The Rise of THE Gnarly Crew - New Book!

Ramajon's Long Awaited Book is HERE:

Sedona Mountain Biking: The Rise of THE Gnarly Crew is a satirical commentary that chronicles the development of the Sedona Mountain Bike community.  Through the eyes of Rama, the Guru of Sedona mountain biking, you will be entertained with stories about the colorful characters including Shop Cat and get to come along on some of the Gnarly Crew’s adventures. From full moon rides, to snow rides, to the super gnarly birthday rides you will feel that you are part of the Crew.   You will even get to re-live the most publicized of all Gnarly Crew adventures, The Sedona 5’s Ride in the Grand Canyon.   Due to the huge interest in this book, there is already a sequel in the works called The Gnarly Crew Rides Again. 

 ORDER HERE:

http://www.amazon.com/Sedona-Mountain-Biking-Rise-Gnarly/dp/1627470042

Paperback

 Don't miss this exciting adventure... and more to come!

NOD FEST 2010!

JOIN US in November for
Mountain Bike Heaven's
21st Annual
World Famous International
NOD FEST
Sedona, Arizona, USA

Contact Mountain Bike Heaven for information:
Telephone: (928) 282-1312

Click here for Club Ride Info: www.mountainbikeheaven.com/clubr.html

Website: www.mountainbikeheaven.com

NODFEST 2009: Come Ride With Us In November!

NOD FEST 2009

Mountain Bike Heaven's
World Famous International
Gnarly Old Dude
(& Dudette) Festival
November 25 - 29, 2009
Sedona, Arizona, USA

It's that time of year to once again give thanks and pay homage to the Great Mountain Biking God - Bikapelli - for another year of great Mountain Bike Riding!

This year is extra special because Mountain Bike Heaven is in its 20th year of serving Mountain Bikers from all over the world who come to Sedona for the "Great Mountain Bike Ride."

In Sedona, it is a tradition to honor and give respect to the Elders. So every year, Mountain Bike Heaven celebrates their Elders: the NODs, or Gnarly Old Dudes (and Dudettes), as they like to be called.

NODs are mountain bikers who are 50 and older who are still out there being Gnarly. According to RAMA JON, founder of Mountain Bike Heaven (and the youngest Sedona NOD), being a NOD is not so much about age, but more of a state of mind. The NOD FESTIVAL is about celebrating those who have come before us and inspired us, as well as expressing the wild, ageless Spirit that lives inside us all.

The 2009 NOD FEST starts Wednesday 11/25 and continues thru Sunday 11/29... five days of raw, honest Red Rock mountain biking!

There will be rides every day. All Dudes and Dudettes are welcome. Call Mountain Bike Heaven for ride times. Bring your bike and all your gear and meet at Mountain Bike Heaven: 1695 West Hwy 89A, Sedona, Arizona, USA.

Click here for Club Ride Info: www.mountainbikeheaven.com/clubr.html

Contact Mountain Bike Heaven for information:
Telephone: (928) 282-1312

Website: www.mountainbikeheaven.com

NEW PUMPTRACK OPEN!!

oh yeah....


with help from simon bosman from green magic landscaping and his magical 'dozer, lots of shoveling and grooming, the pimptrack is now open for riding! bring a helmet and take a shot at robnarly's unofficial record of 22 laps w/o pedaling.
sessions @ 10am 0n wed, sat, & sun and 4pm on fri, sat, & sun.
robnarly will be there to give tips and advice.
come join us!

HappyHalloween?!?!?

Happy Halloween All!

Does anyone read these? Let me know-
I always thought it was strange to celebrate a day of the dead by dressing up in funny costumes and roaming around the neighborhood collecting candy.... but it was tons of fun as a kid, and almost more fun as an adult to see the crazy things people do when you give them a whole day when its OK to act a little strange..on my trip to the mailbox that morning i was surprised to see the Grim Reaper himself!
I pulled out my camera and shot some quick pictures-

Apparently on his way back from a stop at the liquor store or AM/PM on his mountain bike he narrowly missed me (he has done this multiple times).

Bike karma hit him hard as he picked up about 75 goathead thorns and got himself a flat tire. Of course the grim reaper has no slime in his tubes because "..he's not from around here.." and he's asking "Put what in where?" so after selling him on slime tubes(he digs the green color, reminds him of the ectoplasmic goo from ghostbusters) he was on his way.

