this tour to run. It makes sense to register first! Whichever tour date is opened first by a confirmed reservation, will be the date we funnel riders towards to reach the 9-person minimum.

  • January 12 to 18, 2025 (Book Now!)
  • January 19 to 25, 2025 (Book Now!) – TOUR OPENED 6 riders needed to make GO

Tour Status Notes: NO STATUS = Date Set, no riders have signed up. TOUR OPENED = Tour Opened, rider minimums not met. TOUR A GO! = Tour is Go, rider minimums met. SOLD OUT = Tour Full, rider maximums met.

Why Should you Sign-Up Now and OPEN a Tour Date?
This is the proverbial chicken and the egg conundrum! We need our cyclists to first commit to the date that works for them so that we can commit to that date.

For starters, when you OPEN a date you get to pick your preferred departure date, and there is no penalty if the tour does not run. Once you pick your tour date, Lizard Head closes nearby dates and funnels all additional riders to your chosen date until the tour meets its 6 rider minimum.

BONUS: As an added bonus, we can also hold a spot for you on another tour date of your choosing. There is no fee to switch to another tour date.

In conclusion, if you want a tour to run, we need you to sign up and not wait for others to do the same! Waiting for others may mean that a tour date takes longer or does not confirm. Just Do It! Once a few riders jump into the proverbial waters, others will follow!

Tour of Maui: Overview

Reptile Rewards

Tour Length: 7-Days/6-Nights

Meeting/Ending Airport: Kahului Airport (OGG), Keolani Place, Kahului, HI

Total Miles: 225 miles (higher & lower mileage options available)

Total Elevation Gained: EFI is approximately 20,000 feet

Ability Level: Upper Intermediate (3) , Advanced/Expert (3/4)

Tour Minimum: 9 riders are needed for this tour to run.

Tour Cost: $4,495 per person. Add $1,140 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 6-Nights). No Group or other Tour Discounts apply to this tour.

Tour Includes: This inclusive cost includes guide service, 6 nights of lodging, all meals, guide service, in-tour shuttles, and much more. Alcoholic beverages, massage, and bike rental are additional. All proceeds from this tour go to local charities actually affected by the August 2023 fires.

Lodging for 6 Nights: (subject to change)

  • Nights 1 to 4: Nona Lani Cottages, Kihei, Maui, HI
  • Nights 5 & 6: Hana Kai Maui, Hana, Maui, HI

NOTE: Lizard Head Cycling has arranged for pre- and post-tour lodging that is less expensive (approx $300) than airport hotels for our guests. Please contact us for details.

Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.

Road Bike Rentals

NOTE: The make, model, and specifications of rental bikes may differ from what is described below. Please contact us if you have any specific needs for a rental bike or have any questions about rental bikes.

Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to rent Scott Bikes. The Scott Addict 10 Disc was designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 10 will be your go to when you’re looking to put the miles in.

The Scott Addict 10 Disc features: Carbon Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra 2x11 Drivetrain, 34x32 Compact Gearing, 30mm Tires, and Hydraulic Disc Brakes. Approx. Weight: 16.89 lbs / 7.66 kg (without pedals)

☛ Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment

Road E-Bike Rentals: Click Here for more information on our Road E-Bike Rentals including pricing. Please note that E-Bikes are not available for certain tours including those that involve camping. Please contact us for more information before registering for a tour. NOTE: E-Bikes are great, but our tours are designed to be ridden without motorized assistance. We offer "bumps" along the road so that everyone can stay together.

Tandems and Recumbents: Lizard Head Cycling Guides happily accommodates both tandem and recumbent bikes on our tours.

If you have any further questions, please read more on our Rental Bikes FAQ page. You can also email us at info@lizardheadcyclingguides.com or call us at 970.728.5891

Meals On Tour

Lizard Head Cycling Guides provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.

Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and occasionally guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being "off the grid", most of our off-road tours feature guide prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called "Guide TV". :)

We also pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests and needs, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works best for you during your tour. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, or a someone who loves it all – we will keep you well fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Dinners: On our road tours, Lizard Head Cycling sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert... yum! :) Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element.

Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?

