Kick Ass Guide to Sedona
Trails, Food, Beer, and Live Music
The sun broke and I woke. I decided to warm up to “Sedona miles” over by Chimney Rock and Thunder Mountain, clipping off the Teacups and then going up to see the 7 Sacred Pools before going down Adobe Jack.
The sshhh and I ain’t telling you trailhead was empty of cars in the parking lot. Click and another click and I was locked in and off, feeling the energy that is Sedona.
New wave?
New age?
Hippie?
Vortexes?
Hell, no, and of course, yes. All wrapped up into one.
The wheels on the bike go round and round, round and round, round and round.
Human energy flows through the body and into the crankset.
Coffee already pepperin’ my blood as I passed by Coffee Pot.
It had been a bit of time since I last went down Adobe Jack, taking some of the other options when there those other times. It was a hoot. Fun, fast, with a few stomp-the-pedals stretches of beautiful red ribbon.
Back to the trailhead via the road.
Day 2.
Back at the trailhead of the lesser-known kind, I set out on the typical west side tour. Connecting into Lizard, I made way towards Chuckwagon where I had to slice my way around the Devil’s Bridge foot-goers until the point where they go that way and the mountain bikers go not that way. I love the hinterlands of Chuckwagon.
Mescal Trail made me happy, like it always does. The ocotillos were greening up. With the red rock and blue sky with clouds, the color palette that is Sedona was on full display. Oh, and there were wildflowers poppin’ along the way, little yellow ones serving as joy-makers.
Never better.
Amiright?!
Across the backside after Mescal, going in the direction of Doe. Dawa to Cypress to Two Fence, or something like that and back to the trailhead. I was a little bit on the clock and so cut off the Doe Mountain loop I usually do.
All good.
Day 3. How could you go to Sedona and not ride Slim Shady? I dunno, I never have! Slim to Templeton and down to Easy Breezy where the new Hard Line connects in.
Easy to Bell to Llama and back to Bell and whatever the trail name connectors are through all that and back to the parking area.
I needed and got my Sedona fix. Is there anything better than feelin’ an actual full-body workout/mountain biking getaway where/when all your muscles are tight/a little sore … and you are smiling the entire time?!
Rocks. Drops. Tech. Power moves. Splendid scenergy.
Scenergy?
Yep.
Beer
Above is a blurry phone photo of Thunder Mountain from Redwall Distillery and Lounge. Somehow, over the years, I’d never heard of/been there. I went twice on this trip. Beer, wine, in-house liquor, food, live music on some days, and one of the best views in Sedona. Get there early for sunset.
Vino di Sedona on the west side of Sedona is a go-to place for me. Wine? Well — the tap list in that place is outstanding. I had Old Raspy on nitro, for goodness’ sake. Live music most nights, food, and well, wine.
Mooney’s Irish Pub south of the downtown area is where you go if you’re a night owl. It’s the only place in town open until 2 AM. Apparently, it’s where restaurant staff and chefs hang out after service.
Two breweries … I’ve never been impressed with either of them. They’ll do but I doubt you’ll be wow-ed. Meh. I did stop in at the base camp one on the west side, which has a great view of Thunder, but the price I paid was outrageous, meaning more than San Diego prices for beer.
Food
I’m often a grocery store deli buyer, along with any burrito/taco shop. To offer a few places of the pizza realm in Sedona, check out:
Gerardo’s for wood-fired pizza. If you can sit at the bar, you can watch them fire your ‘za.
Famous Pizza and Beer. Westside and Oak Creek. A Sedona standard. It’ll provide you what you need. Calories.
Elote Cafe for “high-end” southwestern/Mexican. I’ve been going for years. I finally got in at the new place in the downtown area. Adrian was still tending bar. Hadn’t seen him since before the pandemic. Smiling face. Fresh-squeezed margarita.
Miley’s Cafe in Oak Creek for breakfast. I like this little spot.
Bike shops
Thunder Mountain Bikes on the west side. Can’t go wrong here. They know what they’re doing.
Sedona Bike and Bean in Oak Creek. A Sedona classic/originator. So much history there.
Absolut Bikes is across the street from Bike and Bean. Why not check it out?
The Kick Ass Guide Series is inspired by Shanna’s Kick Ass Cogs (and Rings) at Endless Bikes Co. I asked if I could use the “Kick Ass” part for naming the series, as the guides are set up to be about single speed riding. She graciously and immediately said, hell yeah! Check out what she offers at:
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Scenery. Perfect! Great bloggery, Jim!! Love your photos. Thank you!
I ride Sedona pretty much every fall and spring. Agree, local beer is very average. My strategy? Immediately hit Safeway and fill the cooler with Mother Road Tower Station. Outstanding IPA from Flag!