As we rolled into Sedona over a week ago we were shocked to find large amounts of snow. The amount in town was dwindling, but the higher elevations or shady spots were white as ghosts. A hike on our first day left us with red muddy shoes and dogs that needed baths. Luckily there was a pretty good view in every direction and interesting "natural art" around every bend.
It might have been muddy, which is not good for bike riding, but it WAS warm! And in January that is the most awesome feeling.
The first bike ride left things a little gooey. However the coolest thing about Sedona mud is it is mostly sand. It washes off easily and doesn't turn into the "death march mud" that we have in Grand Jct.
Before leaving on my first ride I had been trying to get a hold of Anne and Jen from the Hot Tomato Pizzeria to meet up for a ride. We kept missing each others calls so we just went riding on our own. It's funny that it wasn't a surprise when I was able to find them out on the trails, despite never having ridden the area before, and not knowing where the heck I was. It truly is a small world.
Mary and Mary's hands are pretty stoked to be riding in the warm winter sun. She had already been back off the bike for two months utill now.
Below the level of rock that I am riding down, in the above photo, was a little old couple from Europe. We had met them hiking on the way up to this point. As I rode down the steep roller I heard her scream from below. "NO NO NO!!! She was pretty sure I was riding right off of a cliff from her vantage point. It was funny from my vantage, but probably not from hers.
Anne rolls into a chute of chunder rocks...
And the days roll on. Every day we have been out riding with our Over The Edge crew. Mud has been tough at times, but we are finding dry trail thanks to our guide Chewey from the Bike and Bean bike shop here in Sedona. Chasing him and Rad Ross has been a great learning experience as they are two of the best bike riders in the world.
Yesterday we headed out of Sedona and south into the Sanoran Desert to ride the Black Canyon Trail. Over 80 miles of amazing singletrack skirting in and out of the canyon.
Finding intense natural colors in nature is really cool for me. This small stretch of lichen along the trail was lime green and stood out strangely against the brown desert.
One week down, three to go. Life is really good!
No comments:
Post a Comment