885 St. Charles Dr. #11, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805 373-8824 e-mail: mtbikesman@aol.com
web site: http://www.nrmbc.org/

October 2006

Summary

The Fine Print

By riding with the North Ranch Mountain Bikers I understand and accept the following:

► I understand that mountain biking can be dangerous and accidents can result in either injury or death.

► I understand there is no charge for the bike rides.

► I understand that the trails the North Ranch Mountain Bikers ride may not be verified for safety or ridability.

► I understand that it is my responsibility to determine if my riding skills match the difficulty of the trail we are riding on.

► I understand that the ride leaders accept no responsibility for my safety on any ride and that I undertake any ride knowing that I and I alone am responsible for my safety on the ride.

NEWS FOR EVERYONE

Saturday, October 14: CORBA Fat Tire Fest.   Join us for CORBA's biggest fundraising event (not to mention CORBA's biggest PARTY) of the year!
- Place: Malibu Creek State Park
- Poker Ride Check-In: 8:00AM - 10:30AM
- Poker Ride (Helmets Required!): 8:00AM - Noon
- BBQ Lunch: 11:30AM - 1:30PM
- Raffle: 1:00PM
Cost is $25 for CORBA members and $30 for non-members. Pre-register and receive 10 raffle tickets. Go to http://www.corbamtb.com/website/html-home/CORBASFatTireFest.html for more information and to register.
CORBA is also looking for volunteers to work this event. If you are interested in helping out please contact Tamara.
 Time: 8:00 am.

Due to State cutbacks, parking cannot be free this year. The daily parking fee for the State Park is $8. Please try to carpool to the event. There is also parking off-site at the corner of Mulholland and Las Virgenes Rd, as well as at De Anza Park in Calabasas at the corner of Lost Hills Rd and Las Virgenes Rd. You can ride the Grasslands Trail into the park from either location.

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Las Virgenes Road exit in Calabasas. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. The park entrance is on the West Side of the road just south of Mulholland. There is a fee for parking inside the park. Otherwise you can park in the dirt area on the corner of Las Virgenes and Mulholland. Start in the last parking lot by the restrooms inside the park.

Friday, October 20-22: Kernville Fat Tire Festival.   Every year the NRMB has a strong contingent of riders going to the KFTF. This year should prove no different. Mountain Bike Magazine rates the KFTF as one of the top 5 festivals in the western states. This great 3 day weekend includes 3 awesome rides, a pizza party, bike rodeo, a rock’n Halloween costume party Saturday evening and a Sunday morning breakfast complete with raffle. Cost is $110.25 before Oct 5, but it will be hard to find a place to stay at that point. If you need a sign-up sheet go to http://www.mtnriver.com/fattire.htm and download a pdf file with the sign-up form. Most of the high intermediate to advanced riders will be doing the following rides:
     Friday – Alta Sierra (Ride #2A; E4 - T3)
     Saturday – Kern Canyon (Ride #3; E5 - T3)
     Sunday – Cannell (Ride #4; E5 - T4.5)

Saturday, October 21: Annual COSCA Trail Work Day.   This annual event draws a large crowd and as always helps to put some very sweet trails back into good shape. Be sure to stay afterwards for the free barbeque and raffle. Meet at the Conejo Community Center in Thousand Oaks (Botanical Garden Entrance off Gainsborough Road). Registration and board busses: 7:30-8:00 a.m. Time: 7:30 am.

Last year, North Ranchers split between finishing off the rerouted Triunfo Canyon single track and cleaning up the lower section of Rosewood single track. You can find more info at http://www.crpd.org/index.cfm?go2=calendar&daterequest=10/15/2006

WEEKEND RIDES

Sunday, October 1: Cheeseboro/China Flats Loop.   We start up the main fire road and continue up the Sulphur Springs trail to Shepherd’s Flat. Then we take the connector trail, west, to the spot that overlooks Palo Comado Canyon. We go up Palo Comado until we come to the top of China Flats. The loop around the top of China Flats is both beautiful and easy. Then we retrace our tracks and enjoy some fun downhill all the way back to the cars.
 Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.0, Technical Rating = T3.0, 15 Miles and 1800 Feet of Climbing, About 3 Hours, Ride Leader: Bob

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Chesebro exit in Agoura. Head north and make a right on Chesebro Road. Follow the narrow road one-mile and turn right at the park entrance. Continue up the paved road 1/4 mile to the top parking lot.

