Wed dawned cold, clear & windy. Checked weather forecast between here & Sedona. Said OK I’m down the road.
Bid good bye to Quentin @ OTE & headed South. Climbed up out of Hurricane Valley past upper JEM TH, Gooseberry, & Little Creek which was under snow. Retraced my route around end of Grand canyon, missed Page, and stopped in Flagstaff which was under about 8″ of snow. Pretty, beautiful driving day. Dropped into Sedona canyon just as it was getting dark. There was snow in the trees and hanging on the rock faces. The further I dropped down canyon the less the snow. Flag sits @ 7,000 on old route 66. Sedona is under 5000′ Drove to Mtn Bike Heaven for info. NOD (narly old dude) was working. He claims name origin and he wears his 66 yo well. Mtn Bike Heaven is having a christmas day ride that I will join. He gave me a camping spot about 10 miles west of town. Drove out in dark & found a spot.
21 degs this AM. Outside of van was covered in frost. When the sun struck I watched the frost turn to steam. Several hot air balloons were “flying”.
Back @ MBH for a ride idea. NOD gave me a doosey. Before gearing up I called Bike & Bean and asked if they were having a shop ride. Yes, a social ride today after they closed the store early. Cool. A local ride.
Drove further down canyon to B & B out of the snow. Geared up and showed up @ shop. I recognized several shop people from previous visit and they me. About 12 of us headed out finally on trail from shop.
This Sedona is special riding. I smiled and went to a special place several times on the ride soaking in riding here. I analyzed the trails as a bit of trail riding mixed in w/ technical features and then a few bigger technical stuff. Red sandstone & trails. A bit of freeze thaw wetting the sand but no clay to make things slippery. Sandstone was slightly slippery caused by wet that hadn’t sun dried.
Big group social ride so lots of stopping & talking. Goal was short ride and then back to shop for beer. Stopped on this open flat slick rock vista. Participated in safety meeting. Wow!. Got to pay attention to what I ride over. I followed Bill quite close and as a result I rode some stuff that I might have walked. I was riding it for the first time. At a blind overlook I want to see the runout. Tagging another rider who rode it says a bike can ride it. I need to call my technical skills into play and ride it myself. All the while be conscious of staying upright.
I posted up on mtbr.com forum seeking ride ideas. 2327 people had viewed my post.
Juniper trees cover. Prickly pear cactus. I hiked up a hill above where I camped tonight. The cactus grow in patches. Threading my way thru the climbing was like backcountry skiing around trees.
Down here biking.
Hung @ Bike & Bean for refreshments & socialization. This year Mountain Bike Action published a multi page article about Sedona riding and B & B. I presented it to Jim, the owner and asked for his autograph which he did. Said he knew I would come back. I gave him one of my stickies. he gave me a shop mug and asked for me to take pictures of it and email back to shop.
Tomorrow is a ride w/ the bad boys.
Pagan days.