Flagstaff

In 2010, not a single trip was made to Flagstaff. Granted, we made the inaugural run to Durango, the first of many (hopefully) truly epic ride trips. But Flag is near home and doable as an up and back. Up as in, up I-17 and back as in back after a hearty meal. Which can be anything from an artichoke and chicken pizza to panang curry, depending on the mood.

The biking scene is well established in Flag, and there are numerous maps showing trails and descriptions. Since a considerable amount of time had elapsed from our last trip [link] it was decided we would do the standard run. That meant an hour or so grind up Elden road.

It never looks as steep in the 2D version of life called a photograph. That is a granny gear grind up that road. About 1,800 feet in about 4 miles.

Kev was fighting a little upset stomach, most likely due to some anti-inflammatory meds taken as a precautionary measure. You see, he twisted his back last weekend, and wanted make sure a ride would happen this weekend. So, his nick for the day was Naproxen Gut, always right on the verge of doing something.

We top out, take a look around, refuel a bit and hit the trail.

One of the favorite sections of trail is a little piece called Hobbit Forest. A little piece of rolling, lumpy goodness which rewards the “pick n place” type of rider. Pick a line, place your wheel in it and roll. It twists though the forest, kinda just meandering along. It might be doable as a fall line type trail, but that would be missing the point, and there is Wasabi if that style is to your liking.

Little bit of dappled sunlight filtering through the trees and many hoots echo amongst them. In Moab [link], E started doing a little video work with the iPhone. Fun, and lets you review the section.

The flora and fauna were out in all their summer splendor, and in particular a horny toad. Which, really isn’t a toad at all, but the Western Horned Lizard. Pretty cool little critters, and maybe even the long lost remnants of the stegosaurus.

A little more ride, the roller coaster swoop through the trees, Sunset then Schultz Creek trail, perma-grin and eyes watering as the trees zip by. I think this is what the Stormtroopers actually thought while riding the Endor speeders.

It was a good, wet winter, a lot of snow fall and now the ferns are plentiful. However, it has been awhile since a good rain and as such, the trails are quite dusty. At the end of the ride, that meant - Insta-Tan!

So, so good. But wait there’s more, as the announcer booms. It’s lunch time, and Oregano’s beckons. A deep dish, onion, marinated chicken, pizza.

That’s good livin’.