The Route
The 35-mile ride from Payson to West Mountain starts at the Peteetneet School Museum, an old school building built in 1901, that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The parking lot has some big trees for shade, and the folks that run the museum are friendly and welcoming and may let you fill water bottles here. Located on the corner of 100 North (Highway 198) and 600 East, this is also a great launching point for a ride up Mount Nebo, since 600 East turns into the Nebo Loop Road, but save that for another day.
For this ride, head west on 100 North from Peteetneet. When you get to Main Street, head south for one block, then west again onto Utah Avenue. Follow this due west until you cross over I-15. After you cross some railroad tracks, the road will bend to the southwest, then continue west on 10400 South. It’s at the next 4-way intersection that the counter-clockwise loop around the mountain begins.
Head north on Highway 147, or 5600 West. Continue north on 5600 West towards the lake, even though Highway 147 heads back to the east. This is a tricky little part of the ride with a few jogs in the route, so pay attention to where you are going. Stay on 5600 West until a 90-degree, left-hand turn onto 7200 South, then another 90-degree, right-hand turn takes you to 6000 West.
After a 90-degree bend to the west at 6400 South, you will find your way to Lincoln Beach Road. This is the most scenic part of the ride — you have the shoreline of Utah Lake to your right, and West Mountain to your left. Of note, Lincoln Beach Road turns into Lake Road. Follow Main Street due north to Genola, where you will go east on Center Street, and north on State Street. State Street turns into Highway 141 through the Goshen Gap. Follow this north until you finish the loop at the intersection of 10400 South.
Cyclists who are looking for more mileage can always start this ride from points a little farther north, like Spanish Fork, or Springville, by heading to the far south end of Utah Lake and jumping on Lincoln Beach Road.
The benefit to including Springville in the ride — probably at the end — might just be a stop at Strap Tank Brewery.
