My regular ride lately has been from Prescott Valley to the top of Mingus Mtn and back...about a 27 mile up and back. Well today I decided if I was feeling good when I got to the top I was going to descend down to Jerome (7 miles down the other side) which would add another 14 or so miles to my ride but also another 2k of climbing. That's what I ended up doing today. I could see the Jerome side was much steeper so I chilled at Jerome for an hour or so and ate an ice cream cone before I headed back up and over. Overall a good ride. The toughest part was the wind...it was brutal today!

Brother, you're talkin to a local. A lotta folks don't know about the desert wind here. Though they saw the strong winds that burned up half our state with the wild fires.

Anyhow, yeah, I caught hell this morning in the wind, so I know you did. I used to camp on Mingus Mountain. It's beautiful up there. I'd watch people paraglide off the side of that mountain. Those folks are insane. Much respect for your ride this morning. You should sleep well tonight.

hmmmmmmm

cool story?

It's a good climb, but I'm scared ****less riding that road. Mostly because I remember the days my friends and I used to take our cars up there in high school and see how fast we could cruise around those corners. One idiot does that and you're a pancake.

Yeah I hear ya. I ride it early and there's very little traffic. No way any high school pukes are up racing their cars that early. On the other hand I didn't ride till noon today. I was sure I NEVER wanted to ride that road on a weekend during the day, but I couldn't go early today and I still HAD to ride. I'm enjoying the climbing, it's close to home etc etc etc so I decided to stick with my route. Suprisingly there wasn't much traffic today either.

What route do you take from Prescott Valley? I have been wanting to do this route in the reverse order when I am out in Sedona. The last time we drove from Jerome over the top the road on your side was really crappy. Still the case? To those that don't ride in the high desert, always check the weather report to see what the wind speed and direction will be. Deep section wheels can be a real pain.

I ride out from Roberts Market area (approx)... Straight out 89A, up and over. My route yesterday ended up being about 42.5 miles.