Definition of Ability Levels

= Intermediate (2/3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 1 to 3 times a week for a total of 50 or more miles.
= Upper Intermediate (3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 2 to 4 times a week for a total of 75 or more miles.
= Advanced (3/4) Rides and/or takes spin classes 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 100 or more miles. Has ridden multi-day tours and done a century ride.
= Expert (4) Rides 4 or more times per week totaling 150 or more miles. Rides E.F.I. with regularity. Has done numerous multi-day tours, century rides and races.

How Fit do I Have to Be? If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week equaling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week long bike tour is to go on a week long tour.

Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some points. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!

Do the Bump! Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterwards, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Seamless Mileage Options: Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. 🙂

Slow or Fast? Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.

If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891 - we'll more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Overall Route Map

Below is an example of the daily routes for this tour and are subject to change based on season, available accommodations, road closures, and other factors. The actual routes will be made available to registered participants before their tour, so please view these routes as a general outline as to what to expect.

Tour of Maui: Itinerary*

*PLEASE NOTE: Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations, road construction, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Also, the distances and elevation profiles shown below may not reflect the actual distances and elevations while on tour as these are provided here to give an idea as to the anticipated mileage and terrain. Please view this itinerary, the distances, and elevation profiles as a general outline as to what to expect while on this tour.

Day 1: Slow Roll to Island Life
28 miles with up to 1,680 feet of climbing

After arriving to the Kahului airport, we’ll keep things easy for our first day of riding on a gently rolling cruise from Kihei southward to see the black lava rock – the youngest land on the island – at La Perouse Bay. Starting at Maui Sunriders bike shop in Kihei, we’ll head south along the ocean. The road will become increasingly quiet as we make our way through the resort towns of Wailea and Makenna, and the scenery increasingly dramatic. We might even pit stop at Maui Brew Co before calling it a day!

This evening we’ll settle into island life at our home base for the next four nights in the beachside town of Kihei at cottages near the ocean. Once you arrive, it will be time to put your toes in the sand and exhale at your island home for the next week.

Elevation Profile: 28 miles +1,680 feet / -1,680 feet

Day 2: Humpbacks on the West Maui Loop
Up to 60 miles with up to 4,240 feet of climbing

On Day 2, we’ll tackle the famed West Maui Loop. Looping around the westernmost part of the island, the route bobs and weaves its way along desolate, scenic stretches of single lane road offering sweeping views of the Pacific.

The first half of the West Maui Loop ride is mostly flat along the ocean where if we are lucky, breaching humback whales may be visible! Every winter, an estimated 10,000+ humpbacks make their way to Maui – where most spend their time in the shallower waters along this route.

As we pass through Kapalua, the road will narrow as we’ll bob and weave our way along the northwest corner of the island. Up and down, up and down…almost all of today’s climbing happens in this upcoming 20-mile stretch. Either the coastal landscape or its views on this stretch of remote road will take your breath away!

We’ll be sure to stop and say hello to Lorraine in Kahakuloa and have some of her shave ice or banana bread – her shop (and home!) is a staple in the Maui cycling community.

On this Day 2, we’ll also ride to Lahaina – once the capital of the entire Hawaiian kingdom, now in ruins from the fire in August 2023. We’ll be mindful and respectful through this stretch and reflect on our opportunity to be a small part of the recovery effort, which will last for years to come.

By day’s end, we’ll be surprised if you don’t immediately call this ride one of the most scenic you’ve ever done!

We’ll end at the beach before shuttling back to our accommodations in Kihei.

Elevation Profile: 60 miles +4,240 feet / -4,240 feet

Day 3: The Haleakala Climb!
36 miles with up to 10,060 feet of climbing!

On Day 3 we head to the North Shore of Maui, and point our wheels uphill…to climb Haleakala! This climb that draws cyclists from all over the world and is considered a bucket list climb for many cyclists. Haleakala will test our legs, and our minds. Haleakala is the “Everest” of cycling climbs and although it is rarely too steep, it is relentlessly uphill for 10,000-feet. From the beach, one can climb 36 paved miles to the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakala volcano. At the summit, cyclists break through the cloud line and look down at the entire island of Maui while peering into the crater. On a clear day, you can even catch glimpses of the 14,000’ peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa 20-miles away on the Big Island.