Before he left he said that he was thinking about doing a pink jeep tour or balloon ride and sticking around for the NOD fest, mostly because of the mountain biking, and he loved his room at Los Abrigados "..their gym is great,and they have the best hot tubs..". his favorite ride so far is deadman's pass, but he also likes hanging out near the Devils kitchen.
That was just in the first few minutes I was at work that morning and over the day things degraded steadily. by lunch I had been accosted by an octopus and chased by a cardboard box with legs full of body parts and more- but I did get a good shot in on a telletubbie thing. kicked it right in the * if it has *. it ran away, but I'd swear it was laughing as it ran.. by the end of the day I was in full costume as a Celibate Drunken Monk. To drunk to take pictures, the rest of the eve. was a blur, but my headache the next morning told the tale of too much fun being had. what did you expect?; my first customer on halloween was the grim reaper!

gnarly crew @ rampage

the MTBH gnarly crew hit the road at 7pm on thursday oct 3 to see the greatest spectacle of freeride mountainbiking ever- the red bull rampage. arriving at the old venue from 04 at about 2:00am, we set up our tents, climbed into out sleeping bags and slept with dreams of freeride magic to come. not long after the first stirrings of the morning in the campground did the coffee start flowing, and with the coffee came the talk of the day- riding the old course. after a lengthy safety meeting and gear check we were on the mountain, hiking our big bikes up to the ridgelines. if you have never seen this type of terrain check out redbullrampage.com.
the videos, never do it justice- this place is steep and there are huge jumps and drops everywhere.
so there we were- standing on sacred ground- ready to throw down... to be cont.
here's some photos to get ya to come back and read the rest of the story.

NOD FEST 2008 in November...

NOD FEST 2008

Mountain Bike Heaven's
World Famous International
Gnarly Old Dude Festival
November 5 - 9, 2008
Sedona, Arizona, USA

In Sedona, it is a tradition to honor and give respect to the Elders. So every year, Mountain Bike Heaven celebrates their Elders: the NODs, or Gnarly Old Dudes, as they like to be called.

NODs are mountain bikers (men and women) who are 50 and older who are still out there being Gnarly. According to RAMA JON, founder of Mountain Bike Heaven (and the youngest Sedona NOD), being a NOD is not so much about age, but more of a state of mind. The NOD FESTIVAL is about celebrating those who have come before us and inspired us, as well as expressing the wild, ageless Spirit that lives inside us all.

The 2008 NOD FEST starts Wednesday 11/5 and continues thru Sunday 11/9... five days of raw, honest Red Rock mountain biking! Rides will be attended this year by MBH's own "The Original NOD."

There will be rides every day. All Dudes and Dudettes are welcome. Call Mountain Bike Heaven for ride times. Bring your bike and gear and meet at Mountain Bike Heaven: 1695 West Hwy 89A, Sedona, Arizona, USA.

Click here for Club Ride Info: http://www.mountainbikeheaven.com/clubr.html

Contact Mountain Bike Heaven for information:
Telephone: (928) 282-1312
Website: http://www.mountainbikeheaven.com/

GET READY TO HAVE LOTS OF FUN... NOD STYLE!!!

learning to fly....

From the Archives: Mountain Bike Heaven's Southwest Adventure Travel Show

Mountain Bike Heaven's

"Along the Bikapelli Trail"
Southwest Adventure Travel Show
starring Rama & The Sedona Gnarly Crew

RED CANYON
Panguitch, Southern Utah

Click to Watch (Hi Resolution Only):
Part 1 (2:23)
Part 2 (6:48)
Part 3 (1:10)
Part 4 (5:50)
Part 5 (3:06)
Part 6 (0:31)

Click here to read article: Red Canyon - The Trails

ZION
Panguitch, Southern Utah

Click to Watch (Hi Resolution Only):
Part 1 (1:15)
Part 2 (3:00)
Part 3 (7:12)
Part 4 (7:58)
Part 5 (1:37)


Click here to read article: Along the Bikapelli Trail


Video playback requires RealPlayer:
Click here to download Free RealPlayer

NOD Fest 2007 - Great Riding!

