Arizona

I lived in Flagstaff, AZ during the summer of 2008. During the summer, Flagstaff is the perfect place to ride. It sits at an elevation of about 7,000 feet, so (a) you get some altitude training and (b) it doesn't get too hot. When it comes to terrain and scenery, there's a little bit of everything. You can head up Snowbowl Rd. if you feel like climbing, you can go to Mormon Lake if you feel like some flat riding by the lake, or you can make your way to Sedona if you want to see the red rocks. Flagstaff is also very close to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, which are both beautiful places to ride. When you're not riding you can head to the Grand Canyon for some strenuous hiking, or you can hike to up to Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in AZ at 12,633 feet.

I did a few different centuries in Arizona, including a ride from Flagstaff to Sedona and back and an extended version of the Mormon Lake Loop. These are the pictures included below, along with a few photos of the ride up Snowbowl Rd., which I liked to do at least once a week.

On the way to Sedona.

Sedona itself is a tourist trap, but it doesn't take long to get through the busy part of town and the views are well worth it.

There was a lot of construction going on in the summer of 2008. You have to love a brand new road.

The views are spectacular.

A brand new road, a bike lane, and wonderful scenery. This is what dreams are made of.

There's a little climb between Sedona and Flagstaff. Here's a view from the top.

This is the bike I rode for the summer.

Here you can see the road twisting its way up the mountain.

And now a change of pace. This is a view of Mormon Lake, which is southeast of Flagstaff.

The scenery is great and the road has a very wide shoulder.

Another change of pace- this is what you can expect to see on your way up Snowbowl Rd.

From Snowbowl Rd.