- Old Agoura Holiday Ride -

A new ride is happening on America's "Memorial Federal Holiday" on Monday, May 27th. The new ride is the "Old Agoura 40 Miler" which begins from Moorpark's Tierra Rejada Park departing at 8:29am sharp. This is a very scenic but challenging route thru the hills of Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura. Plans are to stop for a refueling break in Oak Park. Come join the fun on a spring holiday. You can print out a route slip by clicking on "Old Agoura Route Slip."

- Big Sky Ride to Lost Canyons Golf Course-

Wow, we were so lucky to have such beautiful weather (clear and cool) for our monthly "Big Sky 31 Miler" to the Oaktree Café at the Lost Canyons Golf Course in North Simi Valley. Over 16 riders showed up to ride the very nice urban course to refuel at the beautiful setting overlooking the greens at the golf course. Come join us for some fun riding in Eastern Ventura County on every Saturday from Moorpark and the second and forth Sundays from Camarillo. And remember, bring a friend!

- April 20th Nosh Club Activity -



Food, beverages and biking, what better way to spend a Saturday. On Saturday, April 20th the Moorpark Bike Riders and Channel Island Bike Club will be joining forces to participate in a "Nosh Activity." Basically defined means to "eat food enthusiastically." I think we can do that. So, Lee and Janice Marker have offered to host this fun activity at their house in Santa Paula. Sooooo, the plan is to ride from Moorpark to their house in Santa Paula, eat and socialize before heading back to Moorpark by either bike or car. So set this date of Saturday, April 20th aside for a great time. The route and departure time will be posted as we near the activity.
Route Map and Route Slip from Moorpark to Santa Paula and back,

- Rides Switches for April 13 & 14 -

Please note that both rides normally scheduled for the second week of the month have now CHANGED DAYS for this week only! The ride down the coast to Malibu is now SATURDAY from a different ride location at Freedom Park at the Camarillo Airport on Skyways Drive leaving at 8:29am to Trancas' Beach Starbucks for a 47 miler.  This is going to be a joint club ride with the Channel Islands Bike Club, Conejo Valley Cyclists and Moorpark Bike Riders with lunch possible at the Waypoint Café at the Camarillo Airport.  This means the "Wood Ranch 21 Miler" is now on SUNDAY from the usual location at Tierra Rejada Park in Moorpark, also leaving at 8:29am. Hope to see you and a friend this weekend on one or both rides.

- 3rd Annual Solvang Spring Fling -

We are so lucky to live in Southern California and especially Ventura County. Why, because we can bike all year long and enjoy the countryside like as we did on the "3rd Annual Solvang Spring Fling" biking weekend. This past April 5-7th about 17 riders participated in the fun activity of biking, eating, wine tasting and socializing in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. If you have never participated in the April "Spring Fling" or the October " Lure of the Grapes" you have been missing a very fun free biking weekend. To view some of the photos of this weekend, just click on "Solvang Spring Fling Photos" and then click on the slideshow to better view the fun pics. More photos will be added, so check back daily.  The next "Spring Fling" is set for April 11th, 2014, hope to see you then.

- 3rd Annual Solvang Spring Fling -

The 3rd Annual Solvang Spring Fling is coming up in the first weekend of April from the 5th thru the 7th. Join the group for beautiful rides thru the rolling green hills of Solvang, Santa Ynez and Buellton. Planned activities may include having dinner and breakfast together as well as some beer or wine tasting. Head over to the "Solvang Spring Fling Webpage" to view the specifics, biking route slips, route maps etc. You must email Mike Stewart at mdstew48@gmail.com  to confirm your participation. See you soon.

- Springtime ride in Eastern Ventura County -

Yes, while other states suffer in the continuing off and on again winter snow and cold temps, Eastern Ventura County gets to bask in sunny delight. Ah, how we have such a rough time in Southern California. Sixteen riders we smart enough to take advantage of the beautiful weather on the scheduled "Wildwood 28 Miler" from Moorpark into Thousand Oaks with a refueling break at the Coffee Bean in the Oakbrook Plaza. Hope to see you and your friend on a bike ride soon. Thanks to Big Dave for leading the two weekend rides and Tom P. for taking and sharing this photo of the mighty group.

- Biking in the Inland Empire -

Thoughts of biking in California do not usually include the Inland Empire, especially Riverside County. However, there are great times of the year that it can be very fun, especially in the late fall, winter and early spring times. Mike and Nancy were off to the "IE" for a mini-vacation and to visit family and friends in the first week in March. Temps were in the low 70's, clear skies, green hills and lots of fellow bicyclists and hot air balloons. They were lucky to ride in the wine country of beautiful Temecula and the countryside of Hemet one weekend. One morning proved to be a pleasant surprise as ten hot air balloons popped up on a local hill near their campground at the start of the ride. The balloons added a fun element to a fast and scenic bike ride towards Hemet and near Diamond Lake. Try biking the IE once, but not in the summer please, too hot.

- Go Climb a Mountain Today -

You know how we all love climbing mountains. So to ease your pain here is a short list of the popular mountain (hill) heights that we tend to climb on a regular basis. The results may be a little surprising.

Rose Valley ............ 3510 feet high

Little Sycamore ...... 2300 feet high

Rock Store .............. 1700 feet high

Dennison Grade ...... 1570 feet high

Lost Canyon ............ 1430 feet high

Kanan Road ............. 1385 feet high
Westlake Blvd ...........1275 feet high

Sunset Hill ............... 1210 feet high

Casitas Pass .............. 1153 feet high

Horse Hill ................. 1078 feet high

It all depends where you begin your ride also. From Ventura, elevation 10 feet, the hills may seen higher than lets say Moorpark, elevation 500 feet. So go climb a mountain today, all fun.

-Presidents Day Heritage Valley Ride-

 

Federal Holidays are really nice. Especially when you get to ride with wonderful friends in a scenic area. On Presidents Day, 16 lucky bikers got to ride in the "Heritage Valley 39 Miler" from Elkins Ranch Golf Course thru Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula. We had a very nice tailwind that pushed us all the way from Piru into Santa Paula for brunch at the very good Rabalis Bakery. After a filling our faces with quiche and pastries we managed to ride a tailwind back to Fillmore on South Mountain Road. Come join us next time on a great ride in Eastern Ventura County.