Thanks to all the great riders who showed up for the week long NOD Fest rides. There were riders from as far away as Germany and Holland, as well as riders from Canada and the States. Quite a few of our own Sedona Gnarly Crew members came out to play. There were not many riders from Phoenix, but there was a great showing of NODs from Tucson including Stan who won the oldest NOD title at 72 years old! Way to go Stan!

We've decided to annex Tucson as part of Canada so that next year the reluctant NOD will ride with the other NODs!'

A special thanks goes out to Rim Rock Water for donating cases of their special Hi-Energy, Structure-Enhanced 100% Natural Artesian Spring Water, known as AquaX, for the all the riders. We did not go thirsty! (Click here to learn more)

And then there was Kenny, a Sedona local, who took the opportunity during NOD Fest to actually learn how to ride a mountain bike. He was so good right from the start that he got mistaken for a real NOD…. He did have several “initiations” however out on the trail with the local vegetables. But all in all, not bad for a first timer. Way to go Kenny!

Mountain Bike Heaven extends a huge thank you to all the NODs and soon to be NODs who helped create the NOD Fest, which we’ve been threatening to do for over ten years. It has finally come to fruition!

Great riding and lots of fun! See you all out there on trail heaven!

NOD Fest 2007 Update

NOD FEST 2007 Update:

We had a great kick-off on Sunday 11/11 with an excellent turnout! The really Gnarly NOD Crew rode at 9am and was out for 4-5 hours. By the time they got back, the afternoon NOD Crew was just getting started. Their ride was laid-back and ended with a spectacular evening sunset up at Chimney Rock! Even Shop Cat got into the action, performing last-minute bike inspections before the riders left the building.

We ended the evening with a dinner BBQ. Great turn out and great riding!

Here is the RIDE schedule for the week (Sunday 11/11 thru Sunday 11/18):

Two rides daily:
Early-Bird Gnarlies RIDE at 9am
Afternoon Laid-Back Gnarlies RIDE at 2pm

If you want to ride, bring all your gear and meet at Mountain Bike Heaven located at 1695 W. Hwy 89A in Sedona, Arizona.

Call ahead to MBH (928) 282-1312 if you are going to ride.

A schedule of activities is posted on the Bulletin Board outside the back door of the shop.

There will be another BBQ on Sunday 11/18 after the rides.

Hope to see all of you out there riding!!!

pumps&jumpsv1

bnarlzbackflip

backflippin into jj's foam pit. 10/19/07

Come Ride With Us on 11/11 thru 11/18!

NOD FEST 2007
Mountain Bike Heaven’s
World Famous International

NOD (GNARLY OLD DUDE/ETTE) FESTIVAL

11/11 thru 11/18, 2007 (Sunday to Sunday)

Sedona, Arizona, USA

In Sedona, it is a tradition to honor and give respect to the Elders. So every year, Mountain Bike Heaven celebrates their Elders: the NODs, or Gnarly Old Dudes, as they like to be called.

And what on earth is a GNARLY OLD DUDE you anxiously ask?

NODs are any mountain bikers who are 50 or near 50 and who are still out there being Gnarly. According to RAMA JON, founder of Mountain Bike Heaven (and the youngest NOD), being a NOD is not so much about age, but more about a State of Mind. The NOD FEST is about celebrating those who inspire us, and about expressing the wild, ageless Spirit that lives in us all.

Although Rama says its not about age, he is currently the youngest NOD among the crew. He puts a challenge out there to all mountain bikers around the globe to come ride Sedona and see what it’s all about! All those who believe themselves to be worthy of riding in Sedona's Red Rock Country with Sedona's Gnarly Crew are invited to come ride, and have their lives changed forever!

(And yes, there are also Gnarly Old Dudettes!)

When does this FEST take place?

The 2007 NOD FEST starts Sunday 11/11 and continues thru Sunday 11/18... seven days and seven nights of raw, honest Red Rock Country mountain biking!

PRIZES will be given to the OLDEST and YOUNGEST NODs.

There will be two rides each day, one in the morning for the early birders (8 or 9am-ish) and one in the afternoon for the mored layed back folks (time to be determined).

Please call ahead to let us know you will be riding. Note: there may not be a ride that day/time if no one shows up.

Wanna Ride? Bring all your gear and meet at Mountain Bike Heaven: 1695 West Hwy 89A, Sedona, Arizona.

Click here for MBH Club Ride Info: http://www.mountainbikeheaven.com/clubr.html

Contact Mountain Bike Heaven for further details:
Telephone: (928) 282-1312
Website: http://www.mountainbikeheaven.com/

SEE YA THERE!!!

