Jimmy and Bill Z have separately enticed me with riding at Prescott. From VOC it is about 60 miles. For them it is a day trip out and back in a day. My preference is to visit this place as if it were on my big road trip. I worked around that issue as I drove to here today for a ride then spending the night to ride different stuff tomorrow. This will give me 2 different guides and ride flavors and to share their enjoyment of these trails.

Friend Steve from Sun Valley arrived on Tuesday for friendship and riding. He is with me here above Prescott on Thumb Butte road. Today Jimmy guided us. Different dirt, tree cover, what else? Decomposed granite described as kitty litter over hard pack. Right out of the gate I was taught a traction lesson as I attempted a Sedona red rock banked carved turn when we didn’t turn away from approaching tree. Good brake skid saved my bacon. Alligator juniper and P pine. High open forest just waking up from snow pack.

Memory recall of the rider etiquette is of excellent manners. Tread on the trail and yielding, us too.

We rode 2 loops from our rigs. We passed thru the parking area for the start of the 2nd loop and avoid the temptation of cold recovery drinks in our cooling devices. Well built trails. started to get a hang of the dirt. No red rock visible. Could see to mountain peaks above Flag.

Steve and I in our respective rigs drove up recently graded but still 10 mpg gravel road to find an open camp spot.

On Friday Steve and I rode the Outer Limits Girdner loop. Ran into bike patrolers Marty and Kevin who counted 35 riders seen on their ride. We did see a lot but not that many. Visited with a group of older than me hikers, local. They appreciated the new trail.

Yesterday our day plan was to meet at Cultural park at 11 for Outer Limits Girdner loop. Figured 2 hours then drive to Prescott up on Thumb Butte road for a camp spot and today’s ride. Climbing out of Dry Creek we took the newly constructed trail named Remnant. We were told it would take us where we wanted to go. Turned out it Ledge n Airy taking us the long way to get to where we anted to go.It was about 3 PM. I was fussing the time when Steve just said, “We’re retired” We more cheerfully finished our ride with the new plan of returning to Beaverhead for the night and driving over here this morning. We’re retired.

Another visitor paused on this trail:

Camped at 6285′. Beaverhead is only 3885′

Day time ride temps are in lower 70s under usually cloudless skies. Short sleeve jerseys and shorts. Working on darkening my skin once it moves past the pink and peeling.

Friday was my last PT treatment, I graduated. back problem mostly gone as strength testing revealed. Just have home work. I roll out an ensolite pad on the floor and adjust my body around the tight space in the van. Loosening up my hips.

Thurs was laundry in the AM then out to ride a loop around Cockscomb using the new trails. Today I would ride the entire Outer Limits trail, 6.2 miles of almost all new construction. At Dry Creek crossing the creek was its namesake.

The climb up is a hump on a well constructed mostly bench cut trail built by the ACE and FS trail crew. It rejoins the former Last Frontier right at the bottom of a steep loose climb. Hike a bike is a moving forward speed. Last Frontier continues to junction of former Middle Finger which it climbs them traverses across steep cliff side.

Outer Limits joins Cockscomb, I turner left to pick up Aerie which has been growing rocks adding tech challenges of short height requiring finesse for enjoyment. My bike has 160cm on rear and 170 on the front, not that I ever use it all, it just means I have a bit of plush which lessens the impact of making contact with said rocks. Diaz’s RUNT is the soft featherbed for the front end. Rolled onto Cockscomb again, this time of the N side pedaing around the east side to join Rupp for a high speed over many sections of loose sandstone down to cross dry Dry Creek. Next is the new rerouted piece of Girdner

Then the hump up the old Girdner to climb out of the creek bottom. 15.2 miles climbing 1526, right down to 100 feet elevation gain per linear mile of trail. 2 hours.

Friday after PT I rode the Soldier Wash trails. favorite Javalina going downhill. These trails were the closest to the MTN Bike festival so it was heavily used yet showed no blow outs.

Sedona was carved out of USFS land, private building abut FS land. Trails go above and around houses.

I rode out and back the section of Tea Cup I helped build maybe 3 years ago. Has worn in well.

Sat morning was another volunteer trail work day. I was assigned the decommissioning of social trails created by ACE crew walking to their work sites.

Dashed down to PJs to watch Gonzaga play Texas Tech in a sweet sixteen match. Sad day for Zag fans as TTUs defense was stifling.

Sunday was the VVCC spring picnic at Red Rock State park which is off Lower Red Rock road. A foot bridge across Oak Creek is in the park. 17 club riders pedaled away soon to split to tech and not so tech groups. 11 of us pedaled a mix of system and cross country trails out in Turkey Creek area. Some fun stuff with just a few hikers encountered.

The group I rode with were older. I asked for a show of hands of who was 60. Just 2 did not raise their hands. Burly group both tech skills and strength. I as my preferred position of last was behind on climbs. They got after it on the downhills. No slouches. Back at the picnic I checked out riders’ bikes. Serious rigs. Every one with a dropper post.

Today local Bill Z and his significant Amy and I rode entire of Outer Limits then cut over to Girdner. They like pedaling Prescott which is about a 2 hour drive way. They had yet to ride the new trails. They were smiling with satisfaction and beaten down vibe. Another nice day.

I hung out at the Cultural park for a while. TrailDoc drove up and engaged in a lengthy conversation. He left. Phone rang. The number was identified to Jeff from Spokane. I answered his call. He and family are here in Sedona and staying within a short walking distance. He walked over. Great to visit with an old Spokane friend.

Today I read 2 internet columns about the Zags season which really captured what the program was like this year. What a season, what a team.