What Happened at Bike & Bean TODAY????

[traildoc]

I hooked up with the publisher (Brandon Watts) of Freehub Magazine at 7:30 AM this morning and we went out for an early morning ride on Mescal to check out the new trail re-routes and take some pictures of a new ramp improvement I was asked to do by the FS.

After the improvement we headed down to Canyon of Fools for a rip down to our car.

From Canyon of Fools we headed over to Highline to help do a ride demo for a FS hiking group that was checking out Highline for future potential adoption. Some of the people in the group had never hiked Highline so there were several in the group who were loving the trail for the first time.

Brandon and I encountered the group on the way back to Slim Shady and he took some pictures of the group before we continued on. I am going to try and get one of the pictures from Brandon for your viewing pleasure.

When Brandon and I got back to Slim Shady he gave me the keys to his car and he raced downhill to the Bike & Bean on Slim Shady, while I drove down to the shop from Courthouse Vista Parking Lot.

When we got to the shop I was excited to find my friend Woahey there and we were so happy to see each other we gave each other a BIG HUG. It was nice to see him again and I hope to run across him again in the near future to do another BIG HUG.


TD

[SHNIPE]

Originally Posted by traildoc

I hooked up with the publisher (Brandon Watts) of Freehub Magazine at 7:30 AM this morning and we went out for an early morning ride on Mescal to check out the new trail re-routes and take some pictures of a new ramp improvement I was asked to do by the FS.

After the improvement we headed down to Canyon of Fools for a rip down to our car.

From Canyon of Fools we headed over to Highline to help do a ride demo for a FS hiking group that was checking out Highline for future potential adoption. Some of the people in the group had never hiked Highline so there were several in the group who were loving the trail for the first time.

Brandon and I encountered the group on the way back to Slim Shady and he took some pictures of the group before we continued on. I am going to try and get one of the pictures from Brandon for your viewing pleasure.

When Brandon and I got back to Slim Shady he gave me the keys to his car and he raced downhill to the Bike & Bean on Slim Shady, while I drove down to the shop from Courthouse Vista Parking Lot.

When we got to the shop I was excited to find my friend Woahey there and we were so happy to see each other we gave each other a BIG HUG. It was nice to see him again and I hope to run across him again in the near future to do another BIG HUG.


TD

Im lost.. do you have a map to lead me to what ever the hell it is youre talking about?

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by SHNIPE

Im lost.. do you have a map to lead me to what ever the hell it is youre talking about?

Sorry, this might help ( http://forums.mtbr.com/arizona/sedon....html#poststop )

TD

[SHNIPE]

Originally Posted by traildoc

Sorry, this might help ( http://forums.mtbr.com/arizona/sedon....html#poststop )

TD

You can have your map back.. I still am lost and i just wanna go home now

[happy_ending]

[azbeerguy]

Originally Posted by traildoc

I hooked up with the publisher (Brandon Watts) of Freehub Magazine at 7:30 AM this morning and we went out for an early morning ride on Mescal to check out the new trail re-routes and take some pictures of a new ramp improvement I was asked to do by the FS.

After the improvement we headed down to Canyon of Fools for a rip down to our car.

From Canyon of Fools we headed over to Highline to help do a ride demo for a FS hiking group that was checking out Highline for future potential adoption. Some of the people in the group had never hiked Highline so there were several in the group who were loving the trail for the first time.

Brandon and I encountered the group on the way back to Slim Shady and he took some pictures of the group before we continued on. I am going to try and get one of the pictures from Brandon for your viewing pleasure.

When Brandon and I got back to Slim Shady he gave me the keys to his car and he raced downhill to the Bike & Bean on Slim Shady, while I drove down to the shop from Courthouse Vista Parking Lot.

When we got to the shop I was excited to find my friend Woahey there and we were so happy to see each other we gave each other a BIG HUG. It was nice to see him again and I hope to run across him again in the near future to do another BIG HUG.


