

				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6824.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6824-1024x752.jpg" alt="Sand storm in Monument Valley" itemprop="image" height="752" width="1024" title="Sand storm in Monument Valley" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sand storm in Monument Valley
	<p>The snow for snowboarding in Colorado has been only mediocre so we decided to get away from the cold weather and meet up with some folks in Tucson to enjoy warm weather and biking&#8230;or so we thought.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-03-08-at-8.00.54-PM-268x300.png" alt="The route" itemprop="image" height="300" width="268" title="The route" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
	<h2><strong>Cortez, Colorado &#8211; Phil&#8217;s World Trails</strong></h2>
<p>On our way south, the first stop was a trail system with the most flow of any trail system we&#8217;ve ridden. This system is very well designed with berms in just the right places and the trails laid out to take you to all the best views in the area. There are very few sustained climbs. With the rolling terrain, you are never far from a fun swooshy downhill. The highlight of all of these trails is the Rib Cage which closely resembles the ups and downs of a roller coaster. We&#8217;ve ridden these trails before, but each time we get back there we just gotta smile and laugh!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/621788/phils-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phil&#8217;s World on MTB Project</a></p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1399592409/embed/342ddbad78c04358f28382720005deefdd72dad5" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180209_104644230_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180209_104644230_HDR.jpg" alt="Sue riding Phil's World trails" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Sue riding Phil's World trails" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue riding Phil&#8217;s World trails
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180209_112104295_HDR.jpg" alt="Ross enjoying the view at Phil's World" itemprop="image" height="2635" width="2779" title="Ross enjoying the view at Phil's World" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Ross enjoying the view at Phil&#8217;s World
	<p>We didn&#8217;t have a set plan for where to stay in the area our first night. The campgrounds we thought we were going to use were closed for the winter season. Fortunately, there were plenty of boondocking opportunities. We checked in with the forest service rangers and they guided us to the LaPlata Canyon area where we found the <a href="https://www.campendium.com/bay-city-gulch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bay City campground.</a> It was quiet and scenic. If that was full, we could have continued up the canyon and found several more campgrounds.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180209_071855179_HDR.jpg" alt="Bay City Campground" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Bay City Campground" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Bay City Campground
	<h2><strong>Hovenweep National Monument</strong></h2>
<p>The Hovenweep National Monument is a small, out of the way park that protects ruins from the 1200s. There is a nice trail that guides you through a prehistoric village. Along the trail, we got a nice view of a long-eared owl taking flight. I was too slow with the camera to get a shot of it. Fortunately, my reflexes are fast enough to capture images of the ruins. We were impressed with the quality of the construction including multiple stories and sharp corners of the buildings. The National Monument has a small but immaculate campground with nice mountain views.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6797.jpg" alt="Ruins at Hovenweep National Monument" itemprop="image" height="3682" width="6016" title="Ruins at Hovenweep National Monument" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Ruins at Hovenweep National Monument
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180209_180502591.jpg" alt="Sunset at Hovenweep Campground" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Sunset at Hovenweep Campground" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sunset at Hovenweep Campground
	<h2><strong>Valley of the Gods</strong></h2>
<p>Valley of the Gods is a scenic backcountry area near Monument Valley that is essentially a smaller Monument Valley with fewer visitors. There is a 17 mile unpaved road that takes you from one end to the other. The washboard effect of the road was strong when we were there and it was a punishing trip. This offered incentive to stop and enjoy the surroundings more frequently than we normally would. One of the stops rewarded us with our first time seeing a badger in the wild.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6805.jpg" alt="A badger in Valley of the Gods" itemprop="image" height="583" width="1137" title="A badger in Valley of the Gods" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		A badger in Valley of the Gods
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6813.jpg" alt="Rock formations in Valley of the Gods" itemprop="image" height="2279" width="3277" title="Rock formations in Valley of the Gods" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Rock formations in Valley of the Gods
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6809.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6809.jpg" alt="Valley of the Gods views" itemprop="image" height="1261" width="4032" title="Valley of the Gods views" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Valley of the Gods views
	<h2><strong>Gooseneck State Park</strong></h2>
<p>This tiny state park is perched above the canyons carved by the San Juan River. The views from 1000 feet above the river are spectacular. The park is essentially just a few campsites with overlooks into the canyon. We stayed the night here with plans to do a road ride through Monument Valley in the morning.</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6846.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6846.jpg" alt="Great way to wake up on my birthday" itemprop="image" height="2704" width="3659" title="Great way to wake up on my birthday" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Great way to wake up on my birthday
