Journey: Flagstaff, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Number of times I gave the finger: Wait, was I driving? Thought I was just sightseeing…
Cups of coffee: Another Peritus French press with breakfast, a few ounces of Coffee Slingers cold brew chugged before riding, and a Starbucks Americano with an epic view.
Low point of the day: Loaded down with heavy bags and a dripping rotisserie chicken, I wandered around the housing complex in Phoenix trying to find Unit 214 as my pants started to fall down and tears of frustration started. Somebody finally took pity on me and offered to help.

It was unseasonably warm in Flagstaff, AZ yesterday, so instead of driving down south to ride, I used the route just outside town recommended by my Airbnb host. He described it as an out-and-back along a single road. Normally I don’t like out-and-back routes because the temptation to go back is stronger than the urge to go out, but this was one of the most perfect, scenic roads I’d ever ridden and I was pretty much ready to keep going until Mexico.

After the ride, I changed clothes on the side of the road because modesty doesn’t exist when you live out of your car. Then I drove to Sedona along one of the most breathtaking routes I’d ever seen. The magnitude of the scenery was so great that I had to turn off the music and stop eating just to take it all in, things I generally wouldn’t stop doing unless I were dead.

Once I reached Sedona, it was time for more coffee and a visit to Bike & Bean. It’s so weird that people don’t fall all over themselves with awe when I walk into a bike shop (“OMFG, IT’S LINDSAY BAYER, FAMOUS PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST!”) but that will probably change soon, right about the time I get filthy rich from this career. And at least I got another free sticker.

2015 Day 8 Snowy AZ
The struggle is real, people. There is SNOW on the ground here.
2015 Day 8 View at the turnaround
That thing where you ride 20 miles out on the same road and turn around to see that this has been behind you the whole time.
2015 Day 8 I love this ride
Selfies are overplayed. Sure. But there are times that I want to be able to relive over and over, so this photo exists to remind me of this perfect moment on this perfect ride. I was so happy right then.
2015 Day 8 Lindsay Bayer Joy for AZ!
THIS HAPPY
2015 Day 8 Sedona Vista
One of the many astonishing vistas on the drive to Sedona.
2015 Day 8 89a
Do you see everything going on here? The peaks, the red rocks, the cliffs, the trees, the river below? Holy crap. It was nearly impossible to process in person. I could have stood there for a month and not gotten enough.
2015 Day 8 No Parking
I parked and got out so many times during the drive that it probably would have been quicker to just walk to Sedona.
2015 Day 8 Meat Bar
Nothing like staying fueled with what turned out to be the equivalent of a meat fruit roll-up.
2015 Day 8 Red Rocks
Dear Arizona, I love you.
2015 Day 8 Afternoon Delight
There are worse places for a coffee break.
2015 Day 8 Bike Shop
The famous Bike & Bean shop in Sedona and the newest sticker addition to the growing collection on my dashboard.
2015 Day 8 The Value of Sunscreen
SUNS OUT, GUNS OUT. Apparently when you ride in short sleeves at 7k feet of elevation on a sunny day with no sunscreen, you are rewarded with lobster arms.

5 thoughts on “Day 8 in which the red rocks rocked me”

  1. I was at Bike And Bean today. Ride 42 miles of single track and am whupped. Glad you enjoyed the area. Mike

  2. Wow, beautiful landscape shots! Proves everything I’ve heard about the beauty of New Mexico and Arizona is true. I’ve never seen a sky so blue. 🙂

  3. now you can see why we have been going to AZ every year and one day Pierre and I will be in the wild west. it is absolutely amazing! will you run our CT center out there?

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