| Of the many superb Arizona mountain biking | | | | offers more experienced riders the challenge |
| areas, Sedona - approximately 80 miles North | | | | of the many intersections crossing the trail. |
| of Phoenix - is destined to become a major | | | | There is enough technical difficulty to |
| attraction for bikers.While still relatively | | | | necessitate some walking!You can also visit |
| undiscovered and uncrowded, it offers | | | | the Red Rock State Park, 5 miles west of |
| spectacular biking trails for novices and | | | | Sedona, with its diverse wildlife and |
| experienced riders alike.Although, at an | | | | vegetation that turns a bike ride into |
| altitude 4500 feet, Sedona is free of the | | | | something special. This is one the Arizona |
| severe desert heat of southern Arizona, it is | | | | mountain biking must-see regions.If you are a |
| wise to do you biking in the early morning. | | | | fairly experienced mountain biker, you can |
| No Arizona mountain biking trail should be | | | | try the Broken Arrow trail which starts just |
| attempted without carrying plenty of water. | | | | 1.5 miles from downtown Sedona.This Arizona |
| Sedona also escapes the northern mountain | | | | mountain biking trail leads into some of the |
| snows, making it ideal for mountain | | | | most scenic basins in the area, with views of |
| biking.Sedona is located at the mouth of Oak | | | | features such as Submarine Rock, Twine |
| Creek Canyon, and at the center of the | | | | Buttes, and Gibraltar. It links up with the |
| legendary Red Rock Country. This unique blend | | | | Little Horse trail, and later goes on to the |
| of mountain and desert offers Arizona | | | | Bell Rock Pathway.Most of the Broken Arrow |
| mountain biking scenery at its best!There are | | | | trail is hard-packed and fast, with some |
| a number of informative Arizona mountain | | | | sandstone sections giving excellent traction. |
| biking books available to serve as your guide | | | | While there isn't much climbing, some of the |
| to trails, lodgings, restaurants, and | | | | short, steep sections will remind you that |
| shopping. One of the most popular is | | | | you are on an Arizona mountain biking |
| 'Experience Sedona'. Finding a detailed map | | | | route!Good quality rental bikes are available |
| of the area should be at the top of your list | | | | in Sedona, as well as parts, accessories, and |
| when you arrive.If you are new to the sport, | | | | clothing. With your rental, you can expect to |
| and to Arizona mountain biking in particular, | | | | get a helmet, pump, repair kit, spare tube, |
| guided tours offer a safe learning | | | | choice of pedals, and a personalized fit. |
| experience. Make your reservation, and you | | | | Everything is geared to make your Arizona |
| will soon be more knowledgeable about the | | | | mountain biking experience memorable.Bike |
| environment, and your biking performance. The | | | | choices include the Specialized Enduro Expert |
| main advantage is that you will be able to | | | | Demo Bike, the Giant Reign Demo Bike, and the |
| concentrate on enjoying your ride, knowing | | | | Giant Iguana. Rental fees are between $30 and |
| that your guide is familiar with the | | | | $70 per day, depending on the period of |
| intricacies of the surroundings.Arizona | | | | use.The U.S. Forest Service recommends a |
| mountain biking tours are designed around | | | | number of other trails in the Sedona area, as |
| premier trails, with packages including rides | | | | part of your Arizona mountain biking |
| from 2 to 6 hours, and a rental bike. A half | | | | experience. These include Big Park Loop, |
| day tour may take you to Bell Rock Pathway, | | | | Caruth Trail, Red Rock State Park, Girdner |
| Cathedral Rock Loop or Schnebley Hill, and | | | | Trail, and Baldwin Trail. The trails are all |
| Munds Wagon.If you prefer to discover the | | | | in the easy to moderate range. The Dead Horse |
| secrets of Sedona on your own, you can take a | | | | State Park Trail offers easy to strenuous |
| leisurely ride through the Ponderosa Pine | | | | riding.Arizona mountain biking offerings are |
| forests. If you want more excitement, tackle | | | | rich and varied. Whichever trail you choose, |
| the steep switchbacks and the slickrock | | | | you are sure to be returning for more!For |
| single tracks, all the while enjoying the | | | | more information visit |
| breath-taking views and incredible scenery of | | | | Best-Mountain-Biking.comRika Susan of |
| the Red Rock basins. You will discover that a | | | | researches, writes, and publishes full-time |
| camera is a must on all Arizona mountain | | | | on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 |
| biking trails!A popular trail in this | | | | Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if |
| beautiful Arizona mountain biking area is the | | | | the resource box - including the link - is |
| Bell Rock Pathway. The ride along rolling | | | | left intact. |
| terrain is excellent for beginners, but also | | | | |