RR: A Good Month (MdO, Sedona, etc)

[Waldo]

Funny - lately I've been feeling sort of off when I ride, like I've really been slacking. Granted, I'm not as young or fit as I used to be, but I didn't think I'd fallen off that badly. So I started reflecting on the riding I've done lately and realized it's actually been a very good month!

It started with a weekend trip to the Central Coast, an area I've visited and loved for a long time, but never ridden. A good friend up there finally got a solid bike (Fisher Hi-Fi) and connected with some friends who ride, so it was on. Got there on a Friday night and warmed up with a cool local loop about 9 miles long. Nothing spectacular, but for a backyard ride it was pretty sweet. The four of us started with a nice sustained climb up to a great viewpoint, followed by a payoff of a couple miles of singletrack ranging from buff & flowing to tight & technical. Cool.

The next morning we drove up to Montana de Oro for what turned out to be a hammerfest. Still four of us, but with one person - and the whole atmosphere - changed. Now there were two major speed demons pushing the remaining two. The climb up the East Boundary trail was pretty and fun (watch out for the poison oak!), and the descent that followed was a great trail. Sorry, I didn't catch the name, but it was similar to the Luge but without the loose stuff. From there we took Islay Creek Road back down to the coast at Spooners Cove and did a quick loop around the Bluffs Trail for a Powerbar break. Then it was back to the grind as we climbed the Ridge Trail. This must be a lot more fun as a descent! It was loaded with energy-sucking sand on the lower third, then had several maybe climbable (but not by me) loose rocky sections further up. Since we were already 10 miles into our day, we didn't do too well at climbing the steepest, loosest sections, but the descent back down the East Boundary made up for the earlier cursing. I also scored boy scout points for being the only one with spare links & pins when one of the fast guys broke his chain. Total score was about 15 miles, and I can't ever remember being that tired after that distance.

Wish I had some pics from those rides! Nobody was shooting the Friday night local ride, and I haven't got pics yet from the friend who was shooting at MdO :-(

The following week was the trip I'd been looking forward to: Sedona.

Just south of Sedona is Montezuma's Castle National Monument. Despite studying history and having travelled a bit in the southwest, I'd never visited one of these cliff dwellings. It is pretty neat. Wish it hadn't been 102 degrees with no breeze.


Some cool tree bark colors


It was an anniversary trip, so to score points with the wife I kept the riding to a minimum - only one day! We stopped at Bike & Bean as we entered town, and Gonzo let us check out the bikes we'd be using the next day. They set me up with the pedals I'd need and we were set for the next morning.

Just down the road, this guy greets you as you enter Sedona proper.


Our hotel was a disappointing, but it was located near some nice restaurants & galleries, and was at the base of a nice hiking trail called Marg's Draw. It worked out OK, but I won't stay there again.

The next morning we were at Bike & Bean when they opened. Within a few minutes we were rolling out of their lot and onto the Bell Rock Pathway, which has to be the greatest beginner's ride in the world. The combination of mellow, rolling terrain and spectacular views is unbeatable!

Mrs Waldo on the Bell Rock Path.



We rented a Kona Dawg for her and a Coilair for me. Yeah, it was total overkill, but being late in the season, the selection of bikes in my size was a bit thin. The Coilair turned out to be an eye-opening experience for me.

Posing with bikes while watching for the aliens that land their spaceships on Bell Rock.


I'd never ridden a bike with that much travel, so I quickly started looking for ruts & rocks to test it. At the end of the Bell Rock path we continued onto the Mystic Trail, which started with this fun little rock section. Well, it would have been fun on my Burner, but with 6" of Float/DHX suspension, the ultra-squishy Coilair it made it nearly boring!


It was actually more interesting to climb that section than descend it. Took me a couple tries to get over all the square edges, but the Coilair soaked it up. Hmm, I might be starting to like this bike...


The Mrs even took a couple tries at it. Considering she's only been out in the dirt a few times, I was really impressed and proud of her effort.



I continued to be impressed with her as we pushed farther along. Despite a couple small spills, she kept riding stuff I didn't expect her to try...and she was making it! This ride was a bit of an epiphany, as she discovered the fun that goes along with the effort. Now we're gonna have to get her a better bike.

