The Coyote's Howl...

After leaving Sedona we camped near Black Canyon City AZ. We noticed Dinka was acting funny, and smelled funny. That night Coyote's howled a little closer to the tent than was comfortable. Our little "puppy" was in heat and had let the world know it with her scent.

From January 2011

Sooo, instead of riding sweet trails in the warm Arizona sun we quickly changed plans and headed for Missouri to have Dinka spade by my parents Vet. A little over 48hrs later and Dinka was feeling pretty sleepy and lethargic as the above photo attests. Sweet Arizona trails would have to wait a week while Dinka healed up and we spent time riding sweet Missouri trails without her and enjoying the rather nice Ozark weather instead.

From January 2011

We got home late the day of Dinka's surgery, but I still wanted a ride. Gus and I headed for some trails near home. Trails that happen to also be some of the most remote in the Ozarks.

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

Sedona mud in Missouri!

From January 2011

From January 2011

As I stood at the highest point in Taney County I noticed how long my shadow was and just how far from home Gus and I were.

From January 2011

And the trail conditions made pedaling anything but easy...

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

And the Sun was setting...

From January 2011

And I kept stopping to take pictures....

From January 2011

And it was getting really cold...

From January 2011

It's rough in January to still be on the trail after dark...but ya know we survived!

From January 2011

The next few days brought warmer temps. Unlike Colorado, the snow actually melts in the Ozarks. Mary and I headed out to Glade Top Trail. A place where I learned to Mtn bike. We went "Fun Riding" on Missouri slick rock, down the dry creek beds.

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

I spent 10 minutes trying to get up this pathetic little ledge.

From January 2011

From January 2011

PATHETIC!!!

From January 2011

From January 2011

I might have said this before, but I really like riding bikes with my wife!

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

We arrived back at the house, just in time to watch the Ozarks sky melt into the horizon. Good Stuff!

Sedona...From Mud to Dirt...

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

Anne rolls into a chute of chunder rocks...

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

From January 2011

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.

From January 2011

From January 2011

One week down, three to go. Life is really good!