The athletic teams at Sedona Red Rock High School aside, we don’t have a lot of opportunities for spectator sports here in Sedona, which is one of the reasons why the Sedona Bike & Brew Festival is such a blast. On Aug. 28 and 29, mountain bikers from across the state will take to the fairways of Sedona Golf Resort for the second annual event. Men, women and kids will bike a 6-mile track that will take them over all 18 holes and 90 acres of fairways, tee boxes, cart paths and natural and manmade features. A group ride and short-track races start at 4 p.m. on Aug. 28 while the main races begin Aug. 29 at 8 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and check out the fun, free of charge.
As the name implies, after the races on both days there will be an awards ceremony and festival featuring microbrews from Four Peaks Brewing Co. in Tempe and Oak Creek Brewing Co. in Sedona. The festival takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 28 and at noon on Aug. 29 at the golf course’s Juniper Bar & Grille. In addition to the brews, the festival will include food, music and cornhole games. It is open to the public.
Jeremy Hayman, general manager for Sedona Golf Resort, likens the spectator aspect of the festival to the infield at a race car event. Jeremy, who mountain bikes but is too busy organizing the festival to participate as a racer, says the vibe among the audience is lively. “It’s really fun,” he says. “Probably my favorite thing as a spectator was watching the kids. They were squirting the riders with squirt guns at the finish line, and then there were the kids races. In the 6 and [younger] category, anything goes – striders, trikes, wagons. It’s great to seem them smile.”
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Red Rock Trail Fund, which raises money for trail maintenance in Red Rock Country. Last year, 50 adults and 25 kids participated in the mountain bike race. “It’s going to get bigger every year,” says Jeremy. – Erika Ayn Finch. Photo by Jim Monahan.
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
