Bartlett Lake 200k

Bartlett Lake 200k

These are very scenic routes which first venture into the Tonto National Forest in the far North Valley. There’s plenty of climbing, but it’s worth it for the views you’ll get. Your first destination is the End of Pavement (EOP) on Cave Creek Rd. After your U-turn, you’ll stop at the Sear-Kay Ruins (pictured below), where breakfast will await you. This will be a good place for a fuel stop for the 200k riders since some major climbs are upcoming. 100k riders will enjoy mostly descending back to the finish from here!

The out-and-back to Bartlett Lake (200k) is pretty “lumpy.” There’s about 1000′ of climbing while descending to the lake, and at least twice that much climbing back out. Once at the lake, your Control is at the brand new Grille and Store there. You’re right at the marina, so it makes for a great photo op. After climbing back out from the lake, you’ll enjoy a lot of descending and will, again, be on the same route as the 100k riders.

You’ll make your way across far North Phoenix where the routes will split again. The 100k riders will take a flat route across the bicycle highway of Sonoran Desert Pkwy. The 200k riders will visit the tiny community of New River. There’s a nudist’s colony there, so don’t venture too far off route. You may not be able to un-see that! There’s a plateau in New River following by a fun and mild 10 mile descent. You’ll pass by one of the other reservoirs in the Valley of the Sun – Lake Pleasant.

This route has abundant climbing for an early season ride. The descents do pay you back, though.

Bartlett Dam as viewed from above.