[stygz1]

I am going to be in the Phoenix area the first week of July. I was thinking of driving to Sedona and renting a bike and maybe get a tour by hermosa. I believe Sedona is higher country is it going to be rideable factoring the heat? What do I need to know or be prepared for? Also thought about the flagstaff area also but wanted to ride slick rock type terrain as I never have before. Probably going to rent a rip 9, one of the shops rents them I guess.

 

[Douger-1]

You can ride where ever you want. I ride in the Phoenix area all year long but be prepared to be up early and finish early (I usually have to be done by 9:30am) that time of the year. Take your hydration serious and plan for bail points even if you dont think you would need them for your typical riding distance. Not every mile is created equal and many trails in AZ and Sedona for that matter can have you thinking you have been riding much farther than you really have.

 

[Maadjurguer]

If you're coming from somewhere hot in the summer like us, then you can prolly roll Sedona all day long. If you're not, shoot for early morning. The rocks radiate heat during the day, so it will feel hotter than the air temp forecast indicates. Otherwise, head up the hill to Flagstaff and ride in the pines and aspen.

 

[stygz1]

I should be used to the heat, I am coming from middle Georgia and work on a flightline. I am thinking I may go for a tour ride as I would not want to get lost. As far as Flagstaff goes anyone have a line on where to rent a bike?

 

[owtdorz]

Absolute bikes rents.
As far as getting lost.
Stick with well used trails and you'll be fine.

 

[happyriding]

I would not want to get lost.

Not really possible in Sedona. Get a trail map if you want extra security.

 

[metalaficionado]

You can try riding Hang Over at night.. if you feel suicidal.

 

[stygz1]

Bike rentals in flagstaff?

 

[owtdorz]

Bike rentals in flagstaff?

Absolute Bikes Flagstaff

 

[eatdrinkride]

I'll be surprised if there is anyone offering bike tours in Sedona in the middle of day in July. Its hot as hell.

I'd suggest going a little further up the hill to Flagstaff or hit the Sedona trails at sunrise so you can bail when you feel like it.

 

[stygz1]

ok...I will lean more towards flagstaff. I think the drive is about the same. What should the temps be like at that time of year?

 

[dbflg]

ok...I will lean more towards flagstaff. I think the drive is about the same. What should the temps be like at that time of year?

Flagstaff climate: FLAGSTAFF WSO AP, ARIZONA - Climate Summary

Sedona climate: SEDONA RANGER STN, ARIZONA - Climate Summary

-db-

 

[GilaMonster]

Flagstaff annual temps.

View attachment 888484

Sedona annual temps.

View attachment 888485

Hell. It's actually much cooler than Arizona. Temps in Celsius.

View attachment 888486

Hell, Norway that is.

 

[GilaMonster]

I would add that there is a chance that monsoon season may have kicked in to gear by the time of your visit, and Sedona during monsoon season is pretty awesome.

 

[stygz1]

Wow I just realized it has been 14 years since I was stationed in AZ. Looking forward to riding there. Too bad I cant take my new niner.....I am to worried it would get lost or damaged in transit.

 

[metalaficionado]

Yeah, July is a shitty time to ride anywhere AZ.

Colorado on the other hand....

 

[GilaMonster]

If you want to see Sedona in July, I'll show you around. What level of tech are you hoping for?

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[Jayem]

Pretty much no, the red rock reflects the sun and it ends up feeling just as hot as Phoenix. It may be 115° in Phoenix and it will "only" be 105 or so in Sedona, maybe only low 100s at highest reaches, but the lack of shade-providing trees and the rock will make it brutal.

Flagstaff has outstanding riding, like Tahoe and Colorado, similar climate, similar vegetation, etc, it's well worth riding there.

If you still really really want to do it, then start on the trail around 5am. There are no rides totally "on slickrock" like moab, but most trails include significant rock sections of course and there are lots of epic rides to choose from there (like many places in AZ).

 

[eatdrinkride]

Pretty much no, the red rock reflects the sun and it ends up feeling just as hot as Phoenix. It may be 115° in Phoenix and it will "only" be 105 or so in Sedona, maybe only low 100s at highest reaches, but the lack of shade-providing trees and the rock will make it brutal.
).

I completely agree.

As a long time Phoenix rider I am very used to riding in the heat. A few summers ago the expected temperature here in Phoenix was going to be 110 degrees. We decided to head up to Sedona where we figured at 4000 feet we would have an easy time riding. Although the high temp only reached 102 degrees that day we rode starting at 10 a.m. and it was absolutely miserable by 1 p.m. It was hot as hell with all the reflected heat and the lack of shade like you said.

OP I think you should just play it by ear. If its going to be 100 degrees that weekend then maybe head up to Flagstaff. If the temperature is only going to be 88 or 90 degrees then your options are open.

 

[GilaMonster]

OP, like a lot of fellow riders are saying, it is likely to be hot (90s) during the day. But crimony, it's AZ for crying out loud. Flag is great too, and at 7000+ feet, it will definitely be cooler. But like I said earlier, if Sedona is getting its daily thunderstorms by July 4 (a distinct possibility), they tend to cool things off by tens of degrees and make for awesome afternoon riding. People do actually ride bikes in Sedona in the sumnertime. Ride in the morning until you're hot and the storms roll in, grab lunch at any number of good restaurants during the rain, and ride hero dirt in the afternoon. And if you can stay for two days, by all means hit Flagstaff. Or skip Sedona altogether. No offense to the other AZ riders who have offered some good advice, but your original question was about Sedona, and while it will be hot, it is not at all unridable, and myself having grown up in Montgomery and remember how hot it got there, there is no suffocating 90% humidty here when it's in the 90s here. I've lived and ridden in Phoenix year-round since 1993. Sedona is perfectly ridable in July. You'll sweat your ass off climbing, and be grinning ear to ear on the descents. Take more water than you think you'll need (100 oz per 15-20 miles is reasonable). Hope you enjoy your trip. That is all.

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