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

January 2017

During the rainy winter months, if the ground is wet, contact the ride scheduler 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), or the NRMB egroup, but don't rely on this if there is not a comment.

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 schedulers 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

Sunday, January 1: Space Mountain/Rosewood.   This is a fun loop ride with lots of singletrack and switchbacks for your biking enjoyment. We start with a singletrack climb up Space Mountain. Then we’ll continue along the Los Robles Trail to the "Lookout" and take a break at the picnic table. Then it’s time to catch some thrills as we make our way down the Rosewood Singletrack to Lynn Road. After a short jaunt on pavement we are back on dirt again. This portion of the trail has a few ups and downs and connects with the whoop-de-doo trail that leads back to the cars. Meet at 12:00 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2.5, Technical Rating = T3, 8 Miles and 1500 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Randy

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.

Saturday, January 7: Tour de Dos Vientos.   This is a loop ride that will show off the best of the newish Dos Vientos neighourhood trails. We'll explore trails old and new with some connections on pavement. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.5, Technical Rating = T3, 18 Miles and 3000 Feet of Climbing , About 3 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Tamara

Directions:   Ventura Freeway to Wendy in Newbury Park; head south to Lynn Road, turn right; proceed to Via Goleta and turn left into the driveway. Park in the last lot with bathrooms.

Sunday, January 8: Grasslands - Malibu Creek - Short Bulldog.   We start at De Anza Park and ride over to Malibu Creek State Park via the Grasslands trail. Then we proceed along the main fire road, which passes through a fairly short but technical rocky streambed (if too technical please don’t hesitate to walk). After a short stop at the M*A*S*H site we’ll take on the first 1.25 miles of the Bulldog Fire Road. Then we cut off to Lookout Fire Road that brings us down to a paved road in the Malibu Lake area. We’ll take Crags Road to a back entrance of the park and peddle back to the cars via the same path as before. Meet at 8:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3, Technical Rating = T3, 14 Miles and 2100 Feet of Climbing , About 2.75 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Tom

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.

Sunday, January 8: Sycamore from the Beach, Wood Cyn, Sin Nombre.   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. Instead of going back to the main fireroad - depending on the speed we all ride, we can climb up Two Foxes, connect back to the main fireroad, and ride up the paved Ranch Center drive. Then we'll go up to Art's Trail and blast down Sin Nombre (depending if anyone has more endurance - this will add approximately 5 more miles to the original distance and 600 ft of climbing) Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2.5, Technical Rating = T2, 14 Miles and 1200 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Kerry

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 approximately 14 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 $12 fee for parking in the lot you can look for parking on PCH. For the ride 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, turn left after you pass the gaurd).

Saturday, January 14: Cheeseboro for Beginners.   We'll be riding Cheeseboro, as it is an ideal place for a beginner's ride. Just watch out for the big rock with poison oak!! We'll ride 'til we drop, (to Shepherd's Flat) and turn around and ride back. I guarantee it will be a fun ride. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2, Technical Rating = T2.5, 10 Miles and 700 Feet of Climbing , About 2 Hours , Ride Scheduler: 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, January 15: CORBA RAM (Ride & Mingle) Ride in Sycamore Canyon.   Come join us for this rescheduled CORBA RAM (ride & mingle) ride and pancake brunch at Michael's Bicycles. Ride is at 9am and pancake brunch at Michael's Bicycles is at 12:30pm. Suggested donation for the pancake brunch is $10. You can renew your CORBA membership too or purchase a new one at the pancake brunch!

Newbury Park! Meet at Wendy and Potrero in Newbury Park.

We will all ride over to the TEE PEE, take a group photo and split up into groups. Beginners welcomed with open arms!

All levels welcomed! We will offer guided rides.

Rain on the day cancels the ride. More than a half inch in the 24 hours prior to the ride also cancels the ride.

Any questions, please contact Wendy Engelberg: wendy@girlzgoneriding.com or 818-522-0840 Meet at 8:45 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2-4, Technical Rating = T2-4, About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: 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.

Sunday, January 15: CORBA Pancake Brunch and Fundraiser.   Come join us for this pancake brunch at Michael's Bicycles in Newbury Park, preceded by a ride in Sycamore Canyon. The brunch is a fundraiser to support CORBA (Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association) and the work they do in support of mountain biking and our use of the public trails in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The ride is at 9am and pancake brunch at Michael's Bicycles is at 12:30pm. Suggested donation for the pancake brunch is $10. You can renew your CORBA membership too or purchase a new one at the pancake brunch!

Any questions, please contact Wendy Engelberg: wendy@girlzgoneriding.com or 818-522-0840 Meet at 12:30 pm and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = More, Technical Rating = Fun!, About 1 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Wendy

Directions:   MICHAEL'S BICYCLES
(805) 498-6633
2257 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

From Wendy and Potrero: Drive north on Wendy Drive for 1.9 miles, then turn right onto Borchard Road. Continue 1.0 miles to Michael Drive, turn right, then turn left into the mall just past the Chevron gas station.