2007 NOD FEST

Mountain Bike Heaven is having it's world famous international NOD (GNARLY OLD DUDE) FESTIVAL in Sedona, Arizona, USA, November 11-18, 2007.

In Sedona, it is a tradition to honor and give respect to the Elders. So every year, Mountain Bike Heaven celebrates their Elders: the NODs, or Gnarly Old Dudes, as they like to be called.

And what on earth is a GNARLY OLD DUDE you anxiously ask?

According to RAMA JON, founder of Mountain Bike Heaven (and the youngest NOD), being a NOD is not so much about age, but more about a State of Mind. The NOD FEST is about celebrating those who inspire us, and about expressing the wild, ageless Spirit that lives in us all.
Although Rama says its not about age, he is currently the youngest NOD among the crew. He puts a challenge out there to all mountain bikers around the globe to come ride Sedona and see what its all about!

NODs are any mountain bikers who are 50 or near 50 and who are still out there being Gnarly. All those who believe themselves to be worthy of riding in Sedona's Red Rock Country with Sedona's Gnarly Crew are invited to come ride, and have their lives changed forever!

(And yes, there are also Gnarly Old Dudettes!)

When does this FEST take place?

The 2007 NOD FEST will be held NOVEMBER 11 - 18, Sunday thru Sunday... seven days and seven nights of raw, honest Red Rock Country mountain biking!

PRIZES will be given to the OLDEST and YOUNGEST NODs.

Wanna Ride? Just show up at Mountain Bike Heaven: 1695 West Hwy 89A, Sedona, Arizona.

Contact Mountain Bike Heaven for further details. Phone: (928) 282-1312. Visit our website at: http://www.MountainBikeHeaven.com

World Famous MBH Club Rides

Club Rides have been a tradition at Mountain Bike Heaven for more then 18 years and are World Famous!

Every week, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week, Mountain Bike Riders get together from all over to have a wild and crazy adventure out on the trail.

The Club Rides are held on Wednesday and Sunday Mornings with everyone meeting at the MBH Store located at 1695 West Hwy 89A in Sedona, Arizona. Ride times are always posted at the Store and vary depending on the season.

These rides are free, and all are welcome. Some rides are more technical than others. MBH also offers MTB Skills Classes. Call MBH at (928) 282-1312 for Current information.

A visit to Sedona is not complete without an Adventure with the gnarly crew.
Come On Along...

For more information visit the MBH Website at: http://www.mountainbikeheaven.com/clubr.html

Sedona MTB Homegrown Videos

Mountain Bike Heaven Video:
Sedona Gnarly Crew Vol. 1

This hour long video has it all. Extreme Action, Incredible Sedona Scenery and Sedona MTB Information.

You'll meet the Sedona Gnarly Crew: Simon who loves steep, rocky, insane lines, Dangerous Dave who knows no fear and rides anything and everything, Crazy Steve who says "technically, everything's rideable." There's Amp, Hard Time, Terrapin Hound, Trouble, Bogus Dude, Bullish Dude, Caffinated, DR, The Matster, Frankasaurous, Johnny, the NOD, and of course Rama, the founder of Mountain Bike Heaven.

So if you're planning a trip to Sedona or just crave juicy MTB Action in the Red Rocks of Sedona, this video is for you...

Order Info: Contact Mountain Bike Heaven at (928) 282-1312, or go to www.MountainBikeHeaven.com/video.html.

Mountain Bike News with Rama Jon - Josh 2

Mountain Bike News
with Rama Jon 12/99

JOSH - PART TWO

Miracles happen and even in Sedona where we expect miracles to happen, when they do happen it is way special. Combined with the Holiday spirit, this miracle is what stories are made of. Last week Josh Smith returned home after nearly four months in the hospital recovering from a serious mountain bike neck injury. Josh was determined to walk out of neuro rehab, and as we watched his progress, no one but Josh himself and perhaps his mom and dad believed he would accomplish this goal.

Well, surpise, surprise, Josh has accomplished his goal. Several days after returning home, Josh walked into the bike shop on his own power. Sure, he’s walking a little slow compared to his old self, but he is walking, and that feat alone will make this Holiday season one that will always be remembered as special.

