Question about Route 89A

[CarbideDude]

My son and I will be passing through Arizona on our month long ride in May. We will be looping down and through, Pinetop-Lakeside, Payson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and up to the Grand Canyon.

My question to those of you who know the area, will we be missing a whole lot if we hit 89A in Sedona, then up to Flagstaff; versus circling all the way down to Prescott, then up 89A to Flagstaff? We're trying to stay out of Phoenix and there do not seem to be any good roads from Payson straight to Prescott. I've heard this is one of the most glorious routes in the US. My question in other words is, is 89A South of Sedona pretty much more of the same thing as 89A from Sedona to Prescott?

I've heard this drive is a lot better North to South, but changing that is not an option.

I hopt you guys know what I'm asking. It's not coming out right adn I've had too much to drunk.

[ebiker]

Originally Posted by CarbideDude

My son and I will be passing through Arizona on our month long ride in May. We will be looping down and through, Pinetop-Lakeside, Payson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and up to the Grand Canyon.

My question to those of you who know the area, will we be missing a whole lot if we hit 89A in Sedona, then up to Flagstaff; versus circling all the way down to Prescott, then up 89A to Flagstaff? We're trying to stay out of Phoenix and there do not seem to be any good roads from Payson straight to Prescott. I've heard this is one of the most glorious routes in the US. My question in other words is, is 89A South of Sedona pretty much more of the same thing as 89A from Sedona to Prescott?

I've heard this drive is a lot better North to South, but changing that is not an option.

I hopt you guys know what I'm asking. It's not coming out right adn I've had too much to drunk.

When you decide on exactly where you are riding from and know exactly where you want to go, shoot me a PM. I can lay out a route for you that will steer you around and away from Phoenix. Meanwhile, go to Wallymart or Target and get the 2008 Rand-McNally.

[chunngle]

Check out this site www.cyclerides.com there are some good routes in the day ride section that might give you some good options. Feel free to pm and I will try to help you with some ideas.

[DesertRat]

You can cut across from Payson to Camp Verde. You can then go over I-17 and up to Sedona. You can also go South down I-17 for 10 milles or so and go into Prescott and then North. That way is obviously longer, but it would be a shame to miss Jerome. By the way, I don't know how much ridung you've done out West but be sure to watch your gas. It can be a long way between stations out here.

[moorefun]

When you get to Payson, head north on 87 towards Pine and Strawberry. Then take 260 to Camp Verde. Get on 17 south for a few miles till you get to highway 169. Take it west til you get to highway 69. Head north towards Prescott (Stop and see Steve at GMR). Then take highway 89 to Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and on into Flagstaff.

[doc ock]

Originally Posted by moorefun

When you get to Payson, head north on 87 towards Pine and Strawberry. Then take 260 to Camp Verde. Get on 17 south for a few miles till you get to highway 169. Take it west til you get to highway 69. Head north towards Prescott (Stop and see Steve at GMR). Then take highway 89 to Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and on into Flagstaff.

What he said. If you come this far you might as well see all of 89A.

[chunngle]

Originally Posted by moorefun

When you get to Payson, head north on 87 towards Pine and Strawberry. Then take 260 to Camp Verde. Get on 17 south for a few miles till you get to highway 169. Take it west til you get to highway 69. Head north towards Prescott (Stop and see Steve at GMR). Then take highway 89 to Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and on into Flagstaff.

Originally Posted by doc ock

What he said. If you come this far you might as well see all of 89A.

Or you could go one step farther and when you get to Camp Verde jump on I-17 and head South about 40 miles to Carefree Highway 74. Head West until it stops at highway 60. Head North into Wickenburg on the 60. In Wickenburg turn North onto highway 93 (towards Kingman). About 10 miles out of Wickenburg turn North onto highway 89 (towards Congress) up Yarnell hill and through the Bradshaw Mtns. into Prescott (my choice of stops would be the Bird Cage for refreshments,,,,but thats just me). Then take 89A North as previously stated. Definately not a direct route from Payson to Flagstaff but an outstanding day ride.

[CarbideDude]

THANKS for the input guys. We will re-evaluate our route based on this information.

It's really not like:

Originally Posted by doc ock

What he said. If you come this far you might as well see all of 89A.

...though, because this is just one segment of a 4 week long tour, including Nevada, down California, back up the California coast, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, etc etc etc. The extra piece of 89A will likely cost us an entire day, based on all the other stops and ride segments.

Thanks again.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by CarbideDude

THANKS for the input guys. We will re-evaluate our route based on this information.

It's really not like:



...though, because this is just one segment of a 4 week long tour, including Nevada, down California, back up the California coast, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, etc etc etc. The extra piece of 89A will likely cost us an entire day, based on all the other stops and ride segments.

Thanks again.

If you're pressed for time, going from Payson to Camp Verde and on to Sedona and up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff you will still see some of the nicest country in Arizona.

[CarbideDude]

We currently have the route planned as follows:

87 North out of Payson

260 North on General Geo Cook Trail

But then instead of proceeding on to Camp Verde, we have bearing off to the right (turning North instead of continuing West) on to NF-618, which apparently then turns into 179 after you cross Interstate 17.

Then 179 continuing North into Sedona, then 89A on into Flagstaff.

If it's not too much trouble, I would very much appreciate it if someone familiar with these roads could compare this route with the other option suggested which as I understand it would be to continue on 260 on into Camp Verde, across the Interstate, and on into Cottonwood (or thereabouts) and picking up 89A there.

Basically comparing 179 from Interstate 17 to Sedona, with 89A from Cottonwood to Sedona. After everyone's comments, that looks to be what we could consider changing without incurring too much of a deficit. But if 179 is basically just as good for experiencing the beautiful countryside, then we'll probably leave well enough alone.

Thanks again guys for your comments.

[DesertRat]

Sorry, I can't help with the NF-618 portion. I've been been down 87/260 to Camp Verde several times and I've taken 179 off I-17, but I haven't been down NF-618. The stretch west from Payson to Camp Verde is a good road through nice country. Hopefully someone can tell you, for sure, what the quality of NF-618 is. Someone suggested http://www.cyclerides.com/. Go to that site , click on "video" and then find "Trip to Sedona". That will give you an idea of the country you will be going through, at least all the scenes after Jerome.

[CarbideDude]

Thanks again for your comments DesertRat. I appreciate it.

[detailer57]

CarbideDude

NF 618 is a dirt road. NF= National Forest service road.
Unless you are on a dirt capable vehicle, stay off it.
Great in my Blazer or on my Zuk DR.

Hope that helps.

Mark

[CarbideDude]

Originally Posted by detailer57

CarbideDude

NF 618 is a dirt road. NF= National Forest service road.
Unless you are on a dirt capable vehicle, stay off it.
Great in my Blazer or on my Zuk DR.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Wow. Mark, thanks for letting me know. I'll make the adjustment. Case closed. (at last!)

[PhxCliff]

Post a message and let us know when you're in AZ. I'm sure you will find more than a few of us willing to meet up in Payson for breakfast (Strawberry Lodge is a favorite of mine) and do that scenic ride to Flagstaff with you.