What it is: A 36-mile, 10,023-foot ascent of the Haleakala volcano, one of the highest road rides in the world.
Why it鈥檚 worth it: Nearly any day of the year, riders can dip a toe in the Pacific Ocean at the start in Paia, Maui, and climb on a well-颅maintained road through five different alpine ecosystems before topping out at the summit of Maui鈥檚 highest volcano. Then, of course, there鈥檚 the descent.
How to prep: Donnie Arnoult, who organizes the annual race up Haleakala, says cyclists should be in equivalent shape to ride a century. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more about time in the saddle than the hill climb,鈥 he says. 鈥淚f you can do a five-hour century, it鈥檚 roughly the same.鈥 Because it鈥檚 Hawaii, riders often don鈥檛 account for bad weather, so expect rain and even snow on the summit. Arnoult, who has ridden 颅Haleakala an estimated 400 times, 颅always packs winter riding gear: arm warmers, tights, jacket, gloves, and a hat. Don鈥檛 skimp on snacks, either鈥攖he last pit stop is about halfway into the ride, at the Kula Marketplace, although you can refill water at the entrance to Haleakala National Park, with ten miles remaining. Be sure to remember the $8 park entrance fee or you鈥檒l be turned around.
听