What mylife and I know but noone else is saying...
Jerome is on the NE flank of Mingus Mountain and Prescott lies across the valley from the SW flank. The drive that mylife is saying is a real 'treat' includes going up, over, and back down the mountain!!
You can do the same by driving down through Jerome, crossing the Verde River valley, then up into Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon to top out on the Coconino plateau on which sits Flagstaff.
And as beautiful as that drive is, it's a piker compared to the Salt River Canyon or Hannagan's Meadow.
Ahhh...but my true love for riding in those parts is offroad....
Well, in about 18 years or so when all our kids are grown and we are finally getting to ride all over, I will be asking you guys for the best routes! :o)