I had been home from the Tour Divide for a month and a half and had done a few rides. The heat was really affecting me, mostly due to a mild spring and just as things began to crank up - I left for a month of cool weather riding up north. Upon my return it was consistently 110ยบ and I couldn't seem to get out to the trail before the sun came up. Not a good combination.
I needed to get up north, back in the cooler pines of northern Arizona. Mike was free on Friday, but we needed to be back by 3p, so our choices were a bit limited. I then recalled a trail in Payson I've been meaning to check out for a couple of years. Trail 200.
It must have been 20+ years since I've ridden any trails within Payson's town limits. There are some good trails there, just not a ton of miles. The town does have plans to add more trails, check out the
Payson Area Trail System (PATS). From what I could gather, Trail 200 was a figure eight and about 7 miles or so. There's really not a trailhead, just a small dirt shoulder in a cul-de-sac.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4RSQEKY_B62Xa5uepSnI_ptCpgnNyI_XKycjBXqAdHYdSdtrzBZfQj4uLL09i-E4ZRPkEUg-H1LDtH4cRpd7JsBrgb4mFfsDqhBjvwtRPrTIQgBDI39FOUb0hv-zBbe-bgs25kptjFmy/s400/IMG_20190816_094200.jpg) |
The trail skirts a few houses before diving into the goods. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZN3yAp2wB1QRwW1PEvRTLMRQ_BaLpIEacU_d3wibTb4W8vfEqoU-jrRORUjMvEAhyphenhyphenfZ9iGLARFPLR3gpDRXspLI9CgU_iASa2R1Gy2XLLPxVYVlAo_fsJScidFd70U42-tOo8ffM9s9kp/s400/IMG_20190816_094449.jpg) |
Almost instantly we knew this was going to be good. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbYV-bbRK3Ep9Atc_ltfibBvF0JVsBXv40Qw-0vhqK53b_gowJF95gUcY5-2N4AIn_voSdrCovAicyhh5nzDbdCdN49YucjQCo6BJtUrbR8hp2d0d8Mod_Y-MqhiIJsuzJ2z5NlWkycW2/s400/IMG_20190816_095044.jpg) |
Mike negotiating a switchback. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDOIUSy-fT1PYNabdgiXGNRYeDOV-0D9Mn9h437RzbHoGUw7-pqD6SVXofjrDdc1Xyj-kmyOcOSDoEsvrF4_6f_6IWbbePHOyjURL-m191ei8teFl8XjUalz0Y83hMhZGn753lbEQMK9C/s400/IMG_20190816_095056.jpg) |
Singletrack through the trees and a random giant boulder. |
We saw a well developed trail forking off to the left after the boulder. The trails I had ridden many years ago were that direction and not far away. Seemed like a logical connector trail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JgcjBujyfLkm5VMJs9LYgkaI5VXAeqLz2qCIcB_gCjNV_wgWzT9qLEZDJYPzqydYGTozsnjGVQlImMXWudXkM3_eO1LR14ZI-IfgWR-AQwuvGtxRgnVyyuFN5ZZwDKrK3wkPkn88d_pZ/s400/IMG_20190816_095854.jpg) |
We found this rock outcropping, not sure the significance of the Dream Catcher & astronomy pictographs. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02VCrSCY20dEUj8u_jhUxy-I1TxZCHFqlZs0lH15ISB1dg_9M52eoc5AJSGcpiX_TPiSiQeqdw8YLPrXZYnVc-YGWzD1Rh7KcJM5lBtCs8AxlnnO4rr5L5CYs22ag-WaSjZFTSPu7cAjR/s400/IMG_20190816_095915.jpg) |
This area had quite a few spider trails. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWIIH2tO5YmaNy3_Gpqxy_iyiTNCrblp6RhkkrPHb477A_OrZfvGUl8HeCLCshHKJbEX9wYjYPCxpQxGbvORtHjQuuD_Je8qP_Aje2yXHv1cbcSaE-7pfsxQV7J7vERoMSkbfGa5N-Ref/s400/IMG_20190816_100504658_HDR.jpg) |
Cool looking tree bark. Photo by Mike. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA2Pd9tqMBSq85BPvjbfTD9zQ4ohTC3QGVSIx10dE3D0ZjGJ4u6LSUg0CGn5edCFVf5hGvvEG41Xw9Zs-JCiJKjf9-9AkUj-eD74yYS9fpR6TLYUWgrqm3WIKRY3qvbpVd6UIbUPxa8Np/s400/IMG_20190816_103720.jpg) |
