Sedona

Sedona- Day 8,9
Sunday, February 26, 2006

we got into Sedona on saturday afternoon. we unloaded the car and headed out for a nice evening ride and explored Sedona while we got use to our mtn bikes again. it felt great to be on the fat tires once more!

then, we stopped by a local shop, Mountain Bike Heaven, and a guy named Simon invited us on a group ride leaving Sunday morning. as we waited that morning, i started playing on some jumps they had behind the shop

then, as the local guys showed up for the ride in full protective gear, and 40 pound downhill bikes, we asked our selves what had we gotten into?!?!?

the ride started, and immediately we stuck out on our 23 pound X-country bikes and spandex. the initial trails were fast and pretty normal. although Sedona has not received rain in 120 days, it is truly an unique gem in Arizona! riding in such a beautiful surroundings, we forgot who were with..........

and the realization that we were headed into trouble quickly caught up to us when one of the guys showed us a “little” 8 foot drop off they like to play on! the local guys took us on a trail that isnt on any map and even some of them got lost. my cycling skills have never been pushed that far in one ride! i have done longer mtn bike rides, i have done faster mtn bike rides, but all i can say is it was THE GNARLIEST ride i have ever been on!! we were riding on the edge of cliffs, down super steep rocks, over single log bridges, doing drops, twisting between cacti, bush wacking, anything to keep the wheel of the insane rider in front of us! we made it back to town battered and scared, but alive. the local guys and gal ended up being very cool, very friendly, very skillful, as well, impressed that we could do the ride on our small tires. it was an unforgettable ride and i feel lucky to have been able to experience such instantly pure moments of life on my bike with my friends!

so, as you look at the Sedona photos, keep in mind that the early photos were the begining and as the ride go going, there was no chance to stop and pull out the camera....