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

November 2007

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday November 4!

Remember to bring your walkie-talkie on the ride with you. We use channel 5, privacy code 25.

During the rainy winter months, if the ground is wet, call the ride leader on the morning of the ride to see if it's been relocated to a drier trail. There may also be a notice on the web site (http://www.nrmbc.org), but don't rely on that.

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.

WEEKEND RIDES

Saturday, November 3: Malibu Creek - Bulldog - Tapia.   This is loop ride with beautiful vistas of both the mountains and the ocean. The climb up Bulldog is rather difficult due to its steepness and length, approximately 3.7 miles to the top. From here we will take Castro Motorway down to the Corral Canyon parking lot. Continuing on, we’ll take Mesa Peak, which has several good climbs and descents. There is a great downhill to be enjoyed once we reach the Tapia fireroad. This fireroad ends at Malibu Cyn Rd just south of Tapia County Park. Then we’ll take the Tapia Spur Connector trail back to the cars. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E5, Technical Rating = T3, 16 Miles and 3200 Feet of Climbing , About 4.5 Hours , Ride Leader: Huck

Although the main ride will meet at 9AM, there will be a slower group meeting at 8:30AM to start 30 minutes earlier.

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.

Sunday, November 4: Grasslands/Malibu Creek/Las Virgenes View.   We’ll bike over to Malibu Creek State Park via the Grasslands trail. Once inside the park we’ll proceed along the main fireroad, which passes through a fairly short but technical rocky streambed. After a short stop at the M*A*S*H site for the hill-climb challenge we’ll bike to the dam and back along the same path out to Mulholland Road. From here we’ll cross over Las Virgenes Road and climb up the Las Virgenes View singletrack and take in the nice view from the top. It’s a fun ride back down the singletrack. Then we’ll hop back onto the Grasslands trail and peddle back to the cars. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3, Technical Rating = T3, 16 Miles and 3200 Feet of Climbing , About 3.5 Hours , Ride Leader: Randy

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Lost Hills Road exit in Calabasas. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. Park in the lot for DeAnza Park located on the northwest corner of Lost Hills and Las Virgenes Roads.

Saturday, November 10: Ojai - Gridley to Nordhoff Peak.   This is a beautiful out and back ride on 85% singletrack that affords some spectacular views along the way. The ride begins with a fairly technical and difficult climb up a short connector trail. The first half of the main trail is a moderate climb and passes through several avocado groves. The second half of the main trail narrows and steepens a bit with many switchbacks. At the top of the saddle we’ll cutoff onto a fairly short but very steep fireroad that leads to an old fire lookout tower. The views from the top make the climb up worth the effort. Since this is an out and back ride, those who tire can turn back at any time and coast back to the cars. Meet at 8:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E5, Technical Rating = T4.5, 15 Miles and 3400 Feet of Climbing , About 4 Hours , Ride Leader: Tamara

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to Highway 33, just a bit west of Ventura. Continue north on the 33 for approximately 13 miles until the road branches and take Highway 150 to the East. Pass through the town of Ojai and make a left (north) onto Gridley. Park at the end of the road.

Saturday, November 17: 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 9:30 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.

Sunday, November 18: Parker Mesa Overlook from Reseda.   This is a scenic out and back ride with terrific views along the way and of the ocean and the islands at the Parker Mesa Overlook. We will start at the South end of Reseda (not at the Caballero Trail, but further up Reseda.) We will ride up to the top end of Dirt Mulholland and ride across the Temescal Ridge Trail to the Hub. From here will we ride past Eagles Rock and continue onto Trippet Ranch, then continues onto the Parker Mesa Overlook before turning around. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.5, Technical Rating = T2, 17 Miles and 3400 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Leader: Charlotte

Marizel will lead a slower paced group, meeting time is 8:30 a.m. Charlotte will lead a faster paced group meeting at 9:00 a.m.

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.

Friday, November 23: Cheeseboro/China Flats/Bell Canyon.   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 it's over to Bell Canyon where we'll take the Bell Canyon Single Track, a challenging rocky/rutted trail. Then finally back to the cars on fire road via Las Virgenes Canyon and one last climb up pump hill to get to Cheeseboro road. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T4, 20 Miles and 2500 Feet of Climbing , About 3.5 Hours , Ride Leader: Randy

This is about the 18th time we celibrate having no life and nobody to go shopping for so we have a ride the day after Thanksgiving

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, November 24: Backbone: Kanan to Corral Canyon.   This is an out and back ride that is 100% singletrack and 200% fun. We will ride the Backbone singletrack approximately 7 miles to the parking area at the top of Corral Canyon. This trail has a lot of ups and downs and is quite technical in some sections. We’ll stop at the parking area for a while and take in the view. The ride back to the car will proceed along the same trail. Meet at 8:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4, Technical Rating = T4, 14 Miles and 2600 Feet of Climbing , About 3.5 Hours , Ride Leader: Tamara

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 the third tunnel (don't forget to count them). Park in the paved parking area just before the tunnel. If you are coming from PCH then look for the parking area just after the first tunnel on the left.