TD

I swear you probably keep more people from coming to Sedona to ride than you realize...

[clockwork]

Agreed and I have come to learn to ignore him for the most part..You should see the crap he posts in other forums.

Anyways I am off to better the riding experience for all in an area that needs it got to get my dirt fix.

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by azbeerguy

I swear you probably keep more people from coming to Sedona to ride than you realize...

beer:

You might be correct in your statement, then again you might be wrong. One thing I know for sure is that I gets tons of PM's from people outside of AZ that want to have me show them our great advanced system of trails.

I also have one or two groups camped out in my yard several times a month sometimes a week at a time, so whatever I am doing to turn you off has an opposite affect with other folks that can see the good side.

I believe I am very much like Obama, you either hate me or you like what I am doing. Unlike Obama I am not a BS'er, I don't make promises I know are impossible to keep.

I hope you had your ignore button on so you didn't have to read this response. Remember this is the internet and partially for entertainment as well as some good Intel on what is happening as far as one of our beloved mountain biking trails. If Bike & Bean were to loose Highline that would not be a good thing, and that you can take to the bank.

TD

[mikeyonthemadone]

I am here for two weeks taking time off from the bike shop I manage in Idaho. Traildoc set my boss up with a TON of information, routes, directions of travel and just really great info. I know personalities can clash, but you guys have a good thing going here. don't screw it up!

A HAPPY AND TIRED RIDER

[Cycle64]

Originally Posted by azbeerguy

I swear you probably keep more people from coming to Sedona to ride than you realize...

You need to buy his map. Then you will understand. Have fun at the birds nest tonight. My legs are junk from a road ride today. So Sunday's ride could be cat d or f.

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by mikeyonthemadone

I am here for two weeks taking time off from the bike shop I manage in Idaho. Traildoc set my boss up with a TON of information, routes, directions of travel and just really great info. I know personalities can clash, but you guys have a good thing going here. don't screw it up!

A HAPPY AND TIRED RIDER

mike:

Thanks for the post, unlike some shops that don't have the time to give out trail Intel that helps riders have a great mountain biking vacation experience, I fortunately have the time to help riders determine what Sedona loops might meet their riding skills.

At some shops the employees don't even know the entire trail system and they obviously can't provide the Intel I can, so when someone brings in one my maps they probably get frustrated because they are use to recommending the same old route that they tell 99% of the riders who come into their shop.

I was out today GPSing the rest of the new Secret Perimeter trail that the FS is going to start from the soon to be finished Adobe Jack trailhead. While I was riding a new alignment up to the Ant Hill trail, I was pleasantly treated to some freshly created BLUE DOTS heading up Ant Hill.

For several years there has been a SECRET trail to the top of Ant Hill and to see fresh blue dots on the climb was a pleasant surprise. On my traildoc map I have never shared that route with the masses, since I was concerned of upsetting the FS. Now it looks like the FS has decided to allow a trail up to the top of this rock formation which is going to give the riding public a challenging climb and descent as well as a spectacular 360 view of the surrounding Sedona area.

Now that I have shared the Intel hopefully riders will get a chance to improve their riding experience in the Secret Trails area. It will be interesting if any of the shops other than OTE will recommend that section for higher skilled riders.

TD

[azbeerguy]

Originally Posted by Cycle64

You need to buy his map. Then you will understand. Have fun at the birds nest tonight. My legs are junk from a road ride today. So Sunday's ride could be cat d or f.

Awesome, I am counting on that level of exertion being acceptable

[dcaplan]

"I know personalities can clash, but you guys have a good thing going here. don't screw it up!"

Couldn't have said it better… my wife and I are down from Bend, OR visiting the in-laws and have come down every year for the last 11 to ride. It just keeps getting better and better. Big thanks to all the Sedona riders who put in the large amount trail work.

