Video: Are Sedona Trails Really That Dangerous?

 Made my Saturday. Thank you.

 @scott-townes: Lol, like a moth to the flame.

 you're a clown

 @scott-townes: the arch troll looks in a mirror and starts fight with himself.

 @rick33 seems to me this quote from Darren kind of contradicts what you’re just sort of making up. “that little skipper onto the battleship was in the forest without any cliffs beside it, it would just be not a really nice jump or a little gap at all. The landing was like 8 inches tall, and it immediately went uphill. And that was due to the fact that the ridge was so skinny, and just how the actual feature was naturally, you couldn't really make it any better.

So the actual feature itself was not that hard to ride. But at the end of the day, if you screwed up and all it got bounced off on either side, the consequences were so severe. So, us judges, we talked about it in great depth, like, "how do we judge this?" Because you really don't have that tough of a feature, but the fact that there's so much exposure makes it insanely scary. And you really can't take away anything from the athletes if they're putting themselves at so much exposure. So we had to judge that quite high, and Brendog really was rewarded for that, as one of the gnarliest features for exposure on the entire mountain.”

 @coloradohaze: his lisp is definitely a serious problem. I mean how can he shred!?

Naaaah, it’s just you.

 You are an idiot. That is not what claw said or even remotely insinuated. This is embarrassing to the sport that people actually think like this.

 @Superboost: yeah he says that, but then you realize Brendan didn't actually get scored very high for that, so the claw is kind of contradicting himself.

 @Gristle: that’ll happen I suppose.

 You got way more upvotes than down.....so I guess it's just me, but not sure I get what you are trying to say and would appreciate it if you'd help an old man off the sidewalk here.

 @RadBartTaylor: watch this (and read the comments): www.pinkbike.com/news/rampage-judge-darren-berrecloth-speaks-out-on-2023-event.html

 @mi-bike: I've seen / read it - what's the joke that I am missing that the vast majority of people seem to get based on upvotes?

He was saying very much the opposite:

"That was very technical, and once again, we rewarded him quite very high on his exposure level and his line choice"

"Because you really don't have that tough of a feature, but the fact that there's so much exposure makes it insanely scary. And you really can't take away anything from the athletes if they're putting themselves at so much exposure"

Ironically funny? Many of the people upvoting not understanding? Me being a dumbass and missing something?

 @RadBartTaylor: you are not a dumbass. You sound like a reasonable person with a functioning brain. PB comments are more suitable for wild speculation, loose conjecture, and heated, poorly crafted opinions. Reasonable people don’t stand a chance here.

 @RadBartTaylor: Darren said those things as explanation/damage control, but they didn't actually reward him, and Brendog didn't make the podium. Hence the general sarcasm around exposure not mattering... cause, hey "just don't mess up and it's fine".

 @ultimatist: then why did @mi-bike suggest for me to watch/read Darren's response to help me understand? @rick33 said "According to", which usually suggests "comments directly from", which leads one to believe it should be based on his follow up statement not the score since the score was a panel of people and would not be "According to" a single person.....

I'm usually pretty sharp when it comes to ironic humor or reading between the lines....losing my touch I guess.

 @RadBartTaylor: I suggested to watch Darren's video AND read the comment section below. The comments show that most Pinkers, who had formed their opinion of some people being scored too high and others too low, would not be swayed by whatever DB would say.

By the way, DB did not say what rick33 writes (in fact, the opposite). Welcome to the pinkernet!

 @Superboost: I took something completely out of context and made a joke. Some thought it was funny and some others did not. You did not find it funny that Pinkbike posted an article with a title like this so soon after the Claw's article? With Rampage being so fresh in people's minds? More of a dig at Pinkbike than the Claw.

 @rick33: honestly, I think Claws response was a bit lame, and I actually could care less about the results in the least bit. I did however feel the need to defend the Claw a little bit as he seemed to put out a statement that didn’t line up with what you were saying. If you were trolling and showing the absurdity of it all then whatever makes you happy as I’m guilty of similar behaviour from time time. That said, I feel like there was a lot of bandwagon jumping on the hate fest for the judges and felt like chiming in to defend them a little. On the other side, these judges and the organizers have brought this on themselves with a lack of clarity when it comes to the point system, so it’s their own fault at the end of the day. Also, could Gully have been any more awkward?

