Sedona / Oak Creek Canyon

Here’s today’s google earth link: http://tomerceg.googlepages.com/flagstaff.kmz

We had our last serious day of climbing for awhile, riding from Cottonwood through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, and finally ending up in Flagstaff.

As previously advertised, this ride was perhaps the nicest of the 3 days in the hills. We warmed up with high desert and open spaces as we approached the red rocks of Sedona. Here's proof that I am actually riding my bike, and not just talking about it.


Sedona is unique. The setting is simply astonishing, with the red rocks everywhere and panoramic views for as far as the eye can see. It's a town full of visual treats. It's also yuppie heaven, with loads of galleries and coffee houses and crystal shops. It would be fun to spend a couple of days here and just bump around checking out the sights. More than that might be a bit much. We spent a really long time at a coffee house that had a deck overlooking the red rock mesas. It's a simply spectacular setting. we could have hung out there all day long but there was still work to do. We got riding again and headed into Oak Creek Canyon.

The route sheet for today's ride made specific mention of a steep 2.2 mile climb at the end of the canyon. Lisa told us that she was going to take the SAG and skip that hill. Even after what she had accomplished the last two days she was still scared of this climb. I of course was having none of that. I told her that I would ride with one leg and kick her in the butt with the other leg if that was what it took, but she WAS going to ride up that hill. More on that later.

Oak Creek Canyon is a largely undiscovered treasure. There are more red rock areas, steep cliffs, and dense forests. One moment you are riding through beautiful pine forests. Then you'll round a corner and you can literally reach out and touch the canyon walls. Round another corner and you may have a drop of several hundred feet. The variety of the scenery in this canyon is simply remarkable.

So we got to the base of the steep section. I asked Lisa to give me a big GRRR. She let out a little girl grrr. The testosterone thing wasn't really working for her. Instead, the three of us did a yell of "1-2-3 BAKERY!", and away we went. Riding with girls is a little different.

As I fully expected she charged right up the hill. It was steep, averaging 6-7% the whole way up, with sections approaching 10%. We stopped a couple of times to look over the railing at the switchbacks below us.


As we rounded the final corner we saw Clark, one of the terrific staff members on this trip. He let out a celebratoty holler for us. We rode into the scenic view spot where the SAG was located, just elated at what we'd done. Hugs all around! Here is a shot from the rest area. Click on the picture to get a larger image. The straight line in the middle is the road running through the bottom of the canyon. That's where we had started.

In addition to the incredible views, this rest area had Native American craftwork on sale at tables just past the parking lot. Interesting stuff. Laurie would have loved all the earrings. The artists themselves were working some of the booths.

We finished up the week's riding with a short rolling uphill ride into Flagstaff. The group is all feeling strong and happy with what we've accomplished this week. We have a rest day tomorrow, but I'm ready to keep going. As we pulled into the parking lot of the hotel Lisa hollered out "this is the best week of my life!" I know how she feels.