Tag Archives: Sedona

Coconino Stage Bikepack – Arizona Endurance Series

Coconino Stage Bikepack

IMG_4963

When:
October 11-14, 2024

Where:
We will be meeting on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 7:00am in Flagstaff, downtown at ‘The Place’ (21 S Milton Rd). We eat a big greasy breakfast, chat a bit and then we ride! The actual starting time for the first stage (and every stage) is open-ended.

What:
The 250-mile route has about 40-50% singletrack, some of which is pretty darn technical, and about 33k of climbing. The route is: Flagstaff-Sedona-Mingus Mountain-Williams-Flagstaff. Those that have never ridden in this area, you are in for a treat!

Live tracking link will be listed at: http://trackleaders.com

Carrying a SPOT tracker is optional. You can add your own SPOT/InReach to the tracking map at the following link (email info@trackleaders.com to inquire about a rental device):

https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/long-trail

The (old) forum:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=10860.0

GPX: GPS and Cue Sheets can all be found here.  The file CLR22_v2_10k_simplified.gpx is the latest version of the route. The 2013 files are current for the cue sheets and waypoints.

For help uploading the track to your GPS see TopoFusion’s uploading tutorial.

Please note: it is very important that you upload both the GPS track (line) AND the waypoint file. The waypoints define where stages start and end, as well as help everyone regroup at the end of each stage.

Bikepacking.net route description

Self Supported Stage Bikepacking

The Coconino 250 is a self supported stage bikepack. The usual rules for self-supported bikepacking apply (see AZT 300, CTR for examples), with one exception: there are locations on the route where stopping is allowed and as long as you are there, the ride clock is not ticking.

This makes the event into a quasi-stage ride. Riders may ride from one stopping location to another, then rest the night before the next ‘stage.’ However, stopping is not required at any of the points. The option of a non-stop ride is still open.

There are 4 stages, with 3 “stage stop” locations. The first two are camp sites, with no water or other services available (but fantastic views!). The third is the town of Williams, where most racers opt to share motel rooms. You can also camp on nearby national forest, if desired.

Each rider’s time will be computed as = the total time on course minus the total time spent in designated stopping locations. Because of this it is important that you carefully log your time in and time out. Bring a piece of paper to do this, and if you can collect a GPS track for backup, even better.

The idea is to promote camaraderie, lessen the physical ‘impact’ on participants, and also experiment with a new format.

The stage stops are marked as waypoints in the course GPX file and also denoted in RED on the cue sheets.

Pictures

You can drool over some pictures on Scott’s website: http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2009/06/29/coco-ming-o-bob/

Please use the signup form below, and post in the bikepacking.net forum if you plan on attending.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS

Comments, suggestions, heckling can all be made below. Or on the forum.

Sedona Big Friggin Loop – Arizona Endurance Series

When:
March 23ish, 2023 ITT: Choose your start time/day in order to avoid having too many bikers in one area. These trails have become VERY crowded, so we are trying to spread out and have different start times/days. 

Where:
We will be starting and finishing in Oak Creek Village. Notice that the start time has changed to a choose-your-own adventure style of riding. Disperse around Oak Creek Village for parking. Afterwards, there will be a BYOB in the parking lots near Bike-n-Bean and Red Agave.

The Route:
Sedona_BFL_route

If Oak Creek is running particularly high, this route can be used. Does require a $3 fee for Red Rock State Park. Sedona_BFL_alt_route

See TopoFusion’s Tutorial on uploading GPX tracks for help loading the GPX file onto your GPS.

Route Warning:
Due to the nature of this route, I strongly advise you to have a GPS with the GPX file loaded, and some of the maps below. Sedona is generally a well-marked area, nonetheless, as you will see, there are tons of trails that deviate from the trail (unmarked most of the time). I highly recommend that you either pre-ride the trail or consider take a GPS on the route. ESPECIALLY if you are a local and think you know the trails/route, you need a GPS. It’s the only way to be sure you ride the correct course. The route doesn’t necessarily take the most obvious or most ridden connections.

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is a three-day mountain bike celebration that includes a main Expo/Festival, bike demos, shuttled rides, gear vendors, a beer garden, great bands, food trucks, skills clinics and a whole lotta sweet RED SINGLETRACK!

With over 90 vendors there are more demo bikes and more to do than any other bike demo out there. We are always working to make the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival the best event you go to all year. While the core of the event and the vibe will remain the same as previous years, we do have some tricks up our sleeve for this year. Check back for exciting announcements as we get them.

The mountain biking in Sedona is world class. Sedona has over 250 miles of killer singletrack and is a media darling having appeared in magazines countless times in the last few years. Simply put: it’s a bucket list destination and this might just be the best way to come see for yourself.

When is it?

March 8th -10th, 2024

Trail guidelines

The trail system within the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest around Sedona, AZ is one of the most special resources you’ll find anywhere. This is a trail system shared with hikers and equestrians, and our goal with this festival is to celebrate it appropriately: respect the resource, respect other trail users and generally leave a great impression of the mountain bike community which means NOT leaving our physical impression!! Everybody be smart, stay on legal system trails and let’s show the world what the mountain bike vibe is all about!!!

See what others are saying

Beta Mag: “Food trucks, beer tents and a full line-up of mountain bike films put an exclamation point on the Saturday program at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival”

The Radavist: “The mountain biking in Sedona is exceptional. Full stop. Seemingly endless trail systems spiderweb right out from the center of town, winding in, out, and around…”

Outside Magazine: “It felt like the festival was making people happier than any new bike, piece of gear, or single ride ever could.”

MTBR: “Great weather, amazing trails, and most bikes of any consumer demo event.”

Bike Magazine: “On top of being a demo event, the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is a place to walk the gravel and look at what new goodies the exhibiting brands have to offer.”

Velo News: “A handful of companies got the jump on the rest by announcing their new goodies at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival in Arizona this past weekend.”

“Great bike selections and lots of it too! It really rivaled better than dirt demo at Interbike. Music and beer and a good selection of food trucks! Lots of new vendors with great swag giveaways too! Best part is it’s open to the public unlike interbike!” – Facebook Reviewer

“Great event! Everything was well organized and there were so many demos to choose from. Next year we will spend the weekend!” – Attendee

More Press:

Want to see what the vendors look like?  Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKqNf49ifCg

Attendee: “The festival was one of the best cycling experiences I’ve had in my life. Chill vibe. Great people. Awesome trails. Bitchen food. Totally affordable. Amazing weather. The only problem is I need to wait until next March to do it again.”

Attendee: “Awesome festival! The most beautiful and challenging trails I’ve ever been on! Great people, demos, beer and music!”

Attendee: “Great times, perfect weather, well supported, awesome vibe! Can’t wait to come back and explore more trails! Thanks Sedona!”