While my RBA compatriot Neil Shirley braved the snow storm in Lake Tahoe that put a stop to stage one of the Amgen Tour of Calfornia, I was lucky enough to be graced with gorgeous sunny skies in Sedona, Arizona, courtesy of the folks from Magura, Vaude and Uvex. For the sixth year running, the brands have hosted their yearly product launches at a press camp in Sedona, and joining them for the first time this year were Crank Brothers and SKS Germany. With the promise of sneak peeks at some road wares, I bid adieu to the palatial RBA offices in Southern California and headed east to Sedona's Light House vacation home (allegedly owned by the good folks who produce Purina Dog Chow).

Sedona is a town of about 12,000 residents that's an hour-and-a-half drive north of Phoenix and is home to an eclectic mix of artists, hippies and those seeking a life "off the beaten path." It's more well-known in the cycling community as a haven for mountain bikers, but Sedona's smooth roads, few automobiles and absolutely stunning scenery make it a fantastic destination for roadies as well. And while most of our host brands were showing off their latest off-road wares, and our demo rides consisted of some pristine trail-riding on 4 and 5 inch travel mountain bikes, there were still plenty of products on hand that the roadie crowd will dig.

German sports wear company Uvex currently supplies helmets and sunglasses to professional road teams Francais de Jeux and Netapp. Their top-of-the-line FP3 helmet is a favorite among their sponsored riders, and the FP3 CC (above) differs from the road model only in that it comes with a minuscule, removable visor.

Made in Germany, the FP3 features a vertically-adjustable retention system and a large dial that can be easily operated with one hand. New for 2011 are a variety of colorways, while the matte white and a FDJ-replica livery remain some of the most popular options.

Uvex's line of athletic sunglasses is nearly twenty-strong, with the Hawk (left) and the Active being two of their most popular models in the US. Both feature lenses that offer protection from 100% of UV rays and are scratch resistant. The Active comes in six frame colors while the Hawk comes in four frame colors and also features a lens changing system, and soft, adjustable ends that can be molded for a custom fit.

German manufacturer SKS produces a variety of parts and accessories for roadies, mountain bikers, city cyclists and commuters. Their wide range of pumps are great for everyone, and the Revo Valve Lock mini-pump is particularly useful for roadies. Weighing in at 142 grams, the aluminum-bodied Revo features a "twist grip" locking mechanism which secures the pump to either a Presta or Schrader valve stem. Also, unlike most mini-pumps, the Revo features a hidden pressure gauge that lets you know exactly how much air you're putting into your tires - even on the roadside. It comes with a bracket for attaching the pump to your frame, and a 125-gram carbon version is also available.

Perfect for the home mechanic who has everything, the SKS Airchecker allows you to monitor the precise air pressure in your tires at any given time. Featuring a digital readout with a lighted display, the 45-gram Airchecker can be swicthed between "PSI" and "Bar" pressure formats, and is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves.

Weighing in at only 28 grams, the carbon fiber X-Cage bottle cage is a bare-bones, lightweight cage that will securely hold a bottle in place. The clean, swooping lines and simple aesthetics would look good on almost any road frame.

SKS produces no less than eleven saddle bags, and one of their most popular is the Race. Available in a variety of the sizes, the Medium shown above weighs 165 grams and measures 110 x 90 x 110 mm, and can be expanded up to an additional 40 mm. There's room for two tubes, two air cartridges, and a mini-tool with plenty of space left over. Best of all, the Race saddle bag features a quick-release mechanism for easy removal - simply position the circular adapter on top into the supplied bracket mounted to your saddle and turn ninety degrees.

California-based Crank Brothers is best known for their line of mountain bike products, including pedals, wheels, seatposts, handlebars and stems. But most of their soft goods can easily be applied to road riding, such as their Caption saddle bag. A strong contrast to SKS' saddle bags, the minimalist Caption has a 0.5-liter volume, which isn't much, but will hold the bare essentials for any road ride. The molded, nylon shell provides plenty of durability and protection from the elements, retails for $30, and it even comes with a 5-year warranty.

Who says you can't use a mountain bike saddle on a road bike? After a day in the dirt on the trails of Sedona, I was plenty comfortable thanks to the Iodine 3. Your saddle is the most "personal" piece of equipment on your bike, so make sure you get the one that fits you best. Designed for mountain biking, the Iodine 3 is plush, but not overtly so. Its leather cover is top-quality, features a replaceable rail system, and the saddle itself is made in Italy. Also available in a white colorway, the Iodine 3 retails for $110.

One of the most important pieces of gear for commuters is a quality bag, and Crank Brothers produces a fine few. Their Alley messenger bag features a 26-liter main compartment, dedicated laptop compartment that has a water-resistant entry, and can accommodate laptops up to 17 inches. The nylon and polyester Alley also features a one-hand adjustable, over-sized aluminum buckle, retails for $150 and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Vessel Terra Porcelain Coffee Tumbler

If there's anything we're as fanatical about as bikes at RBA, it's coffee. The folks at Crank Brothers are too, and at the press camp, they provided us with custom porcelain tumblers from Vessel Drinkware. The double-walled tumblers are great for both cold and hot drinks up to 170 degrees, and come with a silicon lid. Tumblers such as these are resuable and help eliminate the excessive use of paper and foam disposable coffee cups found at most coffee houses.

A stranger in a strange land. Despite our demo rides being the epitome of epic mountain bike riding, I opted for my trusty Road Bike Action kit to get me across the red dirt trails of Sedona. French bike manufacturer Commencal doesn't make road bikes, but their carbon Meta 55 trail bike was more than capable of tackling Sedona's narrow ridgeline trails. After some splendid adventures on the dirt, I'm eager to get home where the Amgen Tour of California is currently underway. Be sure to check out RBA's continuing coverage of the race, as well as an inside look at Neil Shirley's quest to conquer the Breakaway From Cancer Challenge!