There’s no better way to kick off the winter riding season than a quick escape to Sedona, Arizona, for the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. Like everyone, Shimano has been long awaiting the opportunity to reconnect in person with riders of all kinds since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

 

^{Jill Kitner and Stephanie McDaniel getting ready to roll out with the all-women’s group ride.}

 

The anticipation brought a special energy to this year’s festival, one cultivated by bringing together riders, fans, and legends in a rad location for athlete-led MTB and E-MTB group rides. These tailored rides were a huge success, leaving from the venue every day with a full group of riders and finishing up with laughs and high fives.

 

^{Hucks to flat and techy hill climbs on the E-MTB group ride.}

 

The stoke was at an all-time high leaving this year’s festival, and we would like to thank everyone who came out and participated in group rides and those who stopped by to say hello. We are already planning for next year’s Sedona MTB Festival, March 4-6th, 2022, where we will be offering even more athlete-led group rides. Make sure to add this event to your calendar and join us for a ride!

 

^{Group E-Bike Ride with Jill Kitner, Hans Rey, and Bryn Atkinson out to Chicken Point from Broken Arrow Jeep Trail}

 

^{Hans “No Way’ Rey ventures out on the famous White Line}

 

^{Classic “No Way” style diving into the turnaround point on the White Line. He’s Still got it!}

 

^{Jeff Lenosky demonstrating a monster bunny hop for the squad.} 

 

^{Bryn Atkinson, Jill Kitner, and Jeff Lenosky at “Secret Slickrock” leading out one of our intermediate MTB group rides.}

 

^{Doing the “Lawwill” and soaking in the red rock landscape.}

 

^{Sedona riding isn’t easy… sometimes you need just a little extra push from Jill Kitner and Stephanie McDaniel. Photo from the all-women group ride.}

 

^{The endurance XC with Kurt Refsneider, Kait Boyle, and Ryan Standish ride found “The Vortex”}

 

^{Bryn Atkinson showing us how to be incredibly smooth in really rough Sedona desert. The key is not touching the ground…}

 

^{A group ride preparing to leave from the festival.}

 

^{Tyson showing the pros how it’s done and winning a new Lazer helmet on our technical climbing challenge.}

 

^{Until next year Sedona!}