Excitement of another shop ride woke me early. Made it to ride on time.

Mtn Bike Heaven, Roma, the owner leader, Sponge Bob & Amp whom I met @ Fruita, several other riders from last Sunday. Dean bailed early. Larger group today. Soil was “alive” after 2 days of good rain, some mud holes, some places standing h2o. More of same Sedona shop rides: who knows where we were but they do. Enjoyed bike set up.

Out of towner, flew in from Seattle. Told him of my opinion of the riding here that it is unique. It took him awhile but he caught on. Water ran red mud color.

rode 21 miles & 2377′ in 3 1/2 hours riding time but maybe 5 hours out. Not as hot today. Knowledgeable people stop in shade. Here there are junipers a bit taller than head high that offer shade. A favorite trail is a wash w/ rocks, ledges, some small trail away for a problem & then back in. One was maybe 14′ deep and a bit wider than handlebar and it was serpentine w/ a climb thrown in.

I have ridden in 45 states 220 rides, I put Sedona at the top of a special heap, this is just such unique riding. There is a myraid of trails, most not mapped, no sustained climbs, lots of technical challenges, sketchy trails, desert w/ shade, trails are rough hand built, not as well made as Black Canyon, red color, some slick rock, lots of moving rock, drops & roll overs, glad to trust 5.5″ travel up front (Kudos to PUSH who tuned shock so that I get all but 1/8″ of shock travel w/ no bottoming out, front fork likewise). Cactus and slime tubes. Hook up w/ locals for real ride. Could spend more days riding here. Great potential for wintering.

Did wash. Dashed back to camp amid sprinkles & wind to take outside shower before rain. Showered but no rain.

Busy area this eve. Ranger made round trip but didn’t stop. 2 cars are back there tent camping.

Too many tourists. Encountered way many on trails.

Tomorrow is Flagstaff for several days. It is @ 7000′, back in  elevation mode form 4000′ here.

Clean body for clean flannel sheets, life’s simple pleasures.

My legs are chewed up from desert pokey things and these little biting gnats that leave welts.

Warm evening again. Didn’t sleep well looking forward to AM shop ride from mtn bike heaven as today the ride is not to be as knarrly as Sunday’s was.

Darma, Dean & Jackie & dog, Seva, and dangerous dave arrived later. Too hot for dog group, Seva dropped out later. I just hang on. Others are on big hit bikes that they bereak stuff on and I an on my frail XC bike. Need a big bike for riding here. Not as hot today, a bit overcast. Most of trails were on map. One not on map we rode right down a rock strewn draw. This riding here is all about loose sharp edged moving rock. No big 400′ climbs just a lot of technical moves. dangerous dave is just that but handles his bike w/ ease. We crossed Oak Creek on foot over a loose series of sticks inches from flowing mid thigh deep h2o. Warm enough for a planned dip, not a fall. Posted ride data in Google earth that is an interesting view, open rides starting with “Sedona…”

Slime tubes have special needs in that if it goes flat because of too many holes, you might have to replace the tube and abrade out all the thorns that are sticking thru the inside of tire. The slime oozes out sealing the hole, if it goes flat the ooze looses its grip in hole edges and lets air escape when pumped back up if too many holes. Sometimes the thorns work thru the casing long after riding in thorns and if I replaced the slime tubes for the lighter regular tubes I would be patching a tube. Might be fated to riding the heavier tubes until I leave thornland and buy new tires. My spare tube is also a slime

Drove back out to Gaydar spot where I have left my chair & carpet to say somebody is staying here spot. Pretty windy. Pitched shower enclosure that the wind just beat around. I showered with the plastic enclosure wrapped around me. Used just under 3 gallons of h2o. Plenty of real hot h2o from Coleman.

Found Sprinter dealer in Scottsdale for oil change & service. Called & made an appointment for tomorrow. decided to do work here about 900 miles before it is needed to spare myself the coast of CA crowd for a Sprinter dealer.

Dean, whom i rode with on Sunday & tried to today but too dog hot used to own bike shop outside Zion NP. On Sunday’s ride I told of a guy up on Gooseberry that used his wheels to knock rocks off the trail. He said that was him so I met him back in ’98 but my memory failed.

Parked on windward edge of bluff and the wind is hitting my van amidships and I am rocking.

Looking forward to a good sleep tonight because temp is lower. I am tired

These pics were taken from walking / driving around town:

These were on ride:

Example of more heavily ridden on trails: