| Maui got a surge in popularity about 15 years ago, | | | | attractions. |
| when companies started offering bike tours down | | | | The Sunrise Bike Tour is more popular among cycling |
| Mount Haleakala. Tom's Barefoot Tours was first on | | | | enthusiasts. These tours start at around 3am with a |
| the scene. Initially called Cruiser Bob's , the company | | | | hotel pickup, which takes you to the summit of |
| staged the first downhill bike tours in the 1980's and | | | | Mount Haleakala. You'll make it just in time to catch |
| introduced tourists to the beauty of inland Maui. | | | | the sunrise at the Haleakala Crater-a height of over |
| Dozens of companies soon followed suit, and biking is | | | | 10,000 feet above sea level-before taking off for the |
| now one of the top Maui activities for both tourists | | | | downhill ride. |
| and locals. | | | | The descent down the volcano starts at the |
| The company offers two kinds of bike rides: a | | | | Haleakala National Park at around 6,500 feet. A chase |
| guided tour and an unguided or freestyle tour. The | | | | van travels nearby with cameras, warm clothing, and |
| guided tour is offered to beginners and first-timers, | | | | emergency accessories, and several stops are |
| and involves a dedicated tour guide who stays with | | | | provided for rests and picture taking. The tour ends |
| the group for most of the tour. These tours are | | | | at noon with a sit-down lunch before the guests are |
| usually short, starting in midmorning and ending at | | | | dropped off at their respective hotels. |
| noon at the Paia area or one of the nearby | | | | |