Saturday, October 7: Reseda/Sullivan Canyon - Out & Back.   From the South end of Reseda we will ride up to Dirt Mulholland and continue on with a moderate climb over to Sullivan Ridge. After a short descent down the Sullivan fireroad we’ll cut-off onto the fun and moderately technical Sullivan Canyon singletrack and ride down to the gate at the bottom. From here, we will retrace our tracks back to the cars. There is an option at end of the ride to ride down the more challenging Caballero singletrack instead of fireorad. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.5, Technical Rating = T3.5, 15 Miles, About 3.5 Hours, Ride Leader: Wendy

Directions:   Take the 101 Fwy to the Reseda Blvd exit in Tarzana. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south (towards the ocean). Continue up Reseda; pass the Caballero trail, up through/past the opening in the fence up to the paid parking area. Park just before the "white line" as the paid parking starts just beyond that white line.

Sunday, October 8: Cheeseboro/Simi Peak/Dead Cow Rd & Lunch.   This is the only ride where we eat lunch on the ride and then try to finish after you are stuffed and tired. We start at Cheesebro, head up to Palo Comado Road and then up to China Flats. Then comes the hardest climb around. But even if you have to push every inch it is worth the climb. You can see for miles in every direction. Then we descend down and continue further down on Dead Cow Road (Don’t you just love these names?) We have lunch at El Pollo Loco and then head over to the old Jordan Ranch, climb back to the connector trail and descend back down Cheesebro. Bring money for lunch. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T4.5, About 3.5 Hours, Ride Leader: Randy

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Chesebro exit in Agoura. Head north and make a right on Chesebro Road. Follow the narrow road one-mile and turn right at the park entrance. Continue up the paved road 1/4 mile to the top parking lot.

Sunday, October 15: Zuma Ridge from the Top.   On a clear day, this trail has spectacular views of the coastline of Malibu. We'll start up Zuma Ridge Motorway from Encinal Canyon Rd, climbing to Buzzard's Roost at the top, then gliding all the way down to the bottom, 4.2 miles from the top. Then we turn around and ride back. This is 100% fireroad but it has some rocky, rutted and sandy sections, particularly near the top towards Malibu. As an option at the end of the ride, some people will want to ride the Backbone singletrack east to Kanan and back. This option adds 5 miles and 1400 feet of climbing that is not included in the listed endurance rating. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T3, 11 Miles and 3500 Feet of Climbing, About 3 Hours, Ride Leader: Steve

This ride has lots of climbing (and descending!) and great views, just the thing to get us ready for Kernville next week!

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Kanan exit in Agoura Hills. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. Take Kanan for several miles until you reach Mulholland Hwy. At Mulholland make a right (west) and proceed to Encinal Canyon Road. Stay on Encinal. Just after you pass the water treatment plant on the left you’ll see the fireroad (also on your left) where the trail begins. Pass the fireroad and round the corner. Park in the dirt area just off the road.

Saturday, October 21: Space Mountain / Potrero & back.   We start with a moderate climb up the Space Mountain singletrack. At the top we’ll continue across the Los Robles Singletrack until we get to the picnic table. After our break it’s on to Potrero Road with lots of up & down single track. Then we turn around
& retrace our steps back towards the picnic table, back along the Los Robles Singletrack, down Space Mountain, & through the Whoop De Doo Trail that leads back to the parking area.
 Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4.0, Technical Rating = T3.5, 15 Miles and 3000 Feet of Climbing, About 3.5 Hours, Ride Leader: Bob

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Moorpark Road exit in Thousand Oaks. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. Take Moorpark till it dead-ends at Greenmeadow Avenue and park in the dirt lot on the right.

Sunday, October 22: Sycamore: Modified Guadalasca - Backbone Loop.   We start off on the connector trail that leads to Big Sycamore Canyon Road. We’ll descend down into the canyon and cutoff onto Sin Nombre and continue down to the end of Two Foxes. From here we'll head up Wood Canyon and climb up Guadalasca to the top of the mountain. Then it's a fast fireroad descent over to Backbone where we'll enjoy more descending on a really fun singletrack. After a short ride back up Two Foxes we’ll continue riding up the main fireroad and climb the dreaded asphalt hill. From the top it’s just a short ride back to the cars via the connector trail. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.5, Technical Rating = T3.5, 19 Miles and 2900 Feet of Climbing, About 3.5 Hours, Ride Leader: Wendy

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Wendy exit in Newbury Park. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south on Wendy until it dead-ends at Potrero Road. Park in the adjacent dirt parking area.

