looking for a ride in ventura county

[dutch]

Hey all, I'm heading up to my parent's place in thousand oaks today and am planning on heading out for a mountain bike ride tomorrow.

I've heard there's some fun stuff up in simi valley, and I'm sure there's some riding to be had in the santa monica mountains, but I've never done any of it.

The only mountain biking I've done was through wildwood, which totally disappointed with its predominantly hiker oriented trails.

hoping to get a good 3/4 hour ride in, and I'm not particularly scared of descending, so if any of you have suggestions for a fun ride (read lots of singletrack) that isn't too too far from thousand oaks, I'd love to hear it.

also, directions would be appreciated.

[DBD]

Originally Posted by dutch

I'm not particularly scared of descending

But how do you feel about climbing?

Up Chumash, 3 or 4 mi, ride Rockey Peak (another 3.5mi or so)to Hummingbird then drop down Hummingbird (about 4 something miles?)

If you are a slooooow climber as I am and only have 3/4hrs to ride I would say park at the base of Hummingbird, ride Santa Susana (good warm up) up to Rockey Peak then climb Rockey Peak for 0.8mi and head West down Hummingbird back to the car.

There are a lot of routes to be used but those would give you a lot of single track with some fire road.

If you need detailed direction I can get them to you. Also, these trails are on the East side of Simi, about 15 to 20min from T.O.

Originally Posted by dutch

also, directions would be appreciated.

I'll get you some in about 15min, I need to get the kids a nap.

[dutch]

I am definitely fine with climbing, although a little less so since I somehow screwed up the SPV valve on the manitou swinger 3 way on my remedy.

That sounds about like the trail i was thinking of in simi, I know there was a post on it a while back, but I couldn't find it, so some directions would be nice.

Hummingbird is supposed to be a reasonably exciting descent, correct?



oh and p.s. directions from any major road or the 118 will be fine, I know my way around the area reasonably well.

[DBD]

Originally Posted by dutch

I am definitely fine with climbing, although a little less so since I somehow screwed up the SPV valve on the manitou swinger 3 way on my remedy.

That sounds about like the trail i was thinking of in simi, I know there was a post on it a while back, but I couldn't find it, so some directions would be nice.

Hummingbird is supposed to be a reasonably exciting descent, correct?

oh and p.s. directions from any major road or the 118 will be fine, I know my way around the area reasonably well.

Being you do not want a whole lot of climbing I would say do the shorter of the two routes. If you want a longer ride you can loop it a few times or head into Corriganville and ride around in there (know where that is?).

If parking at bottom of Hummingbird;

Exit 118 at Kuehner, turn North and park along the fenced in area on the right side. That is the bottom of Hummingbird

Ride South on Kuehner (back under the 118 about 1.3mi) until it becomes into Santa Susana, Ride to the top (approx. 1.8mi)

Cross over the 118 and you will see the trail head for Rocky Peak. Climb Rocky Peak about 0.8mi, pretty damn steep but it is a short climb. At the top you will see the connector for Hummingbird. It is marked very well so you should not miss it. Head down Hummingbird which I believe is 4.8mi of mostly single/dbl track, down the switch backs (good drop off the side of the switch backs, do not fall), more single track over a flat section. Then you will ride down and over a bunch of slick rock. Can get sketchy here. After that it is pretty easy and you will be back at the car.

You can also exit the 118 at Kuehner and drive to the top where Rocky Peak starts to park, do the same routs but climb Santa Sue at the end. If you do park at the trail head up at RP park on the South side of the freeway or bring a few bucks to pay the fee.

Depending on what time you do this there may be some traffic on Santa Sue so before or after rush hour would be best.

[1080P]

vEry few 45 minute rides around... double it to 90 or 120 mins, and theres plenty of areas to ride.

[DBD]

Hey dutch, got the pm, yeah I misunderstood what you meant by "...a little less ...".

Yeah, Chumash will have a bit of technical climbing as you get closer to the top. Very fun and narrow at spots. Chumash is also best done early if you do decide to go back down it because there are a LOT more hikers later in the day.

