Mt. Bike Now

This year, like many others passed, I wanted to get away after the holiday havok for some quiet time on the bike. I usually get away for no more than a week, but since I had not traveled out of the region since returning to the Mid-Atlantic 3 years ago, I wanted to do a little extended travel. I talked with some friends and various destinations were thrown out there, but at the top of the list were either, Guatemala or Sedona. I had never been to either, but I did like the idea of having my car as a back-up residence, so it was looking more and more like Sedona. Some folks from Hairrsionburg would be traveling as well and things started to spiral out of control I found myself heading west from DC after a long day at work with a car full of bikes and gear headed for the ‘Burg where I would be meeting up with Tim, Sue and Collin to drive out Sunday. There was a little get together at the Wolf’s place Saturday night before trying to get a good night’s sleep and head out around mid- day Sunday. Or at least that was the plan.

I headed over to the JV Squad Haedquarters in the morning to rope up Collin before heading to Tim’s, but once I arrived at Tim’s, I could see it would be a while before we would be leaving as the were no racks on the van yet and nothing packed inside. Collin and I headed over to the shop to stock up on items we might need during our travels then over to Food Lion for provisions. We met Tim and Sue there just as the sun began to set and headed West. We drove through the night to our first stop, Arakansas to meet up with Andrea and ride the Syllamo Trails for a couple days. Fun flowy trails there with just enough technical tidbits to keep things interesting. She put us up in her family’s beautiful cabin overlooking the river just a couple miles from the trailhead. Our last night there we ate at Tommy’s Pizza which has a surcharge for groups over 6 (not a gratuity) and has “No Loud Children” posted. Great pie and charactor at that spot. Southern hospitality never disappoints.

Departure…

I cant believe I pulled this one off. Note rear wheel off the ground and the close proximity to the tree…

(Sue foto)

A ghostly Andrea passes in front of Sue’s lens…

On the road again, we drove into New Mexico and spent the night ona dark roadside where we got some snow overnight. Up early and bound for Flagstaff so Tim could order some bits for a bad seal on his fork then twisting down 89 through the Ponderosa Pines into the red rocks of Sedona. We rolled into town where we promptly ran into Craig who is mountian biking the states and he gave us some beta on where to camp just outside of town. We all hungout that night talking of out adventures and plans for future ones. Craig took us out the next day for a nice spin on the System Trails and things just spooled up from there. We hooked up and rode with a buch of great folks there including Chewy, Tex, Joe Murray, Ross Schnell, Jackie Harmony, Dante and a host of others who showed us the goods. Everyday was an opportunity to step up one’s riding and smeone was always taking a line or riding a feature that I hadnt even noticed. It’s always great to ride with new folks for this reason. So many good rides that all seemed to blend together now. The Wolf flew out and rode for a week before having head back East.

Head West…

Overnight at the Bar 7 Ranch…

While riding the Hogs with Tex, I rolled an ankle off a 6 foot drop, but some Chinese potion loosened things up well. Then while out in Rabbit valley with Joe Murray, Chewy and Steve, I took a nasty cactus spine to the ankle which paralyzed my foot. Some trail side surgery courtesy of Tim, Chewy and a dull knife got the angry 2+ incher out and riding for 4 more hours. Collin went OTB when part of a ledge broke off and sent him tumbling 30 feet on sandstone rubble leaving him with a fine case of stigmata. Tim broke his helmet later that day at the bottom of Ken’s Trail in a loose chute and I broke a thumb when I hesitated rolling into a narrow chunky staircase on Lizard Head. On out last day in Sedona, Ross popped out his shoulder in a steep, exposed switchback. Posi vibes to a speedy recovery.

Down the Rabbit Hole…

Collin on the move…

No poseurs…

What did I just say!

(Sue foto)

Chewy gets some…

Riding fuel…

Jackie on the gas…

Arizona pinstripe…

Tim rolls in on Killer Bee…

Tim snapped this one of me…

Highline…

Things cooled down so we headed south to Phenox where we hookup with Gabe who works for Better Ride who took us out on South Mountain and hosts Wednesday pumptrack sessions at his house. It just so happens we rolled through on hump day. Heavy late night sessions took place and pretty much every bike made rounds and put a track up on the flat wall. Collin was going off and stuck his front wheel over the fence and took a digger. Gotta pay to play. We all went our separate ways in the morning, Tim and Sue bound for New Mexico before hitting San Diego and Baja, Collin went back up to Sedona for another taste of the good stuff there and I battled winter storms and Interstate closures bound for the East Coast. I stopped off in Harrisonburg for the annual Super bowl ride up to Flagpole Knob before landing back at home in DC…

Typical sight on National Trail…

Tim puts his skills to the test…

Collin puts a track high on the wall…

So what did I learn and come away from this trip with? The obvious good time and memories of people I met on the road, but also the realization that it is possible to live the good life if I choose to do so. Everyone I met in Sedona made the decision to live that way of life. I also am feeling the urge to do some Super – Ds and even dusted off the old full face and body armor today for the first time in 10 years. Also, I realized that 3 weeks is not too long to be away. Actually, it didn’t feel long enough. Next year a 2 month rental in the desert? Anyway, here is the first round of photos. There are still a ton more which need to developed and Tim and Collin have hours of video footage which I hope to eventually post as well. A huge thanks to all who rode with us, put us up, dug in my leg and mocked my choice of bike on our journey. All of you helped to make this an amazing adventure. Hope we can turn some wheels again soon