That said, there are a few trails that Ive run into that dont match the authors description quite right. For example, I dont think most people would consider Lower Oldham Trail in Flagstaff "No Sweat" or "Darn Easy". Certainly, its not the hardest trail in Flagstaff, but it is no trail for beginners or the family, which these ratings may imply. Up is pretty brutal and even down - well, there is a pretty sustained, somewhat technical climb involved. And the comment "If you love to carve some level grove, this is the ride for you" - the trail doesnt gain a ton of altitude, but does have some step ups and downs. This description is much more accurate for the nearby "Jump Trail."

FYI - If I were reading this review, Id wonder if the author (me) is just a weak rider. All I can say is that there areother trails in the same that are actuall substantially easier (aerobically) yet rated harder than this one.

Anyway, dont be misled. If you are into Mountain Biking in AZ, buy the book - it is well worth it. But if dont know the area and youve got beginners or kids with you (or are not used to pedaling at 7000-9000 ft), you may want to check with the local bike shop for a little more insight into the best trails for you.

"One had to wonder if Ray rode that ride." I assure you Mr. Tlandmd, Ray rode that ride . . . and many many more that were not good enough to make the book. I ride a 7 year old Merlin hardtail. I have ridden every trail in the Sedona, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson area over the past 20 years. If you ride a trail in my book, I have ridden that trail before you.

My descriptions have usually been described as excellent. I am sorry they are not to your liking. The loops in my book do not require shuttles and I avoid long stretches of dirt or paved roads myself. However, they may be shown as an option for anyone not caring to do an out and back, preferring to bail and take the faster albeit less fun way home.

Regarding some trails left out of my guide known as "secret". Yes, there are secret trails in Sedona. Hence the name. Many of these are not legal and are left for you to find on your own. However, what you hear from a bike shop in a verbal description and what I print are two different things. There is some legal responsibility to a certain government agency involved here.

Finally, regarding your complaint about being unable to find your way around Mt. Elden in Flagstaff. I do not see your point. The turns all have wooden signs with the name of the trail, distance and directions engraved thereon. You also have a problem with a trail not included. "One segment that had sick exposure, log crossings, and technical rocks was missing from the guide." You were not looking carefully Mr. Tlangmd, the name of that trail is Jedi. It is there in black and white. I like that trail too. Perhaps you should bring the book along on your next ride.

If you have any further complaints, compliments, questions or other feedback for me, my e-mail addy is on the last page of the book. I look forward to hearing from you.

I have now ridden about 10 of the rides in this book in sedona, cottonwood, flagstaff and prescott in 2002-3. There are incredible trails, but the maps are really not so good and the written descriptions of the turns and trails are lacking. One had to occasionally wonder if Ray rode that ride!

Mingus mountain DH stunk and was not puck 10, just a lousy, dusty, long ride on road. Drive to the top of the mountain and then drive back down, or camp up there to prepare for riding at the Flagstaff altitude.

The "loops" that ray makes often include long segments of road riding to get home-maybe better to do out and back rides or arrange shuttles in the sedona area. The trails in the Bell Rock area and Secret Trails are incredible. The map lacked an awesome area with hucks up in the secret trails area. Inquire at the local bike shops when planning a ride to find out about this sort of thing.

Flagstaff has the Schultz trail/Elden road system and these trails are also incredible and technical. One segment taht had sick exposure, log crossings, and technical rocks was missing from the guide, as best as we could tell. The descriptions of the trail intersections in this part were sorely lacking and we wasted lots of time daily trying to figure out what to do.

Since several editions of this book have been published, one would expect more accurate and detailed stuff.

If someone has a better book, let us know. For now, I guess we have ray.

Each ride is accompanied by a description and a map. The description includes time, distance, effort, skill, route find-ability and fear factor (puck-o-meter 1 to 10!) If you are short on time, premium rides are indicated with a special "premium ride" icon.

Rating ride difficulty is a subjective science and Cosmic Ray makes it clear that he is an intermediate to advanced rider. He rates the trails for the average rider, not the racer nor the total weenie. Most trails lean toward the intermediate/advanced rider with a few severe trails thrown in to add some spice. There are a few easy trails as well.

Cosmic Rays maps are cartoony looking but he says they are adapted (traced) from topos. They are pretty much to scale and oriented north. The detailed descriptions and mileage log fill in where a map just cant do the job. I found the distances to be pretty close, but not 100% perfect. Any semi-experienced mountain biker can easily work around this.

The best part of this book is Cosmic Rays sense of humor. It makes for a good read with lots of laughs whether you ride or not.

On the other hand, if you are like the reviewer who dissed Fat Tire because you encountered a rock, hill or mud, you should stay safe at home and watch a mountain bike video. Give me a break, Mr. Wankersmith

Each ride is accompanied by a description and a map. The description includes time, distance, effort, skill, find-ability, best season to ride and fear factor (puck-o-meter 1 to 10 !) If you are short on time, premium rides are indicated with a special "primo ride" icon.

Rating ride difficulty is a subjective science and Cosmic Ray makes it clear that he is an intermediate/advanced rider. He rates the trails for the "average" rider, not the racer and not the total weenie. Most trails lean toward the intermediate/advanced rider with a few severe trails just to add some spice. There are a few easy trails as well.

Cosmic Rays maps are cartoony looking, but he says they are adapted (traced) from topos. They are pretty much to scale and oriented north. The detailed descriptions and mileage log fill in where a map just cant do the job. I found the distances to be mostly pretty close, but not 100% perfect. Any semi-experienced mountain biker can easily work around this.

The best part of this book is Cosmic Rays sense of humor. It makes for a good read with lots of laughs whether you ride or not.

In the very beginning of the book, Ray tells how he rates the rides. He describes himself as a "seedy but sincere middle age male in reasonably good shape" so you have something with which to compare your own level of ability. Then he goes on to tell how the ride felt to himself regarding effort, skill, fear factor (the puck-o-meter rules!). The contour profile lets you know what a ride is like at a glance. If the profile is flat, its easy. On the other hand, if you see that you have a 5000 foot climb coming up, be warned it aint no weenie ride.

If you must complain about roots, rocks, mud, sand, dirt etc., then this is not the book for you. If you need a topo map,a GPS and a hand to hold to find your way around a well signed trail, again, this is not the book for you. If you want directions, buy a map. If you want adventure, this is it.

Rays maps are usually right on the money. They are cartoony but look as though the route has been traced from a topo . . . oriented north and pretty much to scale. You can tell that he puts a lot of effort into giving you the feeling that he is right beside you along for the ride with lots of insightful tips. Whether you are an expert or a complete novice, this is a great book and Rays sense of humor makes it a kick to read whether you ride or not.