[PTCbiker]

I asked this question on the boards for Bentonville and had good luck, so trying again.

We’re going to Sedona in last week of March and looking for a house to rent for a week. Proximity to trails is nice, hot tub a bonus.

Is there a certain spot to go? I’ve been there once for a short stay and I biked West Sedona. I’m thinking Thunder Mtn or Bell Rock could be good places to stay?

 

[bronxbomber252]

Stuff in Village of Oak Creek will be cheaper than in Sedona proper and will be very close to Bell Rock, Hiline, Slim Shady, etc… easy drive into town as well.

 

[915654]

FYI
Marriott has a option also:

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[rockman]

The chalets at the Red Agave used to be the go-to for Village of Oak Creek. Especially when Bike and Bean was in it's heyday. It's right there at the terminus of Slim Shady and Made and the Shade. Red Agave Adventure Resort | The Trail

 

[PTCbiker]

The chalets at the Red Agave used to be the go-to for Village of Oak Creek. Especially when Bike and Bean was in it's heyday. It's right there at the terminus of Slim Shady and Made and the Shade. Red Agave Adventure Resort | The Trail

Appears to be sold out for all of spring, no availability.

 

[PTCbiker]

Any other websites I should be looking at? Airbnb and vrbo have limited availability and few properties right on a trailhead.

 

[834905]

Sedona is always going to have limited options that time of year, unless you book way ahead. The places right next to the THs are probably the first to go honestly. You'd have a lot more options if you were willing to stay in Flag and drive to Sedona for riding. Flag is a lot more fun for the non-riding parts of the trip anyways imo.

Just a thought.

 

[rockman]

Just find a place you like. You can pretty much ride to any of the trails on surface streets in 10 or 20 min. Traffic will be nutz by late March anyway. The only caveat is it will be difficult to cross Oak Creek at pinky toes at Crescent Moon/Red Rock Crossing (if March is wet like it is in most years).

There's more riding on the north side of Oak Creek or West Sedona although the VOC side has some of the best tech if that's your jam.

 

[PTCbiker]

We picked a place in uptown, looks like the area I can ride to is Soldiers Pass. I’ll definitely go south and ride slim shady too.

Do you guys think a blue/black rider can tackle HiLine? I have no problem with slim shady and ground control but hiline looks sketchy. I don’t mind walking stuff I’m not sure of but don’t want to walk a quarter mile at a time.

 

[habsfan]

Absolutely. There are a few sketch sections that most mortals walk. I'm an old bastard and I enjoy the bulk of it.

 

[rockman]

We picked a place in uptown, looks like the area I can ride to is Soldiers Pass. I’ll definitely go south and ride slim shady too.

Do you guys think a blue/black rider can tackle HiLine? I have no problem with slim shady and ground control but hiline looks sketchy. I don’t mind walking stuff I’m not sure of but don’t want to walk a quarter mile at a time.

It really comes down to the risk-reward. There's 3 spots you'll want to look at and scout before riding them blind. If your ok committing then they are not really that difficult for an advanced rider. Or follow someone but lots of skilled riders just flash it their first time. And that's strictly the DH section at the end. The upper 2/3 of the descent is totally worth it even if you have to walk the last 300' of vert on the bottom 1/3. Just my 2 cents but I'm an old gummer and clean it more often than not. There are no mandatory hucks. Hangover is much harder with far more exposure.

You can make some fun loops in the Soldier's area. Add to it by hitting the bike park and then making your way up to Sugarloaf and take Anadante out towards Chimney Rock and come back on Thunder Mountain and then Teacup. I prefer clockwise with Javelina and Adobe Jack but they are all fun in either direction.

Another ride from uptown is to ride west on 89 (or use the trails described above) and hit the Carrol Canyon stuff and make your way back on Bandit>Airport>Brewer. I think Airport on the north side rides better west to east and then you get arguably the best sustained DH in sedona on Brewer. Tons of options from uptown including Hangover. After Hangover you could ride Huckaby to Jim Thompson although the latter two trails are not that compelling. Scenic for sure and old classics but don't get ridden that much anymore. Check the Oak Creek levels if you do that one. Have fun!

 

[escrowdog]

We picked a place in uptown, looks like the area I can ride to is Soldiers Pass. I’ll definitely go south and ride slim shady too.

Do you guys think a blue/black rider can tackle HiLine? I have no problem with slim shady and ground control but hiline looks sketchy. I don’t mind walking stuff I’m not sure of but don’t want to walk a quarter mile at a time.

I went up Hiline by myself one day, with the notion that if I wasn't comfortable with anything I'd just walk it...and I did. It's a beautiful area and fantastic views up there. Go check it out. You'll do some walking (maybe a lot), but you'll also do a lot of riding and see some stuff that let you know just what level of rider you truly are. I'd love to be up there and see some guys ride a few of those spots live. I'm 54 and have already busted myself up enough in this life, but wow some of those lines are impressive!

 

[PTCbiker]

I went up Hiline by myself one day, with the notion that if I wasn't comfortable with anything I'd just walk it...and I did. It's a beautiful area and fantastic views up there. Go check it out. You'll do some walking (maybe a lot), but you'll also do a lot of riding and see some stuff that let you know just what level of rider you truly are. I'd love to be up there and see some guys ride a few of those spots live. I'm 54 and have already busted myself up enough in this life, but wow some of those lines are impressive!

Good advice, I'm definitely hitting slim shady and Hiline and I'll walk sketchy stuff to check it out before riding it. And if I don't like the line I took, I'll double back and ride it again.

Just booked an Evil The Following at Thunder Mountain bikes for a couple days...can't wait! I get to see what a $6,000 bike feels like.

 

[escrowdog]

Not sure if you've found a house yet, if not, check on the Sedona Real Inn. Used to stay there before I had a house in AZ. The double room we had was great (for 2 riders), very spacious, good location, great breakfast, bike clean up area, etc.

 

[rockman]

Good advice, I'm definitely hitting slim shady and Hiline and I'll walk sketchy stuff to check it out before riding it. And if I don't like the line I took, I'll double back and ride it again.

Just booked an Evil The Following at Thunder Mountain bikes for a couple days...can't wait! I get to see what a $6,000 bike feels like.

Consider bumping up to the Offering or Wreckoning. Or a Revel Rail or Rascal. The Following will be under-gunned in Sedona unless your mainly riding the Dry Creek area. Just my 2cents but I ride an Offering. A short-travel 29r will work fine but you'll appreciate more travel, especially when riding consecutive days. 10 miles in Sedona feels like 20 most anywhere else.