And while the long-time locals may *****, it's kinda nice to have some maps and signs and to not be lost 1/4 of the time in the maze of connectors. We only get 5 - 7 days a year to ride here and want to make the most of it.

Ended up following the blue dot trail that TrailDoc mentioned on our way home today. Seemed like an odd bit of marking, but my wife guessed (correctly?) that it was the FS. Fun to ride some new to us (but obviously probably around for years) trails like Lost & Found and Ant Hill today.

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by dcaplan

"I know personalities can clash, but you guys have a good thing going here. don't screw it up!"

Couldn't have said it better… my wife and I are down from Bend, OR visiting the in-laws and have come down every year for the last 11 to ride. It just keeps getting better and better. Big thanks to all the Sedona riders who put in the large amount trail work.

And while the long-time locals may *****, it's kinda nice to have some maps and signs and to not be lost 1/4 of the time in the maze of connectors. We only get 5 - 7 days a year to ride here and want to make the most of it.

Ended up following the blue dot trail that TrailDoc mentioned on our way home today. Seemed like an odd bit of marking, but my wife guessed (correctly?) that it was the FS. Fun to ride some new to us (but obviously probably around for years) trails like Lost & Found and Ant Hill today.

dcaplan:

I will bet you a million dollars that you and your wife were not on Lost and Found at the very beginning of your ride before the deep wash crossing.

TD

[dcaplan]

Well, I don't know for sure that we were on Lost and Found, but we left from the west side of the church parking lot and a friendly local showed us the start… and we had your map that we bought yesterday at OTE.

[m77ranger]

Originally Posted by dcaplan

And while the long-time locals may *****, it's kinda nice to have some maps and signs and to not be lost 1/4 of the time in the maze of connectors.

My secrets are safe so far.

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by dcaplan

Well, I don't know for sure that we were on Lost and Found, but we left from the west side of the church parking lot and a friendly local showed us the start… and we had your map that we bought yesterday at OTE.

dcaplan:

And where were you when the old guy with the white Pivot 5.7 and the white helmet asked you where you were going?

TD

[dcaplan]

Hmmm. Didn't notice the bike or the helmet and the rider didn't look old to me. We did start to get off track. Was that you who sent us back onto the correct trail? If so, thanks.

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by dcaplan

Hmmm. Didn't notice the bike or the helmet and the rider didn't look old to me. We did start to get off track. Was that you who sent us back onto the correct trail? If so, thanks.

Yep. I asked where you were from and you guys said Bend, so I figured it was you. The guy who helped you find the L&F trail entrance, I think was riding a red bike. Thanks for buying my map hope it was helpful.

You both were good riders, so I would suggest you ride Highline, Chuck Wagon, Last Frontier, Special Ed and link them up to other trails that they connect with. If you want some specific suggestions let me know.

There is a locals Sunday ride tomorrow that will be an advanced ride which you would be able to do no problem, but the ride stops a lot for breaks for the drug addicts so I don't think you would enjoy the stops, but I am sure the ride would be pretty good. The ride starts at 10:00 AM, if you are interested.

Send me a PM with your phone number if you are interested in any of the above.

TD

[dcaplan]

TD,
thanks for the info. While my wife and I are pretty decent and experienced riders, the technical riding here, especially at the start of our riding season, always takes some getting used to. We ride what we can, walk what we have to, and stay away from the trails that could maim or kill us.

We have plans today to ride Chuck Wagon, Mescal, Aerie, etc. We've done a few of the group rides in the past with my wife's old friends from MBH, and enjoyed them and loved watching the riders with the tech skills we lack cleaning all kinds of nasty climbs and drops. Better than video!

Last year we tried to find Highline, but I don't think we found the right start… We'd be interested in giving that a try tomorrow if you don't have other plans. Then we are headed out on Tuesday AM for our return trip home.

Dave

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by dcaplan

TD,
thanks for the info. While my wife and I are pretty decent and experienced riders, the technical riding here, especially at the start of our riding season, always takes some getting used to. We ride what we can, walk what we have to, and stay away from the trails that could maim or kill us.