Saturday, October 28: Strawberry Peak Loop.   The ride starts with a 3 mile fireroad climb up Josephine Road. At the top of the fireroad we’ll ride around Strawberry Peak on a newly rebuilt singletrack that clings to the mountainside. The trail has a lot of exposure, although not too technical, some may want to walk extended sections. After 2 miles of contouring, there is a fun, swooping descent before the trail climbs another 2 miles up a switchback singletrack. Then it’s time to hang on for the descent of your life; with lots of exposure, the singletrack curves in and out with views of the highway way, way below you. Eventually the trail heads away from the cliffs and you can let go of the brakes and enjoy some whoop-de-doo jumps down to the road. The last 5 miles follows the upper section of the Gabrielino Trail where exposure is no longer a factor. This section has lots of fun corners and rocky sections to enjoy before ending at Switzer’s campground. Lastly, there is a steep one mile road climb back to the cars. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T5, 14 Miles and 3000 Feet of Climbing, About 4 Hours, Ride Leader: Tamara

Directions:   From the intersection of I-210 and CA2 in La Canada, take CA2 (Angeles Crest Highway) north into Angeles National Forest. After 9 miles of twisting roads, you'll reach the intersection with Angeles Forest Highway. The parking lot for Switzer is on the right. Park here. Note: A National Forrest Adventure Pass is required to park here.

Saturday, October 28: Sycamore from the Beach & Wood Canyon.   We’ll begin at the parking lot and ride up the Big Sycamore Trail to Two Foxes and back to the main fireroad. Then we ride up the paved Ranch Center Road and Art’s Trail. And it’s back to the paved road and we’ll see the water tower. The best part of this ride is blasting down Wood Canyon and then back to the main fireroad and on to the parking lot. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2, Technical Rating = T2, 14 Miles and 1200 Feet of Climbing, About 2.5 Hours, Ride Leader: Marizel

Directions:   For those who are coming from the San Fernando/ Los Angeles area: Take the 101 Fwy towards Ventura and exit on Kanan Road (make a left turn from the exit ramp).
Then make a right turn on PCH 1 and head towards Sycamore Canyon (it is 5-7 miles northwest of Kanan Road and is on the right side).

For those who are coming from the Santa Barbara/ Ventura/ Oxnard/ Camarillo area: Take the 101S Fwy (101N for those who are coming from Thousand Oaks/ Simi Valley) and exit on S Las Posas Road (going towards PCH). Then go to PCH 1 South and look for signs to go to Sycamore Canyon (which is on the left side).

If you don’t want to pay the $10 fee for parking in the lot you can look for parking on PCH. We'll meet on the park side of Pacific Coast Hwy 1 for the ride (in front of the restrooms, located by the campground/ parking lot area).

Sunday, October 29: Chumash/Hummingbird.   We will make a moderate to difficult climb up a fairly technical singletrack, a.k.a. Chumash. When we reach the fireroad at the top we will descend the Rocky Peak fireroad a few miles till we meet up with Hummingbird. The descent down this singletrack is lots of fun but can be rather technical and steep in some sections. We make our way back to the cars on mostly fireroads. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T4.5, 13 Miles, About 3 Hours, Ride Leader: Randy

Directions:   Take the 118 Freeway to the Yosemite Avenue exit in Simi Valley. At the end of the off-ramp proceed north to Flanagan and make a right. Park on the side of the road at the end of Flanagan.

NIGHT RIDES

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Nights.   See Summary Section of the Newsletter for meeting times, ride times are 15 minutes later. The lengths of all rides are between 10 & 15 miles with ride times of 1.5 - 2.5 hours. Lights are needed for the months of September to May. During the summer months they may not be needed, but it's a good idea to bring them just in case there's a delay. The specific routes taken for the night rides will be determined at the trailhead.

Meeting Locations for Evening Rides:

Backbone from Kanan at Night.   Meeting place: Take the 101 Freeway to the Kanan exit in Agoura Hills. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. Take Kanan for several miles until you reach the third tunnel. Park in the paved parking area just before the tunnel.

