Ripsey beta needed

[eatdrinkride]

Been revisiting Chad's Most Underestimated Rides in AZ thread and I gotta go try Ripsey.

Can anyone point to a thread or link for driving directions to best get there, TH beta, CC vs. CCW etc. I've been searching but not coming up with what I'm looking for.

Looks like a sweet loop!

[owtdorz]

Maybe this will help from Google:
http://www.topofusion.com/azt/gpx/.....oints-rev1.gpx

[Maadjurguer]

Park your car just off the Florence-Kelvin Hwy where the AZT intersects it (there is a big parking area here), South of where it intersects 177. Take the Florence-Kelvin Hwy to the SW just like you would on the the AES Antelope Peak Challenge Route that takes you home (you can find the gpx on the website). Once you get to the AZT, take that back north to do the Ripsey segment which will bring you back to your car.

Once you load the gpx from the AES route in TopoFusion....it'll make sense. Plan on your return route to coincide with descending Ripsey at Sunset.....<-----and that's my best piece of advice....

[Maadjurguer]

Coords for where to park are here: 33.08932° N 110.99046° W

[eatdrinkride]

Awesome info guys...props and thanks goes out to you.

Looking forward to this ride. The ridgeline pics I've seen look great.

Not familiar with the Antelope route....are we talking about road/highway miles to get going?

[Maadjurguer]

the road/hwy is dirt.....and seldom traveled, so no worries

[eatdrinkride]

the road/hwy is dirt.....and seldom traveled, so no worries

How far we talking? A mile? 3 miles?

[freeskier46]

Here's a bit more info from two rides out there:
Ripsey Bikepack Just focus on the top of the lollipop, that's the route Maad referenced, we just happened to start/end on Freeman Rd for a longer ride.

This ride we started down by the Kelvin Gila River crossing, although there should now be an official trailhead just up the hill from the auto bridge on the Florence-Kelvin Hwy.
Ripsey Loop This loop was almost the AES APC course, we altered a bit at the top of the F-K Hwy down towards the AZT, but either way it's all good.

During the Picketpost ride on Sunday we were talking about getting a group ride together for this very reason, get more peeps down to Ripsey!! Have fun out there.

[freeskier46]

How far we talking? A mile? 3 miles?

If you park down by the Kelvin bridge, there's an AZT sign on the near side of the bridge (do not ride back across the bridge)

Kelvin parking area:

From AZSF - Picketpost to Kelvin

Head 'south' on the AZT for about a mile or so, it climbs a bit, but soon crosses the F-K Hwy at the new trailhead.

New trailhead, during construction back in March, F-K Hwy in the background:

From AZT - Boulders/Ripsey/Oracle

From the new TH, stay on the F-K Hwy for a fast screaming descent back towards the river at A Diamond Ranch. The Hwy curves left & begins a 4-ish mile grinding climb, not steep, just steady. At the top you'll ride some more rolling Hwy before finally turning onto a jeep rd. through a gate. Without looking at my GPX track I'm guessing total Hwy mileage to be around 7-8 miles.

Here's the photo album for our loop from April 2011: Ripsey Loop

[eatdrinkride]

Thanks for the directions.

Hmmm. 8 o 9 miles of highway riding in a 14 mile loop? Or are these miles not included in the loop itself? .

[azepicriderandrunner]

Hope you enjoy it...I was just out there two weeks ago.



There is doubletrack miles in some of the highway miles. The other option is up and down from the coordinates posted above. If you are against miles on the Florence-Kelvin Highway (you will get about 1-8 cars passing you the entire time), you could park in Kelvin, and do an out-n-back.

Get ready for some great steep, ST climbing..(see below)




Enjoy the ride!

[freeskier46]

Thanks for the directions.

Hmmm. 8 o 9 miles of highway riding in a 14 mile loop? Or are these miles not included in the loop itself? .

14 mile loop?? The loop I'm referring to is about 35 miles

OR

The upper 'loop only' portion of this ride, 21 miles, but add in the OnB from the Kelvin bridge if you park down there.

[freeskier46]

Double post

[eatdrinkride]

thanks all for the input.

Looks like the weather has mustered my plans for now

Another day...