11 A Little Slice of “Slickrock” in Sedona, Az

Come away, my [beloved], and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.Song of Solomon 8:14 NKJV

Red-rock, mesquite trees, canyons, blue skies, and an unforgiving sun–that describes Sedona, Arizona in the summer. Outside the city limits, there exist bike and jeep trails that meander over red-rock, across desert floors, over hills, up and around cliffs, eventually leading to Oak Creek Canyon.  Sedona offers spectacular mountain-bike rides in the summer; Fall and Winter riding in Sedona brings its own splendor as well, with magnificent sunrises and awe inspiring sunsets. It is one of the best places to set two fat tires down and ride!

Some people say it is a “a little slice of Slickrock, Utah” placed in Arizona—and that is exactly the sense I got while riding in Sedona. Sunrises and sunsets reached across the horizon with brilliant color, stretching as far as the eye could see.  Markers along the trails beckon riders onward. On summer rides with friends, quiet breaks consisted of group-huddles in the limited shade found under low mesquite trees.Those pauses usually only lasted a couple of minutes; riders knew they needed to ride skillfully, and as fast as possible to escape the summer heat.  

I love the way mountain biking leads away from busy city streets and crowded stores. I was always grateful to ride the morning away, rest and relax during the hottest part of the afternoon at camp, and then to stroll the famous streets of Sedona in the early evenings. 

This particular bike-club trip alternated between Sedona and Flagstaff rides. It was a great way to spend 10 days; we’d peddle beautiful Sedona trails interwoven with Flagstaff’s fragrant pine needles, and rush of fast, downhill single tracks.

It’s no wonder Sedona, Arizona is one of the 10 top “getaway destinations” for people around the world. Mountain-biking led me to this beautiful “gift” in the desert.

Lord, as I encounter the beauty of your creation, enjoy the exhilaration of riding the trails and seeing the views and spectacular splashes of color in the sky at sunrise, may I sense you beckoning me to seek your face—to search for you with all my heart. 

Challenge 11: It’s time to change up the scenery, find a new trail, go to a different coffee shop, or read a new book.  Mountain biking is an awesome sport, but it’s good for the brain to jump into a new adventure, even if it is only for a day.