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Bicycle
Touring in the Rim Country Area
Bicycle
Trail Rides and Road Tours in and around Payson Arizona |
| WELCOME
TO RIM COUNTRY!
Below
the Majestic Mogollon Rim there is Rim Country, right
here in Arizona. Where we have 4 mild seasons that make
this part of the country great for outdoor activities
of all kinds, and that certainly includes Bicycling.
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View from
Monument "Peek" |
Payson
is nestled
in the mountains
at about 5000 feet above sea level below
the majestic Mogollon Rim, a huge cliff
structure, an escarpment, 200 miles long from
west to east. We are continually 15 to
20 degrees cooler in
the summer than Phoenix, 90 miles to the south
of us.
We
reside within the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine
in the world, where we have four mild seasons,
and yes, this part of Arizona does get snow.
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Our
trails consist of several experience and endurance levels.
We travel from the mountain terrain to more level hillside
and rim-top riding. All if it is exuberating with breathtaking
scenery.
There
are 2 basic kinds of day rides available: mountain bike
rides and road rides. The rides can be accomplished
in 2 to 4 hrs. A real devoted rider could fit a morning
tour and an afternoon tour in on a Saturday.
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Green Valley
Road
Green Valley
Park
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Beginner
Rides: Available upon Request
Intermediate
Rides:
Tour
De Payson - 35mi - 2 hours
Tour of the
Town of Payson with a few miles outside the
town limits
Intermediate
To Advanced Rides:
Ride for the Rim
- 50mi - 1/2 day
Ride
in the cool breezes beneath the swaying 100
year-old Ponderosa Pines.
(up the rim to Forest Lakes and back)
Houston
Mesa Ride
-
48mi approx. 2.5
hours. Scenery varies from high desert to tall
Ponderosa Pine forest.
(Ride begins and ends at Ride-On
Ranch- to the Control Road fork at Whispering
Pines - quaint cabin village, and back)
South
Ride - 50mi.- 3hrs.
Ride begins at the Hwy. 188 rest stop and
goes to Cholla Bay at Roosevelt Lake and back.
Beautiful
High Desert Scenic Ride.
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| Advanced
Rides:
Alp D' Gisela - 10mi.
Multiple switchbacks up and over with some 12% grade. Short
but testing! Beautiful
High Desert Scenic Ride.
An
out-and-back ride of the Gisela Road beginning and ending
at Hwy. 87- May be done in addition to, or separate from,
the South Ride.
All
rides are just suggestions and can be easily modified
to your preferences. |
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MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES
River
to River Ride
- 30mi. - 3 hrs.
Enjoy a variety of vegetation from Tall Pines to Mesquites.
Loss-elevation ride with 2000 ft. climbing and exhilarating
descents into the Gisela Valley. Ride begins at
East Verde Park and continues "as the crow fly's"
to Tonto Creek, Gisela.
Boulders
Ride-
20mi. - 1-2 hrs.
Fantastic Views of the Dells Rock Formations, Granite
trails- excellent for inclement weather riding. An
Out-and-back with a loop.
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Christopher
Creek |
|
Ken at Ride-On
Ranch Property |
260
Trailhead -
approx. 20mi. - 2-3 hrs.
Begins
North of Christopher Creek and follows highway to
trailhead and back to Christopher Creek.
Lots of single track, Creekbeds, Ferns, Wild Grape
Vines and Ponderosa Pines on this Hiking-Biking
Trail.
Payson
Stampede Course -
10mi. - about 1 hr.
Payson's
Inaugural 2005 24-Hr. Mountain Bike Race Course-
State Event (Payson home team took 1st during 2005
and 2006) Leaves Multi-Event Center in town
and continues to the National Forest - Consists
of quad trails and packed-dirt roads with some single-track.
Mile
High Madness/Grand Prix - 30mi. - 2.5 to
3 hours
The
diversified scenery includes high desert, rock cliffs
and pines.
Begins and ends at Rumsey Park. It is a loop
ride through Doll Baby Ranch Area and up through
East Verde Park with a river crossing.
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| Many
parts of the Mountain Bike Trails are also
beautiful Hiking Settings for those that prefer
it. |
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Customized
Mountain Bike Rides
Ken
Shepherd's Private Reserve -
Mileage and times may Vary. Breath-taking Views
- Customized to your Mountain Biking Tastes. Leaves
directly from Ride-On Ranch and straight into
National Forest. An out-and-back ride with many
single-track opportunities. May include an extremely
testing climb to Monument Peek if desired.
Mayor's
Cup - Payson Pounder - Horse Camp Combo: The
Original Payson Mountain Bike Course for locals,
which became the MBAA Race- Payson Pounder, still
includes part of the Mayor's Cup trails, and also
connects to the Horse Camp trails. The Rides
can be as light or as difficult as you need them
to be. (Begins just north-east of Payson town
limits)
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Monument
Peek |
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| PRICING:
Most
guided rides are $75 for individuals or $50 per person for
groups. Where supply stops and added transportation are
required prices may vary. |
All
rides are just suggestions and can be easily modified
to your preferences. |
Please
bring Mechanically Sound bikes!
Novice
riders- Please be prepared with your own water bottles,
etc. |
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