You've been to the mountain and surveyed its magnificent slopes. Now there's nothing you want more than to grab a bicycle and head down the volcano. On your own. At your own pace. Those follow-the-leader type tours aren't for you. You don't want to keep pace with the slowest rider in the group, you want to be free to explore, and you don't want anyone telling you when to start and stop. All you need to be happy is a bike and a lift to the top of Haleakala.
Though most downhill bike tours originating in Haleakala National Park are guided tours, there are a few companies that rent equipment, give you a ride to the mountain, maybe a tour of the summit, then send you off on a bike to explore at will.
Unguided bike tours are less expensive. They don't offer hotel pick up or food. Instead, tours assemble at company headquarters where equipment and transportation to the volcano is available. Tours generally start at the park entrance below the summit. Expect to drop some 3,000 feet in 10 miles and curve around about 30 switchbacks.