Sunday, November 25: North Ranch Rim Trail.   How about a ride that starts where this bike club started years and years ago? Lets bike along the northern edge of North Ranch moving east until we get to Dead Cow Road. Then we ride over to the new trail above Double Tree in Oak Park. This leads us back to the bottom of Suicide and back into Oak Park (is that the real name?). Then, instead of backtracking the way we came, there is a new trail just off Falling Star that gets us back to the area above North Ranch and then we backtrack to our cars. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E4.5, Technical Rating = T4, 15 Miles, About 4 Hours , Ride Leader: Randy

Directions:   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 turn right onto Lang Ranch Parkway. The trailhead is about 300 yards east of Westlake Blvd on Lang Ranch Parkway.

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:

Lang Ranch/Sunset at Night.   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.

MTB Backbone from Kanan at Night.   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.

MTB Cheeseboro at Night.   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. Park in the lower, paved parking lot (the gate to the upper lot is closed and locked at sunset).

MTB Dos Vientos at Night.   From the 101 freeway, turn south onto Wendy Drive, towards the ocean. Continue for about 0.7 miles and turn right at Borchard Rd and head West 0.5 miles. Turn left on to S. Reino Rd taking this South for about a mile passing Maurice Dr. On your left as you pass Paseo de Leon will be a Church parking lot. We will meet there.

MTB Grasslands at Night.   Take the 101 Freeway to the Lost Hills Road exit in Calabasas. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south toward the ocean. Park in the lot for DeAnza Park located on the northwest corner of Lost Hills and Las Virgenes Roads.

MTB Lang Ranch/Albertson at Night.   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.

MTB Las Virgenes Canyon at Night.   From the 101, exit Las Virgenes and turn North (away from the ocean). Proceed approximately one mile to the dead end.

MTB Space Mountain at Night.   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.

MTB Wildwood at Night.   Take the Lynn Road exit, off of the 101 Fwy in Thousand Oaks, and go north until you come to Avenida De Los Arboles. Turn left and go about 1 mile to the end. From Simi Valley, go west on the 118 Fwy and then south when it turns into the 23 Fwy. Get off on Avenida De Los Arboles and go right for about 2 miles to the end. Hang a U-turn at the end (watch for opposing traffic) and then turn right into the dirt parking lot.

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.

Sycamore Canyon at Night.   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.

Trippet Ranch to Overlook at Night.   Take the 101 Fwy to the Topanga Blvd exit. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south (towards the ocean). Continue up Topange approx. 5 miles until you reach Entrada which is the entrance to the park on the left. Follow Entrada to the park entrance.

Triunfo Canyon Trail at Night.   Exit the 101 Freeway going south on Westlake Blvd. Go south for about a mile and then turn west (right) on Triunfo Canyon Road. This will lead you to Triunfo Park. Turn left onto Tamarack St and turn into the second parking lot on the left. The ride starts at the far west end of the park.

HIKES

Sunday, November 11: Hike Lost Cabin Trail in Malibu Creek State Park.   This hike starts above Malibu Creek State Park and will give us great views of Century Lake and the surrounding mountains as we descend to Crags Rd. We'll end up at the Lost Cabin site. The mountains around the Lost Cabin Trail are the sandstone peaks you see in M*A*S*H that are supposed to be Korea. The trails we'll hike are ones we see all the time when we ride here, but are closed to bikes. They give a different and spectacular view of the park that you can't see on a bike.

If we want to go a little further, or it turns out to be a really hot day, we can take the cool and shaded Forest Trail along the back side of Century Lake. This trail goes through a grove of Redwood trees that were planted in the early part of the 20th century. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later. 5 Miles and 1700 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Hike Leader: Steve

Directions:   Take the 101 Freeway to the Lost Hills Road exit in Calabasas. Drive south until it ends at Las Virgenes. Turn right on Las Virgenes. Proceed to Mulholland and turn right. Drive 1.75 miles and park in the dirt area on the left at the Cistern Trail trailhead. This is just about where Mulholland starts downhill after climbing up from Las Virgenes Canyon Rd.