<strong>Maui Cycling Adventure</strong>
I rented a road bike from <a href="http://www.stirflux.com/smb/">South Maui Cycles</a>, ?The friendliest bike shop in Maui.? They certainly lived up to their slogan. The Sunday shop ride was up Haleakala, a 36 mile torture-fest up the steepest paved road on earth (10,000 feet elevation gain). Naturally, PeterUK has done this ride and I will leave it to him to chronicle. Shawn and Tim at the shop were training for the <a href="http://www.cycletothesun.net/">Cycle to the Sun race </a>on August 24th. Good luck guys!
I opted for slightly less strenuous rides around the island. I really enjoyed the route from Kihei through Wailea and down to La Perouse Bay. My ride was a Trek 1000, WSD. It features a triple crankset, for which I was grateful on many occasions. The frame could have been stiffer (I like them <em>very stiff</em>), but overall a fine bike.
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/328395471_UfHBQ-S.jpg" alt="" />
Initially, the ride along the beach in Kihei is quite flat. The hills begin as you enter Wailea. There?s quite a climb up past the Four Seasons and Fairmont, and you?re rewarded with a spectacular vista at the top with views of Kaho?olawe, Molokini, West Maui and Lana?i. On the other side, there are gorgeous Mountain views. Wow!
The bike lanes are wide and clearly marked; however, they seem to disappear and reappear for no particular reason. Even so, the street is wide with two lanes and little traffic; it?s quite safe. Eventually, the bike lane ends for good at the golf course. Beyond this point, the shoulder disappears into the overgrown weeds. It?s a good place to get a tofu dog from the little stand down by the beach before continuing to the nature reserve and La Perouse Bay (at the end of Makena Alanui Road).
The road narrows quite a bit, but was recently paved. There are a number of rollers before you reach a nature reserve. The views at Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve are spectacular.
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/329399168_BPMdL-S.jpg" alt="" />
I even saw some spinner dolphins leaping out of the water. <em>Spinners</em>, FTW!
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/328782399_QYYU7-S.jpg" alt="" />
The route becomes increasingly treacherous as you approach the lava fields. This is the youngest part of the island and the results of Haleakala?s last eruption can be seen everywhere in the vast fields of lava. It is a wondrous scene, evocative of an extraterrestrial landscape.
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/329399341_M6TXS-S.jpg" alt="" />
I tried to avoid the shards of lava, but this proved futile and I flatted. Fortunately, two European cyclists cruised by and they were happy to assist. I met up with the Euros later that evening and bought them a round of drinks?but I digress.
Heading back towards the resort area, I noticed that there were open houses galore throughout Wailea. Prices have plunged here, with a concomitant drop in volume.
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/328387127_ZuPnW-S.jpg" alt="" />
According to a <a href="http://www.mauirealestate.com/blog/">local real estate blog</a>, ?After staying within 10% of last year's volume of sales through the first five months of the year, we saw a pretty dramatic drop of [condo sales] 53% between June of 2008 and June of 2007? There were 74 homes sold in the month of June at a median price of $616,000. These homes averaged 133 days on market. This compares to 112 homes sold in June of 2007 at a median price of $667,000 with an average of 186 days on market?? <em>IHB timeshare, mayhaps?</em>
My ride concluded with a stop at Caf? la Plage in Dolphin Plaza, back in Kihei. This is a delightful French coffee/sandwich shop and they had the tv tuned to the Tour de France. There were a bunch of Australian roadies glued to the race, buzzing about Cadel Evans. They were a cool lot and I ended up riding with them later in the week. Incidentally, one of them was named Peter. He was riding a Cannodale, having rented his bike at West Maui. PeterAUS was somewhat difficult to understand and kind of a git.
<strong>Prof?s Picks:</strong>
<strong>Best place for a drink at Sunset:</strong> Wailea Marriot; try the Maui Brewing Co. IPA, it?s got a complex citrus flavor and a glorious hoppy bite (do not buy it in a can, unless you like a metallic after-taste)
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/328383035_8URGj-S.jpg" alt="" />
<strong>Best place to stay:</strong> Book a condo thru AA Oceanfront and stay in Kihei; I?ve done this for years and each property has been nicer than the last. They are very helpful, efficient and reasonably priced. I like the laid back atmosphere of Kihei and hangin? with the surfers. If you?re looking for a pretentious Tenmagnet sort of atmosphere or you?re a golfer, then opt for one of the ritzy Wailea properties.
<strong>Best nude beach </strong>(or so I hear): Little Beach; just scramble over the lava promontory and there?s a delightful secluded beach on the other side. <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.tv/Clip.aspx?key=08171218E3030F6D">Nude surfing seems like it would be somewhat hazardous; however, it?s apparently popular here. </a>
<strong>Best South Maui Beaches:</strong> Oneuli (for black sand), Maluaka (behind the Maui Prince) is great for snorkeling (lotsa sea turtles), swimming and hanging out
<img src="http://profette.smugmug.com/photos/328402893_ZDBYP-S.jpg" alt="" />
<strong>Best Lahaina Restaurant:</strong> Lahaina Coolers; fresh local ingredients, innovative dishes, veg. friendly
<strong>Best cheap eats:</strong> Maui Tacos!
<strong>Best place to rent snorkel gear:</strong> Boss Frog?s (get the stay dry snorkel and don?t forget the de-fogging drops)
