Step one: Sedona

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.....

Tequila tonight, tomorrow we RIDE

The day has finally come (or at least is very close to coming). Tomorrow myself and a rag-tag group of "so-called" mountain-bikers depart for a near two-week road trip of the Southwest. First stop Flagstaff, here we come Pay-n-take!

I'm bringing my eeePC to keep y'all updated on all the riding your sorry ass is missing! That was a tinge cruel, but this weather has made me considerably tougher!

Yesterday I rode Amasa Back in Moab for the final bike "shake-down" before the trip. The ride, and bike, were excellent - soured only by a fantastic crash on the last possible drop on the trail. Just before crossing the stream to climb back to the lot, while pinning it, I decided to just huck off the final 4-footer instead of the usual notched route. Where I departed was a bit bigger than I had remembered and the landing was nothing more than a sandpit and boulder. Ooops. Front heavy, I exploded of the back of the bike and sent it hurtling in front of me. I'm okay, the bikes okay - lesson learned (IE don't be a dumbass).

In other news, Rennie signed with Morewood - thats interesting.

Also interesting( to those curious about how our country ended up in our current economic disaster) is this concise and exemplary article from the WSJ.

And finally, I'm totally enamored with the Wale. I'll agree with the critics on this one, best mixtape of 2008. Get it, listen to it, and hear it.