NOTE #1: If the climb proves too much, cyclists turn back and relax at a local café.
NOTE #2: Due to National Park regulations, Lizard Head Cycling can’t guide cyclists all the way to the summit – as the National Park entrance is at 7,000’, and the Park does not allow commercially guided tours of any kind within its borders – we’ll “guide” you to the entrance and then cyclists will ride unguided to the summit. Bring those layers…the summit (and ensuing descent) will be chilly! While there are a handful of steeper pitches as you work your way cycling up Haleakala, the gradient is, on the whole, quite gentle (5-6%).

Upon our return to our accommodations, we’ll enjoy wood-fired pizza from a mobile pizza oven owned by a local Maui couple.

Elevation Profile: 36 miles +10,060 feet / -80 feet

Day 4: Layover Day in Kihei

After climbing Haleakala, we take a break today at the beach and soak up island life from your cottage… surfs up!

Day 5: Riding the Supernatural Road to Hana
63 miles with up to 6,910 feet of climbing

On Day 5, we begin a two-day route to the most remote area of Maui while circumnavigating the Haleakala Volcano. The Road to Hana – a road comprised of 50 single lane bridges and countless sweeping turns, connects Hana to the rest of the island. Most of the climbing on Day 5’s route happens right off the bat – with over 3,000’ in the first 17 miles into the less-visited area of Maui, known locally as “upcountry”. One can either tackle the climb, or bump to a high point of the day in the van.

As the ascent unfolds, the road will narrow and the traffic volume will drop off dramatically as we start our descent back to sea level over the next 20+ miles as we ride along through the dry ‘backside of Hana.’

The final push of Day 5, to the remote town of Hana, is tough, but oh so scenic. On this section, be ready for steep pitches and sweeping views of the Pacific as we hug the iconic Hawaiian shoreline far above the ocean below!

The climbing is slow and steady, as you will want to stop every few minutes to take photos and soak in the views. If we’re lucky, we’ll see the Big Island (bigger than every other Hawaiian island combined) on the horizon, about 20 miles away.

We spend the next two nights in the tiny, picturesque jungle town of Hana – a serene place unlike anywhere else on the island.

Elevation Profile: 63 miles +6,910 feet / -6,785 feet

Day 4: Layover Day in Hana

Enjoy a day off the bike to relax or explore the small town of Hana.

Day 7: Rainforest Riding! Hana to Paia
44 miles with up to 4,300 feet of climbing

Today’s ride may once again be the “absolute most scenic ride in the entire world”. On this final day, we’ll enjoy a slow and beautifully quiet morning in Hana, before completing our ride around Haleakala. While the road ahead is as narrow, twisty, and turny as yesterday, the landscape is in sharp contrast from the day prior; while the south side of the volcano is dry and arid, the north side of Haleakala is lush and green…we’ll be riding through the rainforest!

Before ending our Tour of Maui, we’ll be sure to stop at a roadside market or two f”or banana bread andfuel up at the famous Paia Fish Market in the surf town of Paia.

We’ll end our ride, and our trip, in the surf town of Paia – famous for big wave surf watching in the winter months at Ho’okipa Beach. We’ll refuel at the famed Paia Fish Market before saying our goodbyes!

Tour of Maui: Logistics & FAQs

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here.

Travel Insurance

If you have not already, now would be a great time to consider adding travel insurance to your tour. You are welcome to use any travel insurance company you would like. We recommend Generali/Trip Mate.

Generally, if contracting COVID causes clients to cancel or interrupt their tour, trip insurance companies would treat it as any other illness as long as it is contracted after the insurance was purchased. Please check your individual plan documentation for details. Please note that quarantine is usually only covered if clients are actually sick with COVID. If a state requires quarantine upon arrival because of standardized state law, coverage is generally not covered. Again, check your individual plan documentation for details.

American Guests - use this link: http://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/get-a-quote.html?partner=LIZA0855

  • The Premium Plan is the only plan which offers Pre-Existing coverage so long as the plan is purchased prior to Final Payment.
  • The Premium Plan is the only plan that offers an optional Cancel For Any Reason - the policy must be purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and if they cancel for Any Reason, it must be 48 hours prior to departure, and the reimbursement for an Any Reason claim is 60% of pre-paid, insured, non-refundable trip cost.
  • Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-874-2442 for coverage questions and policy modifications or to purchase by phone. Agency Code: LIZA0855

Canadian Guests - use this link: https://tripmate.catravelins.ca/?utm_source=lizardhead

 
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