 @rick33: I still don't get it - wish I did

 Underrated comment. Nice dad joke lol

 @JebusBikes: yeah not sure why people are downvoting.

 Amazing, take my upvote.

 Somebody call a hambulance!

 @Douglas4130: some people are just pignorant

 @Douglas4130: They weren't people. It was a bunch of sheep that voted the comment under the threshold initially.

 Yep. I ditched the backpack a couple years ago for local rides. But if I’m in Moab on the Whole Enchilada, I’m back with the Camelbak, carrying at least two liters of water (which is barely enough), a bar, tools, and puncture stuff. Gotta be prepared in a harsh environment.

 Except if you watch the video, the answer is yes.

 It's as if YouTubers are imagining below average Walmart shoppers when considering their audience

 @islandforlife: Except if you actually ride there, the answer is no.

 Not just clickbait videos, but all headlines.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines

 Yeah that was painful intro. Had to turn it off

 This video, and all videos from influencer/YouTubers promoting Sedona and Moab are important. It makes people think these towns are worth planning a month long road trip for and eases congestion on the zones I actually want to ride.

 Thank you. I didn't watch it as 'if you can't trust a stranger you met on the internet, who can you trust?'

 It's also Grand Master Flash's favourite trail.

 @iamamodel: Oldest person the rip it!

 @iamamodel: Thank you for this.

 @Chuckolicious: Mah pleasure.

 I would rather ride portal over the hangover any day. Portal’s exposure is intense but at most points you’d have to roll six feet off the trail before you fell to your death. Hangover seemed at the edge more often.

 @Mtbdialed: not aware of anyone ever proposing or claiming Moab was ever "steep" to begin with. They are just a very unique trail system in Uta/Arizona Nobody goes to either of those places for "steep". They go for the unique vibe those two areas have. Strange comment

 I’d say hangover is more exposed than Gold Bar (blue dot lines)/Portal. But none of the famous exposed desert trails are super exposed.

And yeah, white line is a novelty line.

 @Mtbdialed: I mean, not super sexy as Apex/Enchanted. Isn't Whistler even jealous of those trails?

 @Mtbdialed: thank you. If I ever return to Moab, I won’t bring a bike.

 @owl-X: I go to moab with my moto.....

 @bman33: agreed. The geology and the setting are very unique.

We also go for the trail density and variety

 @Chonky13: you literally just did

 @wyorider: Not exposed? I had a dude dive off the crux on Portal right in front of me. I'm betting he found the 400 foot fall more than adequate.

 @wyorider: Hangover has trees and stuff to grab on to if you do go in. Gold Bar does not. And I think Portal is probably the undisputed heavyweight in Exposure. Jacksons is super gnarly too, and the Palisade Plunge… way more exposed with sheer heights than anything in Sedona.

 @Chonky13: Great thing about Hells is the approach is so gnarly it keeps everyone away. Thanks for advertising, though.

 @Chonky13: ore chute is exactly my speed ride at atleast weekly

 @danger13: the crux has a sign for a reason. Low difficulty, low commitment, very high consequence. But-it is low difficulty and low commitment (you can dab out anytime). So you have to really go for it and be off line to come off.

 @sonoranmtb: Gold Bar always allows riders to keep a little further in, but the OG blue dot line puts you *right* on the edge hitting drops and power up moves. Upper Portal only has a few moments of commitment, and it’s possible to bail or dab out on all of them.

Hangover has trees etc. but also requires constant engaged riding, and has more places where the trail narrows enough that a dab is tricky, if possible. I’d also say the descent OFF Hangover is the high consequence section. Still sections of serious exposure, with gravity pulling you down.

 @Mtbdialed: Nice! That one has some good pucker-factor. They did a good job building it.

 @wyorider: gravity is ALWAYS pulling you down. lmao.....even on flats and uphills! Gravity is a motherf*cker like that!

 @blinglespeed: I don’t know about that. Been riding Sedona for years. Portal is something else with exposure.

 @Mtbdialed: “XC loops in the desert” absolutely nailed it.

Sedona sucks. And the MTB community there has gotten worse and worse. People will stop and dick around in the middle of trails OR JUMP lines, then get mad at you for not announcing your presence with a megaphone.