The mid-section of the figure 8 was a short, loose grunt that had my legs & lungs burning, but the view at the top was well worth the effort. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu5hUK1RuWcN_ZRGC_-5QMGZVyaQaTuZTImI4ThlwRJVGtAgso5SRLIz8uGdR3tQIrP53J0nUdQ7MtC1QkZvWuTbW980Y1vAgX3ACjNKg2XD8cPJzMmEwQZVt4p_i9oj9FvQ7lmYAgOWN/s400/IMG_20190816_103804.jpg) |
Peering across Houston Mesa to the Mogollon Rim in the distance. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Ihwe_q1MiBaTQ1bKGWLcKV2FJi6AERJKmhLZnQfij14f1jQ_taj1d79qU4oc16ZuG7fGQh_EXWn7iLLMksYh3Z1biIbUy86l594fh_BmjFr6g5jHw98D36_dWY16ZtFLhnlyRrwGjpG/s400/IMG_20190816_103905.jpg) |
Mike getting some chute action. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagrslot7xHZN1rS1fVLpQ7VAudy-lBffcrCJ6t8L-jGh2n9bzuqDMhILUOyM9MhVLG7HqXuGsN5b8c5J3MZsCZkDMyW1NMhXr5dOU4K2DvHyVM2JVbx1YfJ_ZXcmqVV8dtLVcc7rNo_tO/s400/IMG_20190816_103913.jpg) |
The trail is well built with a few tough moves. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3LHcCgaAcK0v4nByaExEhJsK-dGXZZfrIQCCcqidFAKq2uL7bxTrl06OY51Es0vxkbWKYz1NJjc84JsSp97KIyLNQFFH8alhPbGLv8uEmsyrOPn4mpEszeMRbC6N11WtZ7nnuhwtzoTa/s400/IMG_20190816_104303.jpg) |
It also has its share of quick luge-like bursts. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr01id9H9J8xjTKZi1zo2y45ojSMEHaqeddczXSBj3htdUaig8ziZ8Oa-dIq6ThulbvpPnPVc5dGJKARQ9xOFa6D-2xGELzNt71E3rfHXDu48e7Qv6I76d5M3Xnb0IyG5Ssh39JTqowj5/s400/IMG_20190816_104436559-EFFECTS.jpg) |
Miniature Thor's Hammer. Photo by Mike. |
We were cruising along the far end of the figure 8, in & out of trees. I came to small section with a few embedded mid-sized rocks. I rolled over the first and was about to lift my front wheel over the second, but was a smidge too late. My front tire halted forward progress at the exact moment I applied maximum force to the pedals. Guess what happened next? That's right, rear wheel started to elevate, but in slow motion fashion. My weight was completely shifted forward and I slowly extended my arms until I was practically in a handstand. I cleared the bike and stood up, no harm, no foul, but check out how the bike ended up!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm6hDcvHjZwEjP0-0URn52wHTfUuClWLnC4KgQJ9XdHP-Xkjy_2e2hqG5TIKlnDut5H4rb704Mz9shafKmoBKCiGipZHUUjU9kF0P41H2IJBuwssmNal_QMfQK0naHDU2d9-TaeTy3HiH/s400/IMG_20190816_114117803_HDR.jpg) |
Not staged!!! It's practically hung like a Christmas tree ornament. |
We had a good laugh over that one. Then resumed the twists and turns through the trees.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWuXhttDaG_paS1MWJKXv1E1ocW6vwhpd3eijz7nq-OIkuuD3qjz4MpUTvoWHWjD6tA1XVWXfyIQnAG5gkrrQecNgEY49bmpqRPyuuTHNIaFtpUEKlvxiS2AlhHdRdPvbgM3qSssJnk7M/s400/IMG_20190816_114522.jpg) |
More giant boulders. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75iC6PzEK1AS_KCYmb73zheeqfBatgNRHrzcmPg7-TZAqZq_EnHGlq64aScjWJa8aB3PcVj2HtrjppRf7WzTyqhQPOHB-hSHX5s5cd2U6JxLH21DLxadZCP610eteHTn2W6IyzqfvAjgY/s400/IMG_20190816_114537.jpg) |
It was getting into the low 90's, but the tree cover kept the temps manageable. |
Once again we were cruising along and passed though a redrock open area with a small ledge. I rolled it and as I began rounding the next corner it sounded like a gunshot...PSSHHEWW!!! Mike's tire was flat instantly, sealant spewed all over.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEXYPRZBbUuqOP0RYQGWwzNL2r06u7xSmsj5r7cD9n5tho82HxNgzA7H_RRoLDNO_KH6oM79ZUEe4eU8UyeXYNajZZ0MBx1eQNIR7FYnZPMPcTencvp1NLo9q10uMT7QU602H20MUQgiw/s400/IMG_20190816_120227.jpg) |