We have plans today to ride Chuck Wagon, Mescal, Aerie, etc. We've done a few of the group rides in the past with my wife's old friends from MBH, and enjoyed them and loved watching the riders with the tech skills we lack cleaning all kinds of nasty climbs and drops. Better than video!

Last year we tried to find Highline, but I don't think we found the right start… We'd be interested in giving that a try tomorrow if you don't have other plans. Then we are headed out on Tuesday AM for our return trip home.

Dave

Good choice for today, take Gunslinger to Gunsmoke to Mescal after riding Chuck Wagon. I stuck a stick in the Rock Jail near the end of Chuck Wagon before you cross a fairly large wash to mark where the turn is to Gunslinger. If you ride across the Jeep Road at the end of Chuck Wagon the Rock Jail is behind you.

TD

[TransitionSenior]

HEY TD:
you may think that you appointed yourself as "Sedona's Self-Appointed Ambassador" but that title is confirmed in FUN by hundreds who have had the pleasure of riding with you; getting your info thru Az mtb; and from your great maps.

Even in our wonderful mountain biking society there are a few, very few, jerks, who just want to be critical of positive guys/gals like you.

By me, a simple old rider from BC, you have made Sedona # 1 on my riding destination list; thats right; #1!

cheers, and stay on it!
TS

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by TransitionSenior

HEY TD:
you may think that you appointed yourself as "Sedona's Self-Appointed Ambassador" but that title is confirmed in FUN by hundreds who have had the pleasure of riding with you; getting your info thru Az mtb; and from your great maps.

Even in our wonderful mountain biking society there are a few, very few, jerks, who just want to be critical of positive guys/gals like you.

By me, a simple old rider from BC, you have made Sedona # 1 on my riding destination list; thats right; #1!

cheers, and stay on it!
TS

TS:

Thanks for your nice comments. My brother in law committed suicide last week due to depression. I do get deeply depressed when posters speak badly about my efforts to improve Sedona mountain biking. Your insights cheered me up a lot and I thank you for that.

TD

[TNC3]

TD,
Natalie and I can't thank you enough for your hospitality during our time in Sedona recently. I can't think of a better way to spend a couple of weeks. We're missing Sedona already! Your trail knowledge was invaluable. I had been riding in Sedona at least a half dozen times before, and you introduced us to at least a half dozen new trails. My favs were Hogs, Mescal, Hangover, Damifino, Killer Bees, Lavitra...We couldn't have had such a great time without your knowledge and expertise. I use to think Sedona was beautiful with good riding...now, I think Sedona is Beautiful with Super-Rad, Sick, Killer Riding!!!

[traildoc]

Originally Posted by TNC3

TD,
Natalie and I can't thank you enough for your hospitality during our time in Sedona recently. I can't think of a better way to spend a couple of weeks. We're missing Sedona already! Your trail knowledge was invaluable. I had been riding in Sedona at least a half dozen times before, and you introduced us to at least a half dozen new trails. My favs were Hogs, Mescal, Hangover, Damifino, Killer Bees, Lavitra...We couldn't have had such a great time without your knowledge and expertise. I use to think Sedona was beautiful with good riding...now, I think Sedona is Beautiful with Super-Rad, Sick, Killer Riding!!!

TNC3:

Thanks for the kind words. Darch just showed up and took your place in my driveway, I hope my neighbors don't call the police because they think I am running an RV park.

Tomorrow where will be four of us totaling over a combined 270 years trying out some of the trails in the northwest riding area. Apparently there has been a lot of new alignments out there and we are going to go out and see if any of it is worth sharing with the masses.

Some of it might be worth sharing with the up coming AZSF on March 17th and the Sedona Singletrack Celebration on March 23 to 25.

Good Luck in the Boulder City race and say hi to Nat and Joey for me.

TD