Canon S500 for Fiona…

Time for some new adventures…

My trusty Canon Powershot S500 has been with me on many adventures…from India to Mexico and all over the Western US and Canada. I’ve taken some great photos with it and Canon has given me excellent customer service. All in all it’s been a pleasure to use. I’ve since bought newer Canon point and shoot cameras that have spoilt me with larger LCD screens, higher resolution and image stabilization. That’s left the S500 languishing in a drawer for the last few years.

Fiona co-piloting the family CETMA cargo bike…

I was talking to my buddy Doug and he mentioned his daughter Fiona was in need of a new camera so I am sending the S500 east to Calgary for her to use. I’m glad this camera will have a new home with someone who is sure to take it on many new adventures. :)

Sedona – The Last Ride…

The Three Amigos ride one last time…

For our last ride in Sedona we picked a short loop close to the hotel so we could hit the trails early and get back in time to shower before we had to check out.

Sharon enjoying a cool AM ride…

We rode Krusty, Grand Central, Jordan up to the sinkhole and then Adobe Jack Trail back down to the car. This area used to be called the Secret Trails when I first came to Sedona to ride in 1997, but now the trails are well maintained and signed – not so secret any longer!

Do we have to go home?

It was a bit sad to know we were so close to the end of our trip. I managed 15 rides in 11 days without missing a day on the bike. Sharon got in 12 rides in 10 days with just one rest day. I’m happy to report zero crashes and no serious mechanicals. Just lots and lots of smiles – thanks Sedona! :)

Sharon with her red rock grin!

After the ride we dropped off Sean and Deanna’s Ibis Mojo HD rental bikes back at The Fat Tire then checked out and enjoyed on last meal in Sedona at Sally’s BBQ before starting the long drive back to Vancouver Island via LA.

Time to drive…

Everyone one had a great time in Sedona so I am hoping it won’t be hard to convince them to come back next year for a repeat performance. ;)

Sedona – Broken Arrow Trail…

Dirt girlz…

Sean…

Deanna…

Sharon…

Sean charging Chicken Point…

Sharon on the rocky drop…

S&D…

Desert singletrack…

Sharon on her own…

Going for it…

Did it…

Deanna wants some too…

Heading for the last turns…

Next stop the Bike and Bean for coffee….

Back at the hotel…

Sedona – Early beat the heat ride…

Coffee Pot Rock…

Sharon riding on the edge…

Sharon on Tea Cup Trail…

Lazy enjoying some early morning slickrock…

Pink in the desert…

My Blue Steel look… ;)

End of Tea Cup…

On to Soldier’s Pass Trail…

Enjoying the cool AM air temps…

Sharon the Desert Fox…

Pink Power…

The sinkhole…

Snack break…

Channeling the the Angry Squirrel on Adobe Jack Trail…

Sedona – Slim Shady Trail…

Sean getting a grip…

After some much needed coffee Sharon, Sean, Deanna and I headed out to get some riding in early before the temperature hit 30 degrees C. I made a strategic error in jumping on a trail I had never ridden [Made in the Shade] to form a loop with Slim Shady. The result was a lot of walking for the less technically skilled riders in the group. My Bad! =(

On the plus side the views were awesome and it was a pretty fun trail for those that could ride it. It also made the rest of the morning’s riding seem easy so that was a bonus. ;)

Sharon and Deanna…

Deanna letting her bike rip…

Three amigos…

Sean leading the pack…

Deanna on the spy cam…

The girls showing us how it’s done…

Switchbacks…

The photog catching up with the posse…

Slim Shady Trail…

The Slim Shady Trail was a much better match for the group and we rode it as an out an back.

Deanna in the gully…

Sharon is a Slim Shady old timer…

On a rolll…

Enjoying the view…

Sharon leading the way…

A taste of slickrock…

Sharon cranking and smiling…

Deanna soaking up the sun…

After Slim Shady we grabbed some Thai food and beers for lunch and enjoyed the chill Sedona vibe for a few hours. Then Sean and I rode up the jeep road to the top of Munds Wagon Trail for a fast rip back into town. I only got the picture below of Sean climbing up the dusty road as we didn’t stop much the whole way down.

Dusty…

Sedona – Friends…

Deanna and Sean enjoy their Ibis Mojo HDs…

Our friends made it to town so we spent the hot part of the day getting them a couple Ibis Mojo HD rental bikes from Dave at the Sedona Fat Tire Bike Shop. Then we fed them some great Mexican food and we lounged by the pool waiting for the heat to abate to sane levels for some Westcost Canadians… ;)

Riding off into the sunset…

We took our time and did an easy ride so they could get used to the thin air at 4500′ and the new bikes. They loved the Mojos and Sedona’s desert trails.

Sedona Sunset…

Enjoying a late ride…