Sedona Arizona Desert Winter Mountain Biking Tour

While your local trails are snow covered, join us for Saguaros, sunshine, Sedona and single track! Our trip begins in the Sonoran Desert with a wide variety of trails to suit intermediate to advanced riders before transferring to Sedona to finish out the week. The number of amazing trails to be found north of Scottsdale, AZ will astound you with over 200-miles of new single track opening in the last 5-years. Winter days often reach 70-degrees and the riding is fast and flowy. Next up we head to Sedona a red rock playground of slickrock, hard packed silt and ledge filled rides. Even better, this all takes place beneath soaring sandstone cliffs and an azure blue sky. Well known by sightseers and new age spiritualists, Sedona is also home to some of the best mountain biking in the country.

Available: November 1 - April 30. This program is a SELF GUIDED and is available in Winter only or according to desert weather. We also offer a Sedona adventure in summer time and can customize Sedona to any time of the year. This trip can also be made guided at any time.

Day 1: arrival - meet in Scottsdale at AOA-Pure offices

10 am meet in Scottsdale at AOA-Pure offices for bike set up, orientation, and bike carrier install. You will also meet with your trip consultant to review all of you planned rides and reservations (arrive by own rental car). On the way to your Resort, get on your bikes and ride! Nearby is the Brown’s Ranch Trail system, a great way to start out and test your bike and skills on the desert terrain. None of the recommended routes are technical, but riding can be from 1-4 hours. Lodging: Carefree Resort Riding: 8-miles +

Day 2: Scottsdale Desert Riding - Moderate 20+ miles; 2-4 hours

At your leisure, get up and roll out again to the Tom’s Thumb trailhead. From here, you can descend into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and McDowell Mountain Park. You have a nice long descent but careful, your return is back up the same way! Smooth trails and long rides possible today. 2-4 hours + Lodging: Carefree Resort Riding: 20-miles +

Day 3: Scottsdale Desert Riding - Moderate 16+ miles; 2-4 hours

By car, load your bikes up and travel to Spur Cross Ranch in nearby Cave Creek for a slightly more challenging ride with some rockier sections of trail. Another option is to ride Trail 100 in central Phoenix which offers great city views in this massive park in the middle of the city. Sections of this trail are also challenging. Count on 2-4 hours of riding today. Lodging: Carefree Resort Riding: 16-miles +

Day 4: Sedona and Black Canyon - Moderate 12+ miles; 1-3 hours

Up early, packed and ready to get to Sedona we have a fantastic ride stop for you on the way! Hit the now famous Black Canyon Trail for an out-and-back ride that includes mostly smooth trail with a lot of punchy climbs and some hillside overlooks. (1-3+ hours) After your ride, load the bikes and make the 1.5 hour drive to Sedona. Our lodging tonight has been carefully selected in Oak Creek Village, well away from the tourists and T-shirt shops of uptown and right next to some of the area’s best trails. Lodging: Red Agave Resort Riding: 12-miles +

Day 5: Sedona Slick Rock - Moderate 12 miles; 2+ hours

After breakfast get ready to ride, but here in Sedona the condition are different and we provide another orientation. You will be met by our local mountain bike guide who will go over the rides and answer any questions. For starters and as a warm up for more novice-intermediate riders we recommend the Big Park Loop. Accessed right across the street from our lodge, this short loop is a great introduction to Sedona riding complete with killer views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. After lunch we suggest exploring the ungulate trails: Little Horse and llama. Again, head just across the street and follow the Bell Rock Pathway going North to the beginning of singletrack bliss. Tonight we have you covered with suggestions for some of Sedona’s best post-ride dining experiences. Lodging: Red Agave Studio Suite (Chalet Upgrades available) Riding: 12-miles +

Day 6: Sedona Red Rocks - Moderate 19 miles; 3+ hours

This morning we head right out the back of the resort and follow the Templeton Trail as it contours along an incredible slickrock bench at the base of stunning Cathedral Rock. After a steep downhill take a break and stack some rocks or take swim at Buddha Beach before completing the loop. Next up on the opposite side of the creek is the Carroll Canyon Trails with lots of ups, downs, and great views - don’t forget your camera. This evening head into Sedona’s uptown for some of the most distinctive shopping and dining experiences to be found in the Southwest. Galleries and unique shops live in harmony with the natural environment. It would be hard to find more beautiful surroundings anywhere to enjoy an evening on the town.
Lodging: Red Agave Studio Suite (Chalet Upgrades available) Riding: 19-miles +

Day 7: Last Ride & Depart, 8 miles, 1-2 hours

Spin beneath Steamboat Rock on the Jim Thompson trail and explore the Soldiers Pass Area before grabbing a celebratory lunch in uptown Sedona. After lunch it is a short 1.5 hours south to your bike drop and the Phoenix Airport.

Tour Details

Dates: November 1 - April 30. This is a Self Guided tour which offers total freedom of dates - you can choose whatever dates you wish. We can price this tour to operate with as few as 2 persons but can go up to larger groups of 12.You form your own group and choose your dates. Please contact us with questions about your group or departure date: Our Contact.

Level 3 or up to 5 - The mountain biking in these regions are rideable by most experienced cyclists; beginners not recommended. There is enough moderate terrain to fill the itinerary but very challenging options exist for strong, technical riders.

Options

Ride options - longer/shorter on some days
Scottsdale add ons
Custom tours for groups, Hotel lodging, more

Other Tour Details: This is a self-drive tour; we will fit your car with a bike rack at the first meeting and cover all the route info throughout. Your car rental is not included; but we can make arrangements with advance notice.

Upgraded rooms possible, please inquire at time of booking.

High performance bike upgrade ($125-175 per bike) Giant Anthem and Trek Superfly AL 100

ADD ONS: combine some road riding routes or Multisport adventures: combine hiking, kayaking, horse back riding, and so many other adventures! We can build you a perfect package!

About the riding: while this is a mountain biking trip, the riding can be almost entirely free of technical obstacles. Options for more technical rides exist. We encourage riders who have some mountain bike riding experience to join, but it isn't for someone with no mountain bike experience. As a mountain bike tour, we rate this moderate to challenging - there are options for most all levels.