Excellent story of the rise of mountain biking in Sedona by the movement’s guru
By Alan Mills
This is a highly enjoyable book, even for those like me who are not part of Sedona's scene.
On the surface, it is a rollicking description of Sedona mountain biking, written by Ramajon, owner of its lead mountain bike store, and unofficial guru.
But buried in the book are a couple of other stories.
First, the story of the Forest Service's losing battle to control use of the national forests--specifically to exclude bikers, while allowing far more destructive grazing by cattle.
Second, there is an interesting juxtaposition of a hippyish biker, with an under layer of hard headed business man, who analyzed and understood the nature of the market--the connection between real estate boom and mountain biking.
Finally, there are small glimpses into Jon's personal life. He casually dropped a hint that his mother followed him when he moved to Sedona--or did he follow his mother? And there is no hunt of any lasting relationship, with anyone--male or female. Interesting choices for a guru. In contrast, several pages on one long-term relationship--with his dog!
All in all, a more compelling, and interesting, book than Jon may have intended! Give it a try.
Great read loaded with humor!
By Erin
What a great book written by the godfather of mountain biking in Sedona, Arizona. As a fellow ex-mountain biker from Sedona who used to ride with Gnarly Crew I have to say this book was such a pleasure to read. I rarely read books for entertainment purposes. When I got this book I figured it would take me some time to finish it, was I wrong. Within a few days it was over and loved every minute of it. Rama's writing style is great. It is as if he is sitting there with you reminiscing and tell you all of the great stories that made Sedona mountain biking what it is today. Looking forward to the next one already! Don't miss out on this great book, order it now and start the laughter.
A Great Story of Passion and Community
ByCatherine Carrigan
I happen to be one of those logical people who would rather not break her neck flying over the handlebars of a mountain bike, but I found great meaning in this book. Too many people never find their passion or their community. What this book is really about is what it feels like when you finally find your passion, which for Ramajon has been riding mountain bikes, and how meaningful life becomes when you actually connect to your community, which in this case is the crazy guys who ride through the canyons of Sedona. "It is better to live your visions and create your dreams than to not dream at all," Ramajon writes. Highly recommended for people who are tired of self help or spiritual books who would rather read a portrait of a truly self actualized person living in harmony with the world around him. This is happiness, meaning and high spiritual development personified!
This book is the real deal, read it, enjoy it, feel the spirit.
By Mike R PE
I rode with these guys 1996-1998 various group rides, as I work for auto company with test track near Phoenix, so I'd do a weekend overstay and "play" by MTB riding in Sedona/Flagstaff.
They were friendly, great riders, and brought for me the "fun" back into MTB riding.
We'd go out, find a spot, and then do certain things over-over to either get it right or just for the thrill of it. This book is the real deal, read it, enjoy it, feel the spirit. I fondly remember those days, this book is a great read for any MTB rider, and those adventure types.
The Gnarly Crew
By Judy M.
Hedonists? Yes. True to their own path? Definitely. Renegade Cyclists? Proudly!
Beyond a unique snapshot of the evolution of mountain biking and Sedona itself, this book captures the adventures of Dangerous Dave, The Gnod, Bullish Dude, etc and their narrative ring-leader, Rama: steeped in Eastern Philosophy, stubbornly independent, always a nano-step ahead of the curve. The characters are all worthy of description by a Steinbeck or Kesey, and captured here in the sometimes rough prose of the free-wheeling, ganga-fueled Nirvana seekers finding self-realization "Riding the Geological Wave!"
What a Ride!
By Thomas Carroll
RamJon's writing introduced me to a sport and a world that is much more colorful than I would have ever imagined. Though too sedentary myself, to ride farther than the nearest Starbucks... Rise of the Gnarly Crew placed me squarely on the side of riders as they face off with Forest Service personnel. A very personal account - gnarly writing - genuinely engaging. I think it actually got my heart rate up! Fun, informative and inspiring enough to make me consider going for coffee somewhere a little farther down the road!
Rise of the Gnarly Crew
By Laura
Some great anecdotes in the book and funny characters including the dog. I look forward to the next one. Made me long for the days when mountain biking was still in its infancy even though I am not from that area as well as want to go ride with that crew if I ever get out that way.
The Rise of The Gnarly Crew is most excellent!
By Karen Cook
The Rise of the Gnarly Crew is Most Excellent! Good read, like you're right there with the crew. Rama Jon is a top notch story teller. Ride on!
Sedona Mountain Biking: The Rise of the Gnarly Crew has been anticipated for quite some time by the Sedona Mountain Bike community which Rama was instrumental in setting up more than 20 years ago. This book is a history of how Sedona came to be one of the most visited mountain bike destinations in the world and gives the reader an insight into the wild and crazy sport of mountain biking, the characters that collected in the process and some of the adventures along the way.
This book is sure to entertain even those who never plan on getting on a mountain bike and is a delightful light read full of laughs. Kate Harkins an old friend of Rama's and an up and coming style editor commented that "your book reads just like you speak". And it is Rama's voice that has that nothing is sacred kind of sense of humor that allows people to laugh at themselves. In this process Rama is the first to point out that timing is everything and the timing he speaks about is beyond anything within our minds. As a way of giving back to the Sedona mountain bike community, Rama is donating 1$ from every book sold through his own website and social media connections to the Sedona Trail Stewardship Fund.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Ramajon is one of the pioneers of the Sedona mountain bike scene. Before his arrival on the scene there was no group mountain bike experience in Sedona and being the type of person that Ramajon is; he wanted to share Sedona's mountain biking with everyone who wanted and was willing to come along. Over the more than 20 years of Mountain Bike Heaven's existence thousands of local and out-of-town mountain bikers came along on one of those infamous club rides and had the time of their life. The Sunday Club Ride is still going on today more than a year after the closing of Mountain Bike Heaven. The community that Ramajon birthed has gone in many different directions, but the remnants still remain and many of the gnarly crew have been riding together for more than 20 years. If you're lucky enough to have been part of the experience you will always remember the fun you had, and if you're in the know, you can still stumble upon one of those infamous gnarly crew club rides today.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE BOOK
