[tattoooo]

Is there an "easy" version of Sedona? Somewhere that I could take two to three riders who are pretty new, not in the best of shape, but that they could still have fun?

I bought the GF a 575 for Christmas, and have been working her slowly into it. We've been riding the canals with a couple friends of ours who are just as new as she is. I want to take her, and them, up to Sedona for a Saturday ride, stay the night, get up Sunday, go to Jerome sort of trip.

Any suggestions? They're GREEN. I am going to take her up to Papago here pretty soon, but that might prove ugly.

 

[Jayem]

A LOT of the trails up there have sections that are technical/small ledges, stuff that I know would freak out someone that is truly a beginner. Bell-Rock pathway (not singletrack) is probably the best bet and would definitely work, although it even has a few little rocky sections, but they are very tame. On the other hand, usually such riders aren't down for a huge multi-hour ride, but I'd have to think there are trail networks in Phoenix that are better about having "rolling smooth singletrack" without obstacles and stuff. I could name a few other trails that are "mostly" smooth and singletrack, but many of them have a few sections that could be potentially disasterous for a beginner. I know that my idea of "beginner" terrain is usually not the same as someone who's just started in the sport, so I'm trying to take the beginner's perspective. Hopefully traildoc will chime in with some recommendations.

 

[kenbentit]

Bell Rock is the 1st thing I think of as well. If they feel good about that trail then you could try riding the trail off Soldier Pass (heads to the Wilderness boundary). It's been a while since I rode it but remember it being pretty mellow...

 

[zul]

Bell Rock Pathway is the spot for beginners in Sedona. Once you make the climb to the Bell, we always ditch the bikes and walk up and onto the Bell. It's wilderness on the Bell but makes for a spectacular view walking around 'above the trees'. It also adds some length to the beginner experience, making the ride more worth while.

After the break, you will be close to the Llama trail. Take it and roll downhill for about 1/4 mile where it T's... turn Right. Keep rolling downhill for another 1/4 mile until another T in a large dry wash ... turn Left and the single track will bring you back to the Bell Rock Path. The Llama portion would provide some bonifide single track, flat slickrock and rolling downhill.

Bike and Bean can provide some additional detail and a map. This is where I take noob-beginners that want to improve as this area has all types of tracks, bailouts and several slickrock pattys to break or play.

:thumbsup: 575, she's gotta love that! :thumbsup:

 

[traildoc]

Bell Rock is the 1st thing I think of as well. If they feel good about that trail then you could try riding the trail off Soldier Pass (heads to the Wilderness boundary). It's been a while since I rode it but remember it being pretty mellow...

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=970231

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=970171

 

[zul]

Always forgetting about the Big Park Loop.

Hey - Isn't there a celeb birthday comming up ??

 

[traildoc]

Always forgetting about the Big Park Loop.

Hey - Isn't there a celeb birthday comming up ??

zul:

People like you and I try and give tourons good advice because we want them to have the best user experience that they can get from the Sedona mountain biking trail system. It would be nice to get some FEEDBACK from those riders we make our reccomendations to, so we can see whether our advise was good or off the mark.

TD

 

[raisingarizona]

Dead Mans is pretty easy.

 

[CrankyMonkey]

ARMOR! ARMOR! ARMOR! ARMOR! ARMOR! ARMOR! I can't say that enough. If you love your GF (or at least want to keep her around for a while) get her some ARMOR! That's the big mistake I made when I took my wife to Sedona for her first ride. She fell hard and now I'm looking to sell her bike.

 

[traildoc]

Dead Mans is pretty easy.

I agree, but I have taken beginner riders on Deadman's when I thought it was easy and they refused to give me a nickel tip. They walked the climbs and descents that I warned them about before the ride. Now I don't recommend Deadman's before I get a report back how they did on Bell Rock Pathway.

TD

 

[rrivas11]

Not to be insensitive, but what kind of bike are you looking to sell? Hope that she is all right!

 

[raisingarizona]

I agree, but I have taken beginner riders on Deadman's when I thought it was easy and they refused to give me a nickel tip. They walked the climbs and descents that I warned them about before the ride. Now I don't recommend Deadman's before I get a report back how they did on Bell Rock Pathway.

TD

Good point, start with BRP.

 

[tattoooo]

I have her in a set of Roach knee/shin pads and some 661 vegi guards for her elbows. She has issues with stairs, so I spend some coin on the armor.