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6840.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6840.jpg" alt="Sue overlooking the San Juan River" itemprop="image" height="2990" width="4485" title="Sue overlooking the San Juan River" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue overlooking the San Juan River
	<h2><strong>Monument Valley</strong></h2>
<p>Monument Valley has been on our list of must-see places for a long time. We&#8217;ve been so close with our trips to Moab, but never seemed to get there. We routed this trip to go right through so we couldn&#8217;t miss it. Our plan was to stop and do an out-and-back road ride along the <a href="https://utah.com/scenic-drive/monument-valley" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bluff Scenic Byway</a>. Unfortunately, a cold weather front was coming through and the winds were topping 40mph sandblasting everything in sight. This turned into a driving day instead. The sights were still amazing, living up to expectations.</p>
	<p>Throughout the trip we passed through Monument Valley a few times with a variety of lighting conditions.</p>
<p> ;</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6850.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6850.jpg" alt="Monument Valley...Happy wife, happy life" itemprop="image" height="2001" width="3031" title="Monument Valley...Happy wife, happy life" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Monument Valley&#8230;Happy wife, happy life
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6855.jpg" alt="Sprinter van in Monument Valley" itemprop="image" height="1274" width="2327" title="Sprinter van in Monument Valley" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sprinter van in Monument Valley
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6858.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6858.jpg" alt="Monument Valley" itemprop="image" height="891" width="2345" title="Monument Valley" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Monument Valley
	<h2><strong>Petrified Forest National Park</strong></h2>
<p>The Petrified Forest National Park has a variety of landscapes, the most notable being the Painted Desert and the areas abundant with petrified trees. The park has a paved road that runs about 28 miles end to end with gentle rolling hills and amazing National Park scenery. We had a break in the weather and took the opportunity to tour the park by bike.</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RossPaintedDesert.png" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RossPaintedDesert.png" alt="Ross over the Painted Desert" itemprop="image" height="1745" width="3894" title="Ross over the Painted Desert" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Ross over the Painted Desert
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_131600786.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_131600786.jpg" alt="Sue at the intersection with Route 66" itemprop="image" height="1277" width="2192" title="Sue at the intersection with Route 66" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue at the intersection with Route 66
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1403425337/embed/11b01a1338c8197379a405293e9157eec6edae4d" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_140351470.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_140351470.jpg" alt="The Teepees" itemprop="image" height="2056" width="2329" title="The Teepees" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		The Teepees
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_152053478.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180211_152053478.jpg" alt="One of the many, many pieces of petrified wood in the park" itemprop="image" height="1996" width="2652" title="One of the many, many pieces of petrified wood in the park" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		One of the many, many pieces of petrified wood in the park
	<p>After the bike ride in the National Park, we camped in <a href="https://www.campendium.com/homolovi-state-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Homolovi State Park</a> for the night before setting south for Tucson.</p>
	<h2><strong>Tucson</strong></h2>
<p>Our plan was to spend a little over a week in Tucson for riding. We split our time camping in the <a href="https://www.campendium.com/gilbert-ray-campground" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gilbert Ray campground</a> and the <a href="https://www.campendium.com/catalina-state-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Catalina State Park camground</a>, both worked out really well.</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180216_082024186_BURST000_COVER.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180216_082024186_BURST000_COVER.jpg" alt="Mt Lemmon over Catalina State Park" itemprop="image" height="980" width="3256" title="Mt Lemmon over Catalina State Park" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Mt Lemmon over Catalina State Park
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_105926192_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_105926192_HDR.jpg" alt="Sue at Catalina State Park" itemprop="image" height="2170" width="2654" title="Sue at Catalina State Park" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue at Catalina State Park
	<p>We managed to get a couple rides in before the warm, dry desert weather turned cold and rainy. The first was <a href="https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4793536/starr-pass-main-loop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tucson Mountain Park MTB (Starr Pass)</a> This trail system has an edge to it with lots of loose rock, ups and downs and great desert views. Sue had an opportunity to test the effectiveness of <a href="http://amzn.to/2Ddk4q6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her new knee pads</a> here.</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1406286372/embed/b132fce2170a47092518ed888dabe73f1170a5b2" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180213_125204707.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180213_125204707.jpg" alt="Tucson Mountain Park" itemprop="image" height="2669" width="2906" title="Tucson Mountain Park" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Tucson Mountain Park
