As spring arrives and I start to tune up my rig for the season to come, I always look forward to one event early in the spring.
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival.
This annual pilgrimage of the bike industry to the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona marks the beginning of the mountain bike season. The beautiful views, technical trails, and the venue’s palpable excitement make this festival the best of the season.
To help you start off your season, here’s why I think you should go to the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival.
(Love mountain biking? Learn how to live the mountain bike van life here.)
What is the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival?
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is a three-day event in Sedona, Arizona, where riders can demo the latest bikes from the major brands, explore the local trails via shuttle, and browse the latest developments in the bike industry.
Tickets are around $50 for the day or $150 for the whole event. They include a swag bag, unlimited bike demos, and bike valet if you choose to bring your own ride.
Typically, the event takes place in the spring, but due to COVID-19, the event will take place on November 12-14th, 2021.
I have been to the festival twice now, and I can easily say my favorite part of the event is demoing a handful of newly released bikes.
Sedona Mountain Bike Festival Bike Demos
Your entry fee includes unlimited bike demos from any of the vendors at the festival.
To demo a bike, all you have to do is walk up to any brand you are interested in, fill out a waiver, and provide them with an ID and a credit card. This is a great way to try out new bikes before you buy one.
Bike demos go fast. To make sure you get the ride you want, I recommend lining up outside of the festival in the morning before the gates open.
A tech will then set the suspension for your weight and put on whatever pedals you want to ride. Most brands have Crankbrothers, Shimano, and flat pedals available, but if you are specific about your pedals, feel free to bring your own.
Then you will get the bike and have around two hours to ride it on whatever trails you want. From here, you have two options, ride from the venue or hop on a shuttle.
Trails Near the Festival
The festival is located at the Sedona Bike Park and a short pedal away from the Adobe Jack Trail System. This area is the best for quick laps while you’re waiting for a bike or if you have limited time.
Make sure you wear the proper gear, the Sedona rocks are unforgiving.
My favorite route is to pedal along Soldiers Pass Road Connector to Grand Central or Adobe Jack. Then if you’re feeling fresh, you can pedal up to the airport for a lap down Brewer, or you can pedal along the road to the festival to grab your next demo.
If you want a longer ride, there are shuttles that run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. These shuttles will drop off and pick up at Dry Creek, Sedona High School, and Broken Arrow/Yavapai Vista.
If you’re up for it, I recommend hopping on the Yavapai Vista shuttle and tackling Sedona’s famous Hiline Trail.
But what if you’re headed to the festival solo? Thankfully, there are group rides every day for you to link up with fellow riders.
Group Rides at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
Every day of the festival, there are multiple group rides that you can go on.
Typically, brands lead these rides. They start with a meet-up at their booth and then head out on a ride led by one of their athletes or employees. Feel free to stop by the booth before the ride, so you can demo one of their bikes on the ride.
Are you new to mountain biking?
The festival offers a few skill clinics throughout the week, which is a great way to explore the area if you’re new to the sport. Last year there was a VIDA Women’s Clinic, a Ryan Leech Connection Skills Clinic, and Youth Clinics.
The festival has more to offer than just riding.
Beer, Food, and Live Music
After riding some technical trails all day, you’ll be thirsty and starving.
The festival thought this through and has a beer garden, food vendors, and live music for you to enjoy after a long day in the saddle.
I recommend that you stop by Dark Sky Brewery for a drink before heading to one of the food trucks. In the morning, Single Speed Coffee is another worthy stop to get an espresso before you head out into the red rocks.
A Great Time in the Red Rocks
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is always a blast. It’s my favorite way to start the season. The trails and vibe of the festival cannot be put into words.
So whether you’re a veteran rider or new to the sport, I recommend that you add it to your calendar. It’s a weekend you won’t regret.
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