As far as climbing back up Hummingbird, definitely make your decision AFTER you descend it.

Enjoy

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dutch

Hey all, I'm heading up to my parent's place in thousand oaks today and am planning on heading out for a mountain bike ride tomorrow.

I've heard there's some fun stuff up in simi valley, and I'm sure there's some riding to be had in the santa monica mountains, but I've never done any of it.

The only mountain biking I've done was through wildwood, which totally disappointed with its predominantly hiker oriented trails.

hoping to get a good 3/4 hour ride in, and I'm not particularly scared of descending, so if any of you have suggestions for a fun ride (read lots of singletrack) that isn't too too far from thousand oaks, I'd love to hear it.

also, directions would be appreciated.

Missed seeing this yesterday. (too late to comment?)

Why the time limit? Driving to Chumash can use up all your time (depending on traffic).

Much closer is Cheeseboro in Agoura which can satisfy your need for "non-hiker" trails. Hard to understand the meaning of that anyway - is sweet singletrack too tame? You must have missed the wilder parts of Wildwood.

[jeffj]

FWIW, I haven't cared much for Wildwood when I've tried it either. Filled with stroller joggers, just a bunch of crowded short interconnected uninteresting trails for the most part. I know a lot of people like it, just not me when there are so many other options around.

Which leads me to my suggestion:

Los Robles: Park at Stagecoach Park. Ride up the Rosewood trail. Turn left onto the Los Robles trail and head east to the Space Mountain descent. When you get to the bottom of Space Mountain, turn right and head over the the Nature Center Loop and do it counterclockwise. Head back toward the bottom of Space Mountain, but instead of turning left to climb back up SM, continue on straight unril the trail ends at a street. Continue on the street in the same direction until it t-bones another street. Make a quick left to a short 100ft. climb and then turn right until you hit Ventu Park. Another right takes you to Lynn Rd. and Stagecoach Park.

On this map:

http://www.venturacountytrails.org/T...AreaTrails.htm

It would be start at T2, climb up ti 1, take 1 all the way oer to 4, the 5 and head back on 1 to 3 and back to your car.

Here is a RR from there about a month ago:

Friday Morning Mystery Trail

PM me if you want clarification.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by jeffj

FWIW, I haven't cared much for Wildwood when I've tried it either. Filled with stroller joggers, just a bunch of crowded short interconnected uninteresting trails for the most part. I know a lot of people like it, just not me when there are so many other options around.

Which leads me to my suggestion:

Los Robles: Park at Stagecoach Park. Ride up the Rosewood trail. Turn left onto the Los Robles trail and head east to the Space Mountain descent. When you get to the bottom of Space Mountain, turn right and head over the the Nature Center Loop and do it counterclockwise. Head back toward the bottom of Space Mountain, but instead of turning left to climb back up SM, continue on straight unril the trail ends at a street. Continue on the street in the same direction until it t-bones another street. Make a quick left to a short 100ft. climb and then turn right until you hit Ventu Park. Another right takes you to Lynn Rd. and Stagecoach Park.

On this map:

http://www.venturacountytrails.org/T...AreaTrails.htm

It would be start at T2, climb up ti 1, take 1 all the way oer to 4, the 5 and head back on 1 to 3 and back to your car.

Here is a RR from there about a month ago:

Friday Morning Mystery Trail

PM me if you want clarification.

Wildwood has hiking trails. And more. A popular loop is from Cal Lutheran - ride singletrack on volcanic outcroppings and then drop in to Wildwood on some switchbacks. (pic-1)

A peek into the canyon. (pic-2)

[dutch]

thought about doing the wildwood ride from CLU as that's riding distance from my parent's house.

ended up parking at the bottom of hummingbird, riding over to chumash, up that, over rocky peak to hummingbird, and then descending and back to the car.

decided i was too hungry to do chumash up and back so i finished, had a freakin' blast and you can look for my ride report real soon.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'll probably hit up some other rides next time I head up there again.