Cheeseboro at night.   Meeting place: The lower, paved parking lot (the gate to the upper lot is closed and locked at sunset). If Cheeseboro is still closed at night because of the fire last year, a new ride location will be announced on the egroup.

Grasslands at Night.   Meeting place: De Anza Park in Calabasas.

Lang Ranch/Albertson at Night.   Directions to the trailhead: Exit the 101 Freeway on Westlake Blvd and head north for about 3 miles. When you go past the North Ranch Community Center you will go downhill and the first traffic light is at the corner of Westlake and Lang Ranch Parkway. Turn right onto Lang Ranch Parkway and drive about 0.8 miles to where the pavement ends and Albertson Fire Road begins.

Lang Ranch/Sunset at Night.   Meeting place: Heading north on the 23 toward Simi, get off at Sunset Blvd and turn right. Continue straight until just before you get to the guard shack. Park in the lot on the right.

Reseda at Night.   Due to the extra drive, we will meet @ 6:15 and ride by 6:30. Meeting place: Take the 101 Freeway to the Reseda Blvd. exit in Tarzana. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south (towards the ocean). Continue up Reseda and park at the Caballero trailhead. Trailhead is on the left. If you pass the Braemar Country Club you’ve gone too far.

Space Mountain at Night.   Meeting place: dirt lot at south end of Moorpark Road.

Sycamore Canyon at Night.   Meeting place: Steve Clark’s house 3168 Holloway Ct. (Take Wendy Drive towards Sycamore Cyn - about a mile after Kimber turn left onto Holloway - Steve’s house is on the right.)

Wildwood at Night.   Meeting place: dirt lot at west end of Avenida de los Arboles.

HIKES

Tuesday, October 3: Hike Long Canyon.   This hike has many scenic spots with panoramic views and several ascents and descents, the exact route to be determined the eve of the hike. This is a moderate hike of 5 miles. Bring the usual, flashlights, water, food, radios, wear hiking boots, etc. Meet at 6:15 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later. About 2.25 Hours, Hike Leader: Bob

We've received so many requests to continue the hikes, that we've decided to start up the BRAND NEW WEEKLY FALL EVENING HIKES! These hikes will be lead by various people, all of whom you've been hiking with all summer :).

Directions:   Take the 101 or 118 Freeway to the 23 Freeway and exit at Olsen Rd. At the end of the off-ramp proceed east. If you pass a golf course you went the wrong way. Proceed to Wood Ranch Parkway and turn right (South). Park in the paved parking area where this street dead-ends.

Tuesday, October 10: Fall Night Hike.   The Fall Tues. eve hikes are at a moderate pace covering approx. 5 miles. Bring the usual, flashlights, water, food, radios, wear hiking boots, and layers for the cooler months, etc. Information will be emailed to the NRMB egroup detailing this weeks hike info. and leader. Or you many contact Charlotte at AftOnAGale@sbcglobal.net

 Meet at 6:15 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later. About 2.25 Hours,

Tuesday, October 17: Hike to Simi Peak.   Now that Cheseboro is open, we can do my favorite night hike! We start up a trail that takes us up "suicide" up to China Flats, than over and up to Simi Peak. At night, you can see the lights of T.O. Simi, Woodland Hills, and beyond. It is a beautiful site at night. We then hike down Dead Cow. This hike is a little longer than our usual hike, but well worth the trip for this wonderful night time experience. Meet at 6:15 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later. About 2.75 Hours,

Wear layers for this hike, as sometimes the peak can be a bit cool.

Directions:   From the 101 Fwy, exit Lindero and turn North. Proceed a couple miles or so, and park on the street at the Trailhead on the left. I will provide better details to the trailhead later.

Tuesday, October 24: Hike Malibu Creek.   This will be a moderate hike, approx. 5 miles, on some fire road and single track. Bring the usual, flashlights, water, food, radios, wear hiking boots, and wear layers for the cooler weather, etc. Meet at 6:15 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later. About 2.25 Hours,

We've received so many requests to continue the hikes, that we've decided to start up the BRAND NEW WEEKLY FALL EVENING HIKES! These hikes will be lead by various people, all of whom you've been hiking with all summer :).

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway South to the Lost Hills Road exit in Calabasas. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south until it ends at Las Virgenes. Turn right on Las Virgenes. Proceed to Mulholland. Park in the dirt area on the corner of Las Virgenes and Mulholland. (From 101 North, exit Las Virgenes, turn south and proceed to Mullhulland.)