Spring is in the air. In the high Rockies of central Colorado, we call this mud season and it’s a trying time for me. I have such an itch to ride my bike, but the snow has turned to slush and the dirt is still far from ride-able here. VIDA Sedona could not come at a better time.
This year VIDA Sedona coincided with the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. In addition to hero-dirt trails and perfect weather, there was an abundance of beer, music, demos and vendors. I had the chance to get on a Juliana Bicycles Roubion demo, which made my heart sing.
This year VIDA Sedona coincided with the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. In addition to hero-dirt trails and perfect weather, there was an abundance of beer, music, demos and vendors. I had the chance to get on a Juliana Bicycles Roubion demo, which made my heart sing.
My Roubion demo for the day got a little frisky with Sienna's 5010.
Carpool partner and fearless Captain of the highway, Tricia Shadell Thursday night, Tricia and I rolled into the festival in Clifford (the big red truck) a day early and found the boys of SRAM, unable to pitch their tents, and looking somewhat forlorn. We did our best to cheer them up. The weekend was off to a playful beginning, complete with aura readings at dinner, margaritas and a delightfully innocent breaking and entering of a poorly-located, desert-dirt bag’s chariot.
Friday consisted of helping at the VIDA tent in the midst of the festival. Women came from all over the country and beyond (Mexico to Maine) to attend the skills clinic and VIDA gathering. Myself and some of the VIDA ambassadors managed to squeeze in a group ride with local, Amy Blossom, guiding us through Canyon of Fools and the network of trails in West Sedona. Lady-shredding ensued. Back to the festival to meet with more awesome women and campfire shenanigans at the group campsite Hermosa Tours booked for us in the heart of Sedona at Chavez Crossing campground. We slept well next to a roaring creek, with a starry sky up above.
Saturday turned into a mellow group ride on Hangover.
And then a gentle jaunt through Hogs with a little bonus stop on Submarine Rock and Chicken Point.
And then a spin out to Hiline to round out the Triple H.
Sienna and I were spent after 30 miles (thank goodness for Guide Pro) and pedaled back to the festival grounds and stuffed our faces at Spoke and Wheel, where we had beer coupons and all-day happy hour due to their policy of encouraging patrons to go by bike.
Sienna's big grin at the end of Hiline
Sunday found me with a big grin on my face as I was teamed up with Kim Godrey and Edy Yee and their group of strong intermediate women polishing the skills they had worked on the day before. These women, although they considered themselves “intermediate,” were on some black diamond trails working on drops and steep rollers. They rode exposed sections of trail with confidence and seemed to have a deep understanding of how to handle their bikes. Keep an eye on the growth and achievements of VIDA's participants.
#ladyshred meets #pinkjeep
To wrap up, VIDA Sedona and the Sedona Mountain Bike festival were a roaring success. I left with tired, sun-kissed legs, more memories than photos, a number of superb mountain biking friends, old and new.
Thanks Golden Bike Shop for supplying this gorgeous ride for the weekend.