RR: AZ Spring Fling RR

[Pain Freak]

Steppie and I didn't make the festities in Tucson, but we started the ride in Phoenix. We were staying at Dean's relatives who are some of the nicest people you will ever hope to meet and they live in a beautiful home out on the pararie. First day for us was SoMo, and this ol gem never fails to entertain, and to work you. Dean and I were 1.5 hours away so we didn't get there in time, but still managed to jump into the second "B" group ride I believe. It was a big group with 20 plus riders. Kathleen (Durtgurl) was our trail leader and as always was very good at it. We climbed National and then the group splintered from here, with some people returning the same way, others taking Mormon and the group I went with descending the other side going down a trail called Alta Something. Super techy for me, but very very fun. Lose with no way to really tell where a line was as all the rocks are lose so you don't see a worn in line and you are pretty much on your own. We descended down this very steep trail to the bottom and with only a few crashes. I have to say I was very impressed with some of the lady riders making us men wish we hadn't left our cajones back in our cars. Jen from CO was very good at some of the drops in the switchbacks and Kathleen showed some of us on how a true mountain biking woman gets it done.

[Pain Freak]

Second day was my favorite spot to ride "SEDONA". I personally love this type of riding over all others. Lots of swoops, drops, jumps and ask CalEpic ,hucks! Sorry I didn't get many pix here as the riding was just too dam good to stop. But I did manage to take a few out at Chicken pointe and Submarine Rock

[dstepper]

I had a good time at the Fling. I have rode Phoenix before on the Desert Classic knowing that South Mountain would be too much trail for me. National had me walking a bunch and knew that Morman Trail would be the better decent for me...that was a good choice. That mountain is hard on bikes and people. My hat is off for those that can ride that stuff.

I can not say enough good things about Sedona except that if you have never been...go. When I was in PHX my mind was on riding Sedona the next day.

And yes Mike my niece and her husband are great and it is only a matter of time before I move to Prescott. Here is a picture last year off their back porch....sunrise over the Mingus Mountains, it is hard for me to leave, it is very quite and peacefull out on the prairie.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

and the last day was a life saver. Some of us were feeling it in our legs among other places and were just not in the mood for anymore major climbs. Dean came up with a good local ride in Prescott that he has done a few times and it called for a shuttle. It saved the day and was just near perfect. I didn't feel the least bit guilty, even when I seen Hans and the OTB crew climbing up.This trail I believe is called the 305 and I really want to go back and ride it again. I'll post a few pix here of this ride and hopefully the others can jump in with their RR's.

[Pain Freak]

Sorry the last pic is of Deans neices house, and this pic doesn't do it justice. It's BIG, and really beautiful.

Did anybody get a pic of Tea Pot?

[CC]

Thanks for the RR...it looks great...and I am looking forward to riding sometime.