If you ever want a good workout, jump on your bike and ride from the Bumble Bee exit up to Crown King. It might take you half the day on the dirt-covered road, but it will be worth it in the end.
Last May I came up with the brilliant idea to bike up to Crown King. If you've not heard of it, it's an old ghost town with a population of 133, a bar, a chapel, a restaurant, and some cabins and camping sites. It's also nearly 5,800 feet up in elevation.
I've been going to CK for over a decade and since Aaron has never been I thought it would be fun to bike up. We grabbed our crew and a few weeks later took off on this 23.69 mile (3,811 feet) journey. You are probably thinking, "Man, that sounds intense," but it's really doable.
Here are our five tips if you plan to tackle this adventure on a bike.
Start early. We started around 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday. If you start later it will not only be warm, but people with their huge trucks and ATVs will be cruising up the steep winding road at high speeds. The people that passed us were supportive and cheered us on, but I've been on some rides where people are careless.
Have a way out. You really don't know what your body is capable of, or not capable of until you start peddling up the mountain. No matter how athletic you are and how many times you've done this ride, today may not be the day you can get up all the way, and that's ok! Make sure you have someone following you up in a car (thank you Jessica). Jessica helped not only carry all our crap, including tons of water, she was a much needed safety net between us and all the other vehicles coming up behind us.
Set your mind up for success. It's so important to go into this ride with a positive "I'm gonna kick ass today" outlook. At mile 18, I was ready to give up, but since I'm not a quitter, I pushed through and you can too. I felt so accomplished and powerful when I rolled down that last hill right into the bar for a beer and some French fries.
Pace yourself. This isn't a race, unless there is some race in the future up to CK, this is for pleasure and self satisfaction and enjoyment of the people and serenity that is going to surround you. If it takes you 6 hours, 8 hours or 12 hours, it doesn't matter. Take breaks and listen to your body.
Hydrate and fuel up. This is so important! Make sure you drink a ton of water and eat the night before and the entire journey up. This is where having a car following you comes in handy, especially if you are a beginner. Have quick snacks with you like a banana, energy gels (we like Honey Stinger) and protein bars. It's important to refuel every 90 minutes on a ride like this.
If you aren't into biking and just want to explore the town, DO IT! It is one of my favorite places in Arizona. Go in October for the chili cook off, you won't be disappointed! And if you are going to stay somewhere (that's not a tent) i recommend Bear Creek Cabins. The owner is super easy going and if you keep coming back, no matter how many years go by, she'll remember you.
At the end of the day, even though we were all exhausted, Aaron, myself and our crew all made it to the top. The view, the trees, the people and much cooler temperatures were worth it, and the fries, they were worth it too.
Mileage: 23.69 miles
Total ride time: 3.5 hours
Elevation gain: 3,811ft.
Feedback: Smiles for miles!
