‘Zane Grey Country’ some folk call it but most recently the area around Payson, Arizona is referred to as ‘the Rim Country’.  The Payson area was a favorite of the early western fiction writer Zane Grey as he owned a cabin near the Mongollon Rim. Located just south of the Mongollon Rim Payson was once known as Green Valley or Union Park.  The town is named in honor of Senator Payson who at the time was chairman of the congressional Post Office and Post Road Committee of the Unitited Sates Congress.  The Mongollon Rim, pronounced MUG-EE-OWN, which is the southern edge of the great Colorado Plateau, recieves its name in honor of a early spanish governor of New Mexico.  Ten miles north of Payson on the way to Pine one can visit the largest known travertine natural bridge in the world.  Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is one stop along Hwy 87 that you should take the time to visit.  The road is paved all the way to the park. Make sure to stop in the small communities of Pine and Strawberry for a break.  There are plenty of places to grab a bite in these small mountain communities.  Some say that to enjoy the beauty of the area one should visit the lakes and hike the trails of the area.  I say to enjoy the area just stay on bike and ride.  Get out your map and count the ways you can head out from Payson.  Head up towards Winslow through breathtaking forested mountains. Up over the Mogollon Rim towards Eber and Show Low.  Through the communities of Pine and Strawberry over to the Verde Valley.  Head down the Bee-Line Hwy (Hwy 87) south towards Phoenix.  Take Hwy 188 through Pumpkin Center to Roosevelt Lake.  If you have a whole day to ride out of Payson head northeast on Hwy 260 to Heber. Just past Heber head north on Hwy 277 to Hwy 377.  Hwy 377 will take you north to Holbrook.  Catch the I-40 west about 30 miles to Winslow and then go south on Hwy 87 back to Payson.  There is no better ride to experience the beauty of the Mogollon Rim.  No matter what direction you take out of Payson it will be the right one.  And even if you don’t get to where you are going you will definitely have a nice ride!  No doubt about it!  Check out the links to the right and the annual events below. Ride Safe!   Reggae Rider