We have prepared this narrative for those of you who are not familiar with Haleakala and would like to train before the race or just want to get an idea of what you are getting your self into.
We usually view the course as divided into thirds. The first third from Paia to the Crater Rd junction climbs 3,000' over 15 miles. The next third is from the junction to the Ranger Station at the entrance to Haleakala National Park and climbs 4,000' over 10 miles. The last section from the entrance is 11 miles and climbs 3,000' to the summit.
The grade varies constantly over the course so you are never really able to pick a gear and get into a rhythm. The beginning of the course is fairly mild, around 5% until you get to Makawao where there is about 1/4 mile leaving Makawao that is close to 16% then it levels off and makes a right turn and goes across the Olinda pasture land for about 1 mile of rolling hills so you can get into your big ring for a short time. The course then turns up hill and joins Haleakala Hwy and the next couple of miles are around 8% then the road veers around the mountain and levels out until the junction of Crater Road. Total distance to here is 15 miles and 3,000' of elevation gain. Once you turn on to Crater Road things get a little more interesting. About 1/4 mile up the road on the left is the Sunrise Market. They have food and drink as well as restrooms. The next water is the the park headquarters about 11 miles from here. On race day there will be an aid station a 1 1/2 miles up the road on the right from the market. The next mile or so is close to 7% and then it lightens up a little until you get to the 5 mile marker (Crater Road Junction is 0 mile marker). Between the 5 mile marker and 7.5 mile is the toughest stretch of the race, it probable cranks up to between 10 and 11% at times but after 7.5 miles the road turns across the mountain again and you actually have a little downhill for a 1/4 mile. You can get into your big ring here and get your breath back as you shoot down and around a curve and then start back up. By the time you've shifted back down to your lower gears you've passed the 8 mile marker. The grade is fairly calm from here to 9.5 miles where you will see a large flat area on the right. This is referred to as the "gravel pit" and where we locate our 6,500' aid station. Just past this the road turns up some more for about a mile and then you level off at the park entrance. With the exception of race day you'll need to pay the $5 day fee for your bike so bring some cash. From the park entrance you only have 11 miles left and at this point the incline is a little more gentle. About 1 mile inside the park is the park headquarters with water fountain and restrooms. You can make good time for the next few miles and then the road steepens and winds back and forth until the summit. The thing here is that you are now past 7,000' and the air is noticeably thinner and your breathing becomes more labored. Watch yourself. The weather can change here also. You could be in and out of the clouds. It could be misting or raining and the wind could be blowing. As the road winds around the mountain you will have times with the wind at your back and then in your face or you may luck out and have no wind or rain.
The finish is at the upper parking lot. About 1/2 mile from the summit as you ride up you will see a large parking lot in front of you with buildings. To your right you can look up and see the actual summit and the finish. The road will turn right through a gate just before the big parking lot and you go up to the summit. This is about a14-15% grade. You finish in the small parking lot at the top for the observatory. On race day we have a finish line banner with food and drink and then the riders are driven back down. If you don't have someone meeting you on your training ride you will need to bring warm clothes for the ride back down or you'll freeze. Temperatures at the summit range from the 40s to the 60s. Arm and leg warmers and a windbreaker will do it but you may want full fingered gloves as well and booties for your feet if you have them, you'll have a good hour of riding down before you get to warmer air and close to 2 hours until Paia. A good rule of thumb is to be off the summit or at least heading back down by noon. The weather generally gets worse in the afternoon even though it will be in the 80s at the beach.