Josh’s road to recovery has not been a bowl of cherries. His ups and downs have made all of us wonder whether he would walk again. Perseverance, a little luck and a lot of prayer by Josh, his family and his friends have brought Josh back to us. Presently, his playful nature has been replaced by a philosophical seriousness that will be called upon in the next steps of his healing.

For all the trials and tribulations, Josh’s spirit is way strong and it is clear that being home will excelerate his recovery. Of course, the first thing we did for Josh when he got home was to set up a bicycle on a wind trainer so that he could have an adjunct to his physical therapy routine. It did my heart good to know that Josh is back on a bike again. At this point, getting some meat back on Josh’s bones is of top priority. After nearly four months on IV and then on cafeteria style hospital food, Josh’s taste buds are ready for a workout again.

As we reflect back on the year and the last decade of the millenium, Josh’s accident certainly is an event that has changed us all. A once carefree attitude has been replaced by a masked cautiousness. With any luck, the next millenium will be an injury free one.

Mountain Bike News with Rama Jon - Josh 1

Mountain Bike News
with Rama Jon 9/99

JOSH - PART ONE

Mountain biking is a dangerous game and accidents do happen. Sometimes these accidents can be quite tragic. Several weeks ago, four Sedona mountain bikers headed to Page for a road trip. As the first ride began, Joshua Smith, an expert mountain biker, was dealt a hand of fate that has landed him in critical care. Through a miscalculation, Josh took a header into slick rock and was knocked unconscious. Fortunately, his friends were near and his breathing was restored almost instantly. Through the use of technology, in this case a cellular phone and a GPS unit, we were able to contact Page Search and Rescue, and Josh was airlifted out within 30 minutes of the accident from the middle of nowhere.

Josh’s blow to the head caused a great deal of trauma in his neck and currently Josh has been in a struggle for recovery. His friends and family have shown tremendous support, and this combined with Josh’s spirit and drive is helping him make huge strides. It’s shocking to see your friend in the hospital, much more so in critical care. It makes the simple things in life so much more important, like breathing on your own. A lesser man might give up, but Josh is not like that. The changes his friends have seen from the first night to the present are so remarkable, that there is little doubt in anyone’s mind that Josh will be back riding his mountain bike before too long.

Josh’s road to recovery has already taken him through some of the biggest battles of his life. He has come through in shining colors and seems to make progress on a daily basis. As Josh recovers, the rest of us mountain bikers have to deal with continuing our sport knowing how easy it is to get hurt. There probably aren’t too many mountain bikers out there who don’t have some injury story or lingering pain. These injuries all seem so insignificant compared to critical care, but just like all of us, I’m sure Josh can’t wait to get back on his mountain bike. Josh, we’re waiting for you, and it just won’t be the same until your back out riding with us again.

Josh’s accident was a freak occurrence, but in mountain biking freak accidents can occur in the parking lot just as easily as on the trail. I find it’s best to start off on rides at an easy pace simply to get the feel for the terrain and to see how in tune you are today. This is especially true if you are on a road trip and have been cooped up in a car for any length of time. It’s normal to be amped in this situation, and it may require self control to be sure you're all warmed up before you get radical on the trail. And then, there are the mountain bikers like Josh, who seem to thrive on those moments of death defying situations. As one noted mountain bike daredevil says, "Cautiously dangerous out on the trail."

Josh, keep up the good work. Our prayers are with you!

The Volcano Boyz

THE VOLCANO BOYZ

Hard Time and Tim are two crazy MTB Boyz. They like to do one thing on their MTB's, ride sick, steep, out of control lines anywhere they can find 'em. On this particular adventure they found themselves on the Volcano fields outside Flagstaff, AZ. This place is a free for all... You got dune buggy's, motocrossers, sand rails, and now mountain bikes. The motorized locals thought these boyz were Crazy, hiking their bikes up these cinder cones... "What's an hour up for these kind of downhills anyway!" sayz HT.

The boyz may have inhaled a little too much Carbon Monoxide this day from all those stinkers... Being a little confused they ended up hiking the wrong cone, a national monument or something, and got some big fines... $600 smackers. Well now they know the boundaries.

When asked what's next, the boyz replied, "Well, we're working on the permits for Everest. We figure the downhill is long enough to justify the climb..."

You heard it here.. we'll keep you updated...

Click here to View the Volcano Video Clips