Southwest - Advice please re rides near Payson / the Rim

The heat is here in Metro Phoenix and my cycling is now limited to the mornings. I am looking for good riding routes near Payson and the Rim. Shoulder is a plus. Any recommendations?

Thanks

RFC

What are your expectations? You only got two paved roads 260 and 87.
87 seems to have less people IE they use I17 to go north instead of 87 or 260 to go east. Some traffic uses 87 to get to the I7.

I would bring a MTB and ride the Forrest roads. Control road is very nice. Off 87.

So have you been riding up there or what?

I am headed on 260 and should have a ride report.

You'll be climbing all the way to the Rim. Few pretty long, steep hills.

As I recall, 87 has an excellent shoulder most of the way, and 260 a narrow one.

Wow, I was just thinking "are there any good rides near Payson," so I decided to check the regional forum. Talk about a coincidence! I've never ridden near Payson, but I rode the Iron Springs Rd. loop (in Prescott) last year and I'd highly recommend it. Not sure what the weather is like in Prescott this time of year though. . .

I live in Phoenix also. I drove up to Flagstaff last Saturday, the weather was really nice, I think the high was around 90, but it was much nicer in the morning.

I took the Lake Mary Road exit off I-17 and drove to the Coconino Forest sign (there is some road construction so just drive a few miles till you are past it). I just parked on the side of the road next to the other 20 or so cars that were there.

There is a nice wide shoulder and the pavement is pretty good. I just followed Lake Mary Road and then looped around Mormon Lake and back to the car.

The scenery is a welcome change from summertime Phoenix (saw a huge herd of Elk and lots of other bikers). There are a few hills but the return trip seems to be more downhill than up.

Good Luck and stay cool!

Wow, I was just thinking "are there any good rides near Payson," so I decided to check the regional forum. Talk about a coincidence! I've never ridden near Payson, but I rode the Iron Springs Rd. loop (in Prescott) last year and I'd highly recommend it. Not sure what the weather is like in Prescott this time of year though. . .
I was holding off till someone replied. Hopefully the OP.

Any rate. No there are no good rides unless you Mountain bike.

260 has some shoulder, but you have about 10 miles of no shoulder and blind hills and curves. Keep in mind pickups and RVs are the norm on weekends. I found it not the best, but a great training route for climbs.

87 has shoulder up to Payson but is missing 10 miles going to Phoenix. Again scary stuff. I got pulled over after someone called the cops on me.

North of Payson no shoulder on 87, but I found traffic much lighter than 260 and more reasonable.


Keep in mind it was a weekend on both rides.
Prescott is fine but you need to get there first. From Phoenix there is no easy way to do that.

Have ridden the roads in the Flag/Payson area on our tandem.
Hills? Yes.
Traffic? Yes, on weekends.
Cooler than Phx? Definitely!

...87 has shoulder up to Payson but is missing 10 miles going to Phoenix. Again scary stuff. I got pulled over after someone called the cops on me.
Pulled over? What for?


North of Payson no shoulder on 87, but I found traffic much lighter than 260 and more reasonable.
Did you make it as far as Lakeview/Pinetop? Is the Lakeside Lodge still there? My granddad used to own the place back in the 80s. :)

I eventually came from Eager AZ into Pinetop nice town. Great view of the Rim.

I have no idea about the lodge I would guess yes from memory is right.

I got pulled over and he asked to escort me up past the part with out shoulder.
Not really a reason.