RT 179 south of the Village attracts skunks to maybe cross the highway, ones that fail to successfully cross are squished by tires. Their defensive weapon seeps from their orifice creating a bouquet, one that seems to remain in the air circulation of my van. Also floating in the air is the pleasant smell of blooming manzanita. blossoms are tiny bell shaped white flowers. Blue skies and red rocks, temps are warming up to bare skin. Visitors are not as numerous, traffic is not bumper to bumper. Film festival ended 10 day run yesterday eliminating that reason for visitors visiting.
Riding has been very good, some trails and rides put a big smile on my face for how much I am enjoying my ride. The grunt climbs are still grunts with weather lessening the effort. Perceived that is.
Friday and sat I rode down here in the Village. Friday I rode around Hogs using Llama, Little Horse to Chicken Point where several riders were checking out famous White Line. One rider pedaled a short distance out but turned around and pedaled back.
From Chicken Point Broken Arrow trail deals with rocks and short climbs and drops and with hikers to out to where Hogs leaves and the crowds thin. Hogs is a user created trail that the FS adopted and legalized. I bail at Twin Buttes trail to descend down to rejoin Broken Arrow for short piece before taking Hogwash to Peccari dropping down to Mystic which completes circle around Hogs. It’s just Sedona riding. Finish treat is the mostly downhill piece of Slim Shady. Sometimes I sit at the intersection of Coconino to observe user traffic. Hardly anybody passes in spite of Slim Shady being a very popular trail.
Friday night out at vacant MP4 sleep spot. Still needing warmth of furnace during the night.
Sat back to VOC riding I am getting much better climbing the rock armor on Llama albeit just my front wheel gets up on the remaining 1 problem on Llama.
Both days riding here I enjoyed almost solitary company. The area swallows riders such that very few are encountered no matter how crowded the TH parking lots are. Was the same experience during Sunday’s ride up in West Sedona western Gateway trails.
Watched Zags play and defeat SMC at PJs. Short drive out to Overlook for the night. Skunk odor refresher.
Sunday I created another Scramble ride at Western Gateway. Lots of rigs were scattered around at the TH. Gunna be crowded. I picked 6 trail segments then identified them on the FS trail map. Again I was able to connect the pieces without having to double back. Doug and I pedaled the 12.5 miles in 1 hr 45 mins, we encountered about 12 riders the entire route. Forecast called for possible gusts to 31 mph. The new piece of Last Frontier is hung out exposed to winds. Strong winds.
Sedona might lack the long sit on your saddle climbs. It has the challenging terrain and suitable stable geography to hold trails. See the above.
Today is a rest day. Tomorrow is more riding.
March 19 is my bike’s 4 year ride day. At present it has successfully kept me out of ER repair for 851 rides covering 11,995 miles.
This weekend is the Sedona Mtn Bike Festival. I scored a Sat afternoon stint at the beer tent.