After spending 5 days each in both Sedona, AZ and Moab, UT I can say that my next MTB trip will be to Sedona. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Easy Access
There are only a few folks on the planet that I can be in a car for more than 8 hours, so I fly. Its not a super big deal but Sedona is only a 2 hr drive from Pheonix. Moab is 4 hours from Salt Lake or 6 hours from Denver. That makes it an easy non-stop flight on Southwest or US Airways and then a 2 hour drive North. Easy.
2. Other Stuff to Do
Kebo at Out of Africa
Surprisingly I like to do other things on my trips, not just MTB all day. I like to explore and see what can be found within a 2 hour radius. I was with my family in Sedona so it was extra important to have other activities. Sedona highlights included; Slide Rock Park, Jerome the Ghost Town (touristy but go to 15 Quince for great Mexican), native ruins, Out of Africa Wildlife park, bookstores, decent restuarants, funky arts and crafts scene, Pheonix Coyotes and of course the Grand Canyon!
3. Less Motorized Traffic
Pink Jeep Tour on Broken Arrow
An older dude from Colorado blew past me on one of the Sedona trails. When I finally caught up to him at the trailhead we had a little chat. He had the same observation that there was less motorized traffic in Sedona vs. Moab. Yes there is the Pink Jeep tour on the Broken Arrow trail, but in Moab it seemed I was always coming across a jeep tour, dude on a dirt bike or a bike shuttle.
4. Trail System Close to Town
Sedona Summit
Sedona has a varied trail system that allows you to link a lot of stuff together and the trailheads are close to town. Two of the trailheads were right out the back door of the condo we stayed in (Sedona Summits). There seemed to be lots of unmarked local trails too. Definitely need more time to explore and a local guide. Plus if you do run out of trails in Sedona, there is always Flagstaff close by.
5. The Vibe
You hear people say that Moab is bigger than Sedona. It is. Moab offers lots of great, epic adventures that can last all day. However, as the MTB Mecca, Moab also seems busier. Maybe it’s the vortexes but Sedona is just more laid back and relaxed, even with all the non-MTB tourists wandering around downtown. In Moab there seemed to be a bunch of intense foreign dudes in Spandex clicking around, jockeying for the best seat on the shuttle.
If you have never done Moab or Sedona, you do need to do both. Both are great destinations for anyone seeking out some early or late season riding. I will definitely make another trip to Moab but I want to explore Sedona some more… For more opinions on which is better, be sure to check out this thread on MTBR.
One last opinion from Mike Levy / pinkbike.com :
Levy’s Top Gear Picks of 2011
Best Destination: Sedona, Arizona
Mike Levy: Sedona MTB
I consider myself very lucky to be able to travel the world and ride in some of the most amazing places with great people, but one location always seems to get me more excited than the rest. Located in Arizona, Sedona is known for its red rock terrain, a result of the iron oxide left over from when a post-glacial age ocean filled valley, as well as numerous “vortexes” that are said to be centers of high energy. Whether or not you believe the vortex theory, there is no arguing over the area’s amazing trails. The terrain definitely caters to riders who prefer a technical challenge, with many sections that will test both your climbing and descending skills, but the rock surface also blesses you with incredible amounts of traction. It’s the kind of riding that rewards skilled riders, not just those who are super fit, largely thanks to knowledgable trail builders who seem to know exactly how to build a line that gives you the most bang for your buck. I live in B.C., known as the promise land to many riders around the world, but there is nothing I look forward to more than my yearly pilgrimage South to Sedona. If possible, do yourself a favour and make the same trip. You won’t regret it.