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180213_120714060.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180213_120714060.jpg" alt="Tucson Mountain Park...celebrating the climb" itemprop="image" height="2063" width="3244" title="Tucson Mountain Park...celebrating the climb" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Tucson Mountain Park&#8230;celebrating the climb
	<p><a href="http://www.arizonabikerides.com/rides/300/gates-pass-mccain-loop-road-bike-ride-tucson-arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gates Pass &; McCain Loop</a> This is a classic Tucson road ride. The pass itself is a 4/10 mile steep climb to the summit. It is short enough that you can turn around and do intervals until your legs fall off. Just a few miles to the west is McCain Loop road which is a nice roller coaster type road with very little traffic and great desert views. The asphalt on McCain Loop is a bit rough and I destroyed my rear tire. Fortunately, I had some <a href="http://amzn.to/2oWpRfv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gu energy gels</a> with me and I was able to use the wrapper to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lux1S16YQcM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make a tire boot</a> so that I could finish the ride.</p>
<p> ;</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1407639933/embed/0aeb6880da9781fa08928e75c65d9f5b0960d84c" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180214_104835611.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180214_104835611.jpg" alt="The base of Gates Pass" itemprop="image" height="2847" width="3123" title="The base of Gates Pass" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		The base of Gates Pass
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180214_102801528_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180214_102801528_HDR.jpg" alt="Saguaro National Park West" itemprop="image" height="2970" width="2948" title="Saguaro National Park West" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Saguaro National Park West
	<p>After a couple days of steady rain, we were happy to get on the bikes again. We rode several of the bike paths that are part of <a href="http://webcms.pima.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6/File/Government/The%20Loop/1803%20MARCH/Loop%20map_March%202018.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;The Loop&#8221; bike path system in Tucson</a>. We turned around at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60950-d524680-Reviews-A_Mountain_Sentinel_Peak-Tucson_Arizona.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sentinel Peak (AKA &#8216;A&#8217; Mountain)</a> which was good for a spirited sprint to the summit.</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1412724157/embed/4ab43fed855acc3d052895c41c7bc95634e874c3" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_105839534_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_105839534_HDR.jpg" alt="Heading out from Catalina State Park" itemprop="image" height="2852" width="2666" title="Heading out from Catalina State Park" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Heading out from Catalina State Park
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_130239720.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180217_130239720.jpg" alt="Sue on Sentinel Peak" itemprop="image" height="2270" width="3920" title="Sue on Sentinel Peak" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue on Sentinel Peak
	<p><a href="http://www.sdmb.org/trails/fantasy-island/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fantasy Island MTB</a></p>
<p>This is a nice trail system that is not very technical but has some good flow to it. Getting your speed up is the best way to maximize the fun here and there is plenty to be had. However, be warned that there is a good amount of Cholla cactus, also known as Jumping Cholla along the trails. They have a way of getting attached to you in a painful way and not wanting to let go. There are some interesting &#8220;art&#8221; installations throughout the trail system which adds to the entertainment.</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1414600228/embed/2ddc5b71d5168c13b12ecda00c7424f9e588a2a4" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_121303385.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_121303385.jpg" alt="Trailside entertainment at Fantasy Island...poor guy" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Trailside entertainment at Fantasy Island...poor guy" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Trailside entertainment at Fantasy Island&#8230;poor guy
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_105608511_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_105608511_HDR.jpg" alt="Sue checking out the license plate artwork at Fantasy Island" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Sue checking out the license plate artwork at Fantasy Island" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue checking out the license plate artwork at Fantasy Island
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_114419625.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180218_114419625.jpg" alt="Chollas are no joke, you can see some bloody spots on the glove from the previous one that got me" itemprop="image" height="2059" width="3649" title="Chollas are no joke, you can see some bloody spots on the glove from the previous one that got me" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Chollas are no joke, you can see some bloody spots on the glove from the previous one that got me