Sedona trails are 100% XC loops.

 XC loops if you like very technical XC, although I've met folks who took their XC bikes to Sedona and were pretty disapointed with the choice. Not that it can't be done, plenty do, but its just gnarly enough to require tough tires and slack angles.

There isn't much elevation change so there aren't many long downhills.

As a former east coaster, Sedona requires all of those chunky rock riding skills, with a dose of bravery for some of the exposure. The hardest trails at Rothrock, Michaux or Moraine are like blues in Sedona (although most rocks are not covered in slimy film like in PA.)

Sedona has gotten so overwhelmed with hikers, bikers, vortex seekers, and SxS that I feel like Moab is a better winter destination for strictly riding trip, but 100% worth it if your in Phoenix or Flagstaff to mix it up.

 @sonoranmtb: Rode the Plunge 2 weeks ago for the first time ever and found it to be way more spicy than Portal or anything else I've ridden in Moab/ Sedona/ desert southwest in general. I think the roughest part was just the duration of exposure. There was a lot of extended survival riding, and the fact that it's all kitty litter gravel with short slopes before the death drop had me pretty shook.

 Low difficulty high consequence. Kind of a novelty feature. Some fun, but a one and done line.

 Like riding a skinny over a canyon. Not for me thanks, but respect to those who can.

 One and done for me. Wasn't really scary, except for the fact that I decided to do it with frost on the rocks (the exposed portion was just wet, no ice).

Sure it looked cool to the spectators

 www.trailforks.com/route/sedona-triple-h

 I’d rather take a dance aerobics class.

 Triple h is my go to combo for riding sedona (British, but work for a company that ships me out to Phoenix pretty frequently). The specs dont look too tough but it's a massive day out

 Only bummer doing triple H is that then you’ve ridden the only trails worth hitting in one day. I like Hogs and Highline one day, 2 laps of Hangover second day. And then up to Flag.

 @Tigergoosebumps: lack of fitness or fear??? It’s a great loop!!

 And 1000 ft of elevation feels like 2000

 No shoulder in the canyon. Super sketchy dude. Death mission.

 Not so much on H Trails. If you’re on more intermediate stuff, yeah you’ll be dodging gapers and hikers all day. Makes a trail like Mezcal (blue but fun) a bummer to ride.

 @wyorider: I've never heard the phrase h trails before, I like it. Last time I rode hangover I had a group of hikers almost send me into the abyss, so I think I'm holding a grudge. Nether the less no better place to be in Feb if you need to run away from snow.

 Go when it’s like 60 degrees in the morning and 90s mid day. I went in the last week of July and started around HiLine then to pyramid then over to thunder mountain/tea cup/grand central. I think I saw like 4 hikers in 25 miles. And motels were $80.

 It’s blown up and
Blown out.

 January and February is great there. Otherwise too busy

 @wolftwenty1: It is where I do the bulk of my winter riding. Except when they get a little snow. Then heading south is the only option. But yeah, Sedona is definitely ridable for like 95% of the winter usually.

 @andy-legrunge....'90 -'96 were my stomping ground years in Sedona and again '15 - '17. Simon hadn't discovered the White Line yet in the early 90's but we still rode some real shit back then..... and it's only gotten easier now with the tech improvement.

 @sloguy: Simon B the one to first ride white line?

 @GnarAZ: some might debate that it was Chewy.... but most will say Simon, yes.

 @andy-legrunge As someone who lives in the area, I'll put it like this. It's nice that Sedona has gotten recognition in the mountain bike world. It has lead to having more riding options, as well as more difficult trails that are legal now. And I definitely appreciate that. But the blown out trails when it's been dry for weeks n weeks, the people in the way constantly on trails and the lack of adequate parking, not so much.

 True dat!

 Everyone has done the White Line.

 @stevemokan: I'm doiung ah whte line as I type thish

 People also ride like idiots on motos in traffic, claiming skills keeps them alive. Or that one more bump of white lightning won't give them a heart attack. Or "surely this stripper surely doesn't have any STDs." Or "this hot sauce won't hurt THAT much later."

We all take our risks and walk away from others.

 @tuskenraider thank god for metal Mondays and Moi Moi