We've begun the journey known as the Over the Edge staff trip. It never disappoints and this year in particular has thus-far been, well, for lack of a better term; SICK!
We started the journey south and lit up the Chili trails in Moab to get us primed for the daily epics expected in Arizona. They were riding grippy and fast - and broke up the drive to Flagstaff a little easier.
After a night of excellent Thai and spirits in Flag, we drove straight to the trail head up Schnebly hill road in Sedona to take on Hangover and a few other bits. That trail speaks for itself and I honestly can't even describe it. A spectacular day was unceremoniously finished when I sheered off my dérailleur on a gruesomely steep climb. I coasted back to town with a tow from my homeboy Max.
With my Endorphin (AM bike) hurt, I pulled out the V-Tach (DH bike) to conquer some very XC trails with Joe Murrey (yeah that guy) on Sunday. It was a beautiful, classic Sedona burn-and-turn ride on some new trails (suffice to say they were too good to be "recognized"). After logging ~20 miles on the 8" wonder bike, I bailed and headed back to town to down some serious calories! With a belly fool of whatever I could find at the condo, we wound down the evening with some delicious home cooked Italian courtesy of Dave. 8-10 bottles on wine later.....we went to bed.
Hazy and befuddled, I awoke early the next morning to repair my wounded steed with a primo X.0 rear dérailleur loaned to my by Kevin. Upgrade. With my bike back together and jazzed I jumped in with Ross (Schnell), Max, Ticia, and Dave and we set course to the best trail in Sedona - whats the name? Damn if I know. I wish I remembered because it was truly exceptional, as it has been for a few years. Exposure, rollers, vortexes, what else is there in life to ride for? Its a treat to ride with the best riders I know on such an amazing route.
We made tracks to Phoenix today and stopped in Black Canyon City for a quick jaunt on what ended up being one of the most surreal trails I've ever ridden. Black Canyon can and will blow your mind all over your face. It feels like the best parts of Blue Diamond (LV) over and over and over. Fast and flowly, bench-cut, machine built speed track. We went to roughly 8-9 miles and turned back, yet the trail managed to be just as fun both ways!
We're in Scottsdale now, tomorrow South Mountain awaits.....
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