	<p><a href="http://www.arizonabikerides.com/rides/249/saguaro-national-park-biking-tucson-arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sagauro National Park East</a></p>
<p>We linked up with the Altitude crew and had a wonderful ride with them. We rode the bike trails from the northern end of Tucson to the Sagauro National Park East. We toured the park, riding the <a href="http://www.arizonabikerides.com/rides/249/saguaro-national-park-biking-tucson-arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cactus Forest Loop road</a> and then headed back to where we started.</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1416270199/embed/1e3119604e03bbb4133bb7b6586d3cf323da8661" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180219_124211202_HDR.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180219_124211202_HDR.jpg" alt="Sagauro National Park East" itemprop="image" height="1816" width="1889" title="Sagauro National Park East" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sagauro National Park East
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180219_132700643.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180219_132700643.jpg" alt="Altitude Crew at Sagauro National Park East" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Altitude Crew at Sagauro National Park East" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Altitude Crew at Sagauro National Park East
	<p>We began to think we broke the desert with all the cold, wet days we were experiencing. Despite the weather, we wanted to tick off another of the classic Tucson climbs. We&#8217;ve done Mt. Lemmon on a previous trip. Kitt peak and Madera Canyon were the climbs we had yet to do. Since the temps were low, the one with the lower elevation of the two was our choice. We did the Madera Canyon climb as an out and back from the town of Green Valley. The 15% grade climb up was a nice challenge, but the 39º temp on the way down was numbing.</p>
	<p><iframe src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1417870474/embed/246c068736f8397cbbdd251b37b44f3b568cc83c" width="590" height="405" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180220_133209369.jpg" alt="Base of Madera Canyon" itemprop="image" height="2277" width="3057" title="Base of Madera Canyon" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Base of Madera Canyon
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180220_141224374_HDR.jpg" alt="Madera Canyon with snow approaching" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Madera Canyon with snow approaching" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Madera Canyon with snow approaching
	<h2><strong>Sedona</strong></h2>
<p>Sedona, like Monument Valley, is another place that has been on our destination list for a long time. Watching the weather forecast, we saw that we had a 1 day window of good riding weather with more snow approaching the area. We left Tucson a little early to catch this good weather day in Sedona. We really wanted to get at least one ride in there to get a good feel for Sedona. What a ride it was! The scenery in Sedona is breathtaking. We live in and visit places commonly described as majestic. Sedona still blew us away with how beautiful it is. We rode the MTB loop called the <a href="https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7003838/west-sedona-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Sedona Tour</a> that covers the famous Chuckwagon and Mezcal trails. Once again, I was saying that I have a new favorite MTB ride. I have so many <a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/rides/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">favorite MTB rides</a>.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180222_114308842_BURST007.jpg" alt="Sue coming out of the scary bits on Mezcal" itemprop="image" height="4160" width="3120" title="Sue coming out of the scary bits on Mezcal" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Sue coming out of the scary bits on Mezcal
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180222_101906032.jpg" alt="Sedona MTB" itemprop="image" height="1530" width="2240" title="Sedona MTB" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Sedona MTB
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180222_115405007.jpg" alt="Sedona MTB" itemprop="image" height="1920" width="3255" title="Sedona MTB" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sedona MTB
	<h2><strong>Leaving Sedona</strong></h2>
<p>The drive north from Sedona and through Flagstaff is very scenic. We did encounter the snow that was forecasted. There is much debate as to whether 4&#215;4 is worthwhile on Sprinter vans. I was glad we had it on ours.</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180223_113104213.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_20180223_113104213.jpg" alt="Oak Creek Canyon" itemprop="image" height="3120" width="4160" title="Oak Creek Canyon" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Oak Creek Canyon
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/MVIMG_20180223_115418.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/MVIMG_20180223_115418.jpg" alt="Flagstaff" itemprop="image" height="2560" width="3414" title="Flagstaff" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Flagstaff
	<h2><strong>Moki dugway &; Muley Point</strong></h2>
<p>The most direct route to Natural Bridges National Monument from Monument Valley is via the Moki Dugway. This is a dirt road with multiple switchbacks that essentially take you up the face of a cliff to the top of Cedar Mesa. Once you get to the top of the mesa, there is a dirt road on the left that leads to a couple great overlooks of the canyons below and Monument Valley in the distance. The viewing here is pretty spectacular.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6878.jpg" alt="Sprinter on the Moki Dugway" itemprop="image" height="1265" width="3091" title="Sprinter on the Moki Dugway" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Sprinter on the Moki Dugway