The Mystic Trail is split by a section of pavement as you transition through a nice neighborhood. One of many, many dream houses I saw around Sedona:



After Mystic, we took a jeep trail (Passing many tourist-laden pink jeeps) up to Chicken Point. Fortunately for the wife, it was a mellow climb with only a couple very short steeper bits. Unfortunately we didn't take many pics for the rest of the ride, as we were having too much fun! From CP, we descended on Little Horse trail. It was only after we were halfway down that I realized I was riding sections with confidence on the Coilair that would have been sketchy on my bike. And my wife was really impressing me with the stuff she was riding. There were a couple times when I rode something kind of sketchy and had to turn around to wave her off cause she was so fired up to try it all. Cool! We're really kicking ourselves for not shooting more pics.

Before the trip we were worried about the heat in July, but our timing couldn't have been better. The monsoon rain season meant that if we timed it right between downpours, the temps were very pleasant. Most of our ride had temps in the upper 80's and a slight overcast. Toward the end though as we made the return on the Bell Rock path, the clouds darkened and thunder started popping. I tried to push the wife to get the pace up, but she was spent so we took our time. As we started the final 1/2 mile downhill to the end of the trail, the skies opened up.



On our way out of town we stopped at another bike shop, and they had a sign on the counter that returning rental bikes in dirty or muddy conditions would incur an extra $10 charge....for mountain bikes! Tony, Gonzo, & Jim at Bike & Bean just smiled and asked if we had a good time. These guys couldn't be easier to deal with, and they carry nothing but quality stuff. Thanks Shu for the referral - I highly recommend this shop!

The next morning we did a short hike up Marg's Draw. This was the view looking toward Uptown & West Sedona.



That afternoon it rained a lot, so we didn't think we'd get to see one of those classic Sedona sunsets. It looked gloomy out, so at 7:30 we were in our room relaxing. I decided to step onto the balcony and when I looked east, this was the view:


Maybe 4 minutes later...


Another couple minutes later, looking west...



The only problem with this trip was that with only three days in town it was WAY too short. Next time I'll stay for at least 5 days to fit in more riding. OK, one other problem: After riding that Coilair and toying a little on a Chumba XCL a week later, I want a new bike!

The Sedona & MdO rides have been followed by by some fun local stuff, including Old Camp/Luge, introducing a new riding friend to Peters, the awesome Adrenaline Poker Ride, and a bunch of other fun. Now it's time to get some sleep....I gotta ride early tomorrow!

[Innes]

What was the name of the place you stayed? I usually stay at the La Quinta Inn which is about two doors down from the Bike and Bean, but I also go just for riding.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by Innes

What was the name of the place you stayed? I usually stay at the La Quinta Inn which is about two doors down from the Bike and Bean, but I also go just for riding.

The place we stayed was called The King's Ransom (I guess the name should have been an ominous hint). It was OK, but very basic, not as nice as it looked in their ad/web site, the walls were paper-thin, and it wasn't as convenient a walk to some places as we'd hoped. They say it's walking distance to Tlaquepaque shopping/dining area: It is, but with no sidewalks and a narrow road, you don't want to be staggering back after a couple margaritas! Still, there were several galleries & restaurants nearby.

There was a Comfort Inn next door, so if I go back on a tight budget, I might try there. Of course there are lots of places to stay in Sedona if you have some money burning a hole in your pocket. I really wish the crew at Bike & Bean would just open a bed & breakfast, offering overnight bike cleaning & tuning for the next day's ride!

[CalEpic]

Nice RR. I'm going to get my wife up there now that she's started riding a little.

I think the Bike & Bean does have a room or two they rent out upstairs. Good coffee to wake up to would be a nice bonus.

C

[Pain Freak]

I like the Comfort Inn and even the Super 8, true no bells and whistles, but we only shower and sleep and then we're back out on the trails. I plan on going again in Dec after xmas

[Innes]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I really wish the crew at Bike & Bean would just open a bed & breakfast, offering overnight bike cleaning & tuning for the next day's ride!

They do. Or at least they used to. There's an apartment above the shop. It's not quite a B&B, but you can (or at least used to be able to) rent it out.

[Waldo]

Innes & Cal - thanks for the tip about the room at B&B. Maybe if I go there solo. And CalEpic- thanks for the reviews.

[0gravity]

I've stayed at and checked out a few places in Sedona and I have to say the Quail Ridge Resort is the best value if you want a place to be able to cook/prepare some of your own meals. Just over $100 per night for nice places with kitchenettes, hot tub and heated pool, great scenery right outside your door, and just a 2 min walk to the Bike & Bean and entrance to some of the best trails.

I could SO live in Sedona.

http://www.quailridgeresort.com/