A whole lotta WIN!

Kenny and I rolled up to Prescott for a cool ride today.  Started from White Spar Campground, and followed the AES miniMonsterCross course backwards up Wolverton Mtn and down to Thumb Butte Rd before high tailing it thru town and back to the car.  The climb and start of the decent ended up in the mist/rain with thunder in the background.  Not a usual AZ ride condition, but quite a relief. I only snapped a few pics at one break spot...

Post ride lunch was found with some tasty sandwiches at Park Plaza Liquor & Deli.  Quite the hidden gem.  While finishing up, I checked up on Twitter and found some negative traffic info.  I-17 had been shutdown just north of Black Canyon City, then one lane (shoulder) open with a 5 mile backup; then 8; then 15; finally 20+ mile backup on the only legitimate route home.  At least without going WAY out of the way.  

But, we are resourceful, explorative, like minded buds...what about dropping down thru Bumble Bee from Mayer via Crown King Rd.  Lotsa washboard dirt road, but the Jetta has done it before.  So a plan was formulating.  The only hitch was the wreck/closure was still a mile or two south of the Crown King Rd exit/onramp; well we've ridden Maggie Mine Rd right into BCC.  A potential victorious plan had been laid out, but could the Jetta loaded with 2 guys and 2 bikes make it.  

Maggie Mine is not a maintained road.  Numerous sections of exposed bedrock, deep ruts washed across the road, loose baby head rocks.  Patience/smoothness/and a calm experienced "professional" offroader behind the wheel were the final keys to the ultimate win.  The undercarriage was scrapped a few times, the bike rack took several hard hits, but we made it unscathed with no loss of road worthiness.  1.5 hours from Prescott Valley to Black Canyon City to avoid a unknown LONG unmoving 20 mile backup.  That is WINNING!  

And I almost took the truck today :doh:

-Ryan