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6887.jpg" alt="Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley" itemprop="image" height="383" width="900" title="Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6885.jpg" alt="Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley" itemprop="image" height="2322" width="3568" title="Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Muley Point overlooking Monument Valley
	<h2><strong>Natural Bridges National Monument</strong></h2>
<p>This national monument is home to three large natural stone bridges carved by erosion. There is a 9 mile paved loop road that takes you to overlooks and trailheads for viewing the natural bridges. There is also a really nice campground right by the loop road.</p>
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6916.jpg" alt="Kachina Bridge" itemprop="image" height="3008" width="4512" title="Kachina Bridge" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Kachina Bridge
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6914.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6914.jpg" alt="Sipapu Bridge" itemprop="image" height="1701" width="2529" title="Sipapu Bridge" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Sipapu Bridge
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6923.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6923.jpg" alt="Owachomo Bridge" itemprop="image" height="3008" width="4512" title="Owachomo Bridge" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		Owachomo Bridge
	<p>We had planned to ride after our overnight in Natural Bridges National Monument, but the weather set us back. We were not prepared to ride with the temperature hovering around 12ºF.</p>
<p>Just outside of the National Monument is a hike to some more ruins along a canyon. One of the ruins is remarkable in that when the light is right, the color and grain of the rock resembles fire. With just the right post-processing of your photo, it can look a lot like fire.</p>
<p> ;</p>
				<a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6943.jpg" target="_self" itemprop="url" rel="noopener">
				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6943.jpg" alt="House on Fire ruins" itemprop="image" height="3008" width="4512" title="House on Fire ruins" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
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		House on Fire ruins
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				<img src="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DSC_6930.jpg" alt="Sue at the House on Fire ruins" itemprop="image" height="3008" width="4512" title="Sue at the House on Fire ruins" onerror="this.style.display='none'" />
				</a>
		Sue at the House on Fire ruins
	<p><strong>Where to next&#8230;.Moab?</strong></p>
	<h2><strong>Items purchased for this road trip</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2F2WYbQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Portable collapsible wash basin</a> We don&#8217;t have running water in the van so this helps with doing dishes. We&#8217;ve had several other collapsible containers that are generally better at collapsing than staying open. This works very well at staying uncollapsed when you want it unlike many other collapsible containers.</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2FIi5Np" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RV leveling kit</a> We&#8217;ve needed this for a while. This makes leveling the van way easier than using firewood or rocks under the tires</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2F7aJpJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reliance 2.5 gal water container</a> We&#8217;ve used Waterbricks for a while, they are rugged and stackable which is nice, but the handles and opening are awkward to use. The Reliance is not as rugged, but the ease of use makes it a winner.</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2Ddk4q6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G Form Knee Pads</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/2DcsJcE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G Form Elbow Pads</a>. These are to help with confidence on the trail. They are very lightweight and comfortable while still providing a good level of protection.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>From our posting about <a href="https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/sprinter-wifi-on-board/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adding Wifi to the van</a>, here are the items we used to get that going.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2By9mxk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cradlepoint IBR900</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2Ez3N4I" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liquid Tight conduit</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2Ewdjp0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liquid Tight fittings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3saTQBX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300W Inverter</a> (not so efficient inverter, but very affordable)</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2othCY2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morningstar 300W Inverter</a> (efficient inverter)</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2FeDXCn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bluesea Systems fuse block</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2GRZeiq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wire connectors</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2ow5Yf8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blade Fuses</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2t7dcLk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hole Saws</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2FeTYbm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marine grade wire</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2CNJgU9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drill</a></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2GUJVFR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wire strippers</a></li>
</ul>


Road Trip – Biking in Southwest Colorado, Utah and Arizona
Monument Valley Sand Storm