DESTINATION Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trails 1 Photoset
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| Mtn Biking | 9.09 Miles |
1,038 AEG |
| | Mtn Biking | 9.09 Miles | 2 Hrs 42 Mns | | 3.37 mph |
| 1,038 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Paul and I planned to  the beginner trails Green Bean, Mr. Bean, Rice and Beans, and Beany Baby, at Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trails -- a new system at White Spar, just south of Prescott.
Being new, the trails were in fantastic shape. At 5,800 el. some of the climbs were a bit more than this flatlander could handle. (140 ft./mi. is my planning limit.) All the trail intersections have map boards. Trails radiating from an intersection are marked with a carbonite post indicating either “Do not enter” in red, or the trail’s name, number, and what mode of transport is allowed on it. (MTB or pedestrian — no horses.)
We briefly considered taking a crack at intermediate Limey Bean, but decided better of it. (Limey Bean? Why not Lima Bean? Probably because everybody hates lima beans!) 
Paul dropped down Beany Baby first, but I soon passed him because unicycles are constant peddling — no “neutral” — and, with only one tire, have a smaller contact patch. With no ups, Beany Baby drops 175 ft. in only 0.53 miles. I rode a bypass around the one rocky jump. I for sure used my brakes, but I never dabbed. Fast & fun! 
Rather than do another loop, we headed out on FR 67 -- which ended up being the opposite of the flat I expected. Walking ensued. At the top, we turned left an a rando trail then, 0.4 miles later, left again onto Trail #396.
Trail #396 is narrow, very twisty, and slighty off-camber. It climbs for a half mile, but then descends 360 ft. in 1.5 miles to Bannon Creek. I just want to get some exercise and enjoy the scenery, not crash. Which I did, twice, harmlessly. (Trailside duff is like oil on a race track.) I walked most of Trail #396. Pushing a 30 lb. bike is still exercise!
At the the climb from Bannon Creek, we turned left onto Trail #61. It was all downhill from there. Literally.
Trail #61 descends quick & straight. I let Prescottstyle get well ahead of me, so I would have plenty of runoff, then let it rip. I have no idea how fast I was going, but all of a sudden there were double 6″ inch ruts across the trail. The first one got me squirelly — and I thought I might be able to recover — but the second rut put me down. Hard. Really hard.
I wasn’t knocked out, but I lay there for 15-20 seconds getting my wits about me. I got up and assessed the damage: boogered right knee & shin, gash on right elbow, road rash on right shoulder blade, ribs sore on both sides, jammed shoulder in pain, bruise on right temple (good thing for helmets!), various gravel divots. I must have landed shoulder first, then head. 
Paul was long gone. I limped the 0.8 miles back to the White Spar.
I thought I might have to go to the hospital, but I've been getting better every day, with less pain & more range of motion in the shoulder. Close one! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Spreading fleabane, slender goldenweed and lupine. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
the beginner trails Green Bean, Mr. Bean, Rice and Beans, and Beany Baby, at Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trails -- a new system at White Spar, just south of Prescott. 