This was quite the puncture. One Dynaplug & two tire bacon strips wouldn't seal it. Time for the tube. 45 minutes later, we were pedaling again. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EuAENv9B0SU9GHB_KK7JzVLopuSBlGLyOhtkPWZAxaWCUJpipH27ZBCC8oUVY6Q5USUihkodHUTH1vkIARw4uFBlOI35wp7e2pkMUOClXlVx7_I8bUPtLh1uRQ2EletF62baFHd36xnD/s400/IMG_20190816_122628.jpg) |
We were really enjoying the layout of the trail and the topography. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmubB9ICACQiBkvosJLDcyDIrkGWCeQv0KZgJIvzrryKExETZQgJUCz5HielmUra4vH_GzykCO6k4n1GmMHCAvnAVF2HBKJUGOKoh_-Ixy17UC0jw0BpRE8I0o5dUV5GlQqzcQs6mLvByU/s400/IMG_20190816_124350.jpg) |
Plenty of tech moves through this section. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6RXitlmppdXmcvnYuHPFh-NRS3GVRpD23btyvAS01D-spFGZpwvsmXHZ_Qh1W4H0OTO7kFWUTo-jGe-WmzpbksSLfpKebNSTgrecGTs5HCn5gCJW3FUqQKKxQHUwktzZjqkCwttPFzV4/s400/IMG_20190816_124356.jpg) |
A little reminiscent of Hiline trail in Sedona, not quite the penalty for failure though. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo7V9WKMVh_yRU28oNtII1VzHGkM7H-cBCEcLSWEXPedIekAL4A40wQDa3QIyIftTk1YHfcOX6sfh4BR2bSA7H9DaOgYG-19bjGoQMmDIR_JsNEH7kDTfsIbKgduoZW0o9n0LNIFljGRD/s400/IMG_20190816_124524.jpg) |
Comes complete with a wooden bridge. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir06NBKyyv6hTPNxnEj4yr57Tj3oeYFtoMvzEqaJ_0M3Hsa_5aT77JgMapto5ihFhDoPRj5UozqFAGcYySCObsZ_YLnlEEI055Rst_b1W8gNEBbxrI1fls0umSTujhCwayqc25vdZ-8giA/s400/IMG_20190816_124741096.jpg) |
A few of the areas had plenty of B-line options to session. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXpNXUN8-lRcNwZh7FelK-c-LD8ywlCY5iKtHKLvJhHwYYvWQgocP07NjOJCpAArKyeMEAaXw4iVtbbyW9O1Ffoq_iNiT5l4vs3GwUDwL_9jpMRIjHnDqDE_LLg8RuvAGIrqYYFHwlxwU/s400/IMG_20190816_124842034.jpg) |
Wait a second, did we transport via portal to Sedona?? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsjsWxB9kftmeyELheZXWGIHMR_gFOKPguKzoptEowBrgkflS4M72RDkwsKjDvDpn0ODTEYysbkc7DIo2J94tdlBQqM-Y_zyGfABuy3SoAod4O-X4_Y_Al-lZpZVAZWbcby_UfeLXO-A5/s400/IMG_20190816_124920.jpg) |
Portal to a Sedona Vortex?? Ok, this is getting creepy. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zutfASkGMUS7i72XGEyjA4vW3q37DS_PjXulVTfoYwUtY_7kfNoVS7MvAIYfI8WgDzySgOKoKIS-hseqbDJRopyHdJ2sKrKvcR0kKVuc1oap8fEmbU_JVVv86ros2BzPkpUtR10S4-3k/s400/IMG_20190816_125330.jpg) |
JRA: Just Riding Along and snap!! These happen to be the pedals I rode on the Divide. I guess they would've broke on me somewhere along the climb up Marshal Pass. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lcqskColqW4zFqpZF8KySecX-t_0etBEc4kD3crsmtfxzt-nfvYxcF_uVniDnxOXmRe9SwJvsgBFPueGRpCUxP0h0_-Ei7TOcPfa85XFGbH5s_oVggyJ0fuomP4GtDj9go8UJHahB-rd/s400/IMG_20190816_125642.jpg) |
Now it has a Prescott vibe. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ3fK65ekvQMFoKO2tqUUUVq8TvfNFCiwS1TNtibWPA9LVEyu3i7puutWTAMAJUAAUyh0EcGFwa7l0hIt6hsRfB2veJBmqewv5saWBBbcz1goVdk6kanwtUaT77yA2braPLU9UB1YEtQP/s400/IMG_20190816_130151.jpg) |
Mike spotted an optional rock to play on. |
We were getting short on time for Mike to get back by 3p thanks to the blown tire and extended lunch break with too much BS'ing. It took us 3 1/2 hours to ride a little over 7 miles!! Ha! Super fun trail though and I'll be back for sure. It definitely links into the Boulders trail for additional mileage. With some route sleuthing I'm sure I can come up with a loop of sorts around Payson. I know Mike would be game...
Route:
No comments:
Post a Comment