Arizona Road Bike Ride
Skull Valley Loop Ride
Prescott, Arizona

Ride Synopsis:

Description:

This loop ride is an oldie but a goodie for me. Years back, in a previous life as a bike racer, we did this loop a number of times, both as preparation for, and participating in, the Skull Valley Road Race. I have to admit, it doesn't feel quite as doable these days if I don't have a bunch of miles under my tires, but it's a great training ride any way you slice it. I've always done the ride in a clockwise direction, and the description is for that version of the ride, but you can obviously do it either way.

Begin by driving into downtown Prescott. Park on S. Montezuma Street, on the west side of the courthouse building. If you're launching in the morning, parking shouldn't be an issue. Load up and head south on Montezuma Street, which turns into White Spar Road (all of which is Highway 89). From town, you climb nearly a thousand feet up before you get a chance to taste your first nice downhill run at over 6000 feet. As you descend thru Wilhoit to Kirkland Junction, there are some good fast descents as well as a couple of climbs. At some point, you get on the descent, and cruise all the way down into the valley below. Watch out for the sign to Kirkland as you want to make a right turn and head easterly over to reach Iron Springs Road, which will take you back into Prescott. Not surprisingly, most of this is climbing, at least until you crown the hill near Iron Springs, at which point you can tuck and scream back into town at over 40 miles an hour. Truly a ride that has it all!