From the 101 Freeway: Exit the 101 Freeway at Borchard Road in Newbury Park. Head south/west on Borchard (the other direction is Rancho Conejo - don't go that way!) then turn left onto Michael Drive. Turn left into the mall just after the Chevron gas station.

Saturday, January 21: Puerco from PCH.   Puerco Canyon Rd. is about halfway between Malibu Canyon Rd and Kanan Rd off PCH, just south of Malibu Seafood. The fire road climbs with an easy pace to warm up. Then we’ll enter the new James Cameron Park and check out the ruins of the old pig farm. (hence the name Puerco) Then we’ll head up a short but steep jeep track for a great view of Pepperdine and the ocean. Then back down and a steep climb up to a great long downhill singletrack that will take us to PCH with a short pavement climb back to the vehicles. Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later Meet at 9:00 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E3.5, Technical Rating = T3, 12 Miles and 2000 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Jonny K.

Directions:   From the 101 head West on Las Virgenes Canyon/Malibu Canyon Road towards the ocean. It deadends at PCH. Turn right onto Pacific Coast Hwy. Proceed 1 miles and turn right onto Puerco Canyon Rd. Proceed to the end. We’ll meet at the end of Puerco Canyon Rd at the gate where the fire road starts with parking along the side of the road in the dirt.

Sunday, January 22: Cheeseboro/China Flats Loop.   We will begin with an easy to moderate climb up the Sulphur Springs trail to Shepherd’s Flat. Then we head west on the Palo Comado connector singletrack that leads to the Palo Comado fireroad. We’ll continue up this rather steep fireroad for approximately a mile till we come to the top of China Flats. The loop ride around the top of China Flats is both beautiful and easy. We’ll then 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 = E3.5, Technical Rating = T3.0, 15 Miles and 1800 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Charlotte

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, January 22: Sycamore Canyon from the Beach - Two Foxes & Wood Canyon.   We will meet at the parking lot restroom on the hill side of PCH. We begin with a ride up the Big Sycamore Trail. At about three miles, turn left on to Wood Canyon and then a quick right turn to Two Foxes for some single track riding. At the junction with the Sin Nombre trail we have two options: option 1, take Sin Nombre to Ranch Center Road; option 2, less experienced riders can turn right for a short distance and turn left;Big the Sycamore Trail; turn left at the paved Ranch Center Road. We regroup at the water tower and after a short break, continue down Ranch Center Road and turn left at Wood Canyon. The best part of this ride is blasting down Wood Canyon and then back to the main fire road and on to the parking lot. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2, Technical Rating = T2, 13 Miles and 950 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: Michael

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 approximately 14 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 $12 fee for parking in the lot you can look for parking on PCH. For the ride 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, turn left after you pass the gaurd).

Saturday, January 28: REI "All Out" Event & Ride.   REI is trying to get as many people outside on January 28th as possible and they are hosting a series of events around the country. They are hoping to inspire people to reach for their outdoor goals for 2017. The event is called “All Out” and will be supported by a nationwide media campaign. At MCSP, REI will be setting up an event space at the Upper Lot area from 9AM – 1PM with snacks, drinks, and classes. They will be running an assortment of Outdoor School classes. Additionally, REI has asked CORBA/GGR to be there to lead a mtn bike ride. Please come out and join us on this "All Out" day of fun! The ride will be geared towards advanced beginner and intermediate riders. It will be a mellow, social paced ride. You will be required to register for this ride on the REI website before the ride. This ride is being capped at 30 riders so please get registered now before it fills up! Register at 

Sunday, January 29: Michaels Bicycles Girls Only Shop Ride.   Hey Girls, come out and join us for another Michael's Bicycles Girls Only Mtn Bike Shop Ride! Refreshments, food & big shop discounts immediately following the ride! Michael's Bicycles will serve up some delicious protein smoothies, fruit, and bagels for a little post workout recovery after the ride back at their shop! They are also extending a generous 20% discount on all women's clothing and riding gear to all of the participating women riders. In addition, Samantha will provide (free) saddle fitting/measurements and saddle recommendations. WooHoo!!! Come out and join us for a fun day!

Sunday, January 29: Grasslands to Dam.   Starting from De Anza Park, we’ll bike over to Malibu Creek State Park via the Grasslands Trail. Once inside the park, we will proceed along the main fireroad that leads up to Crags Road, which passes through a fairly short but technical rocky streambed (some of the technical parts can be rideable, but you can walk this area to be on the safe side). After a short stop at the M*A*S*H area, we continue on to the dam. We’ll retrace our tracks that take us back to De Anza Park. Meet at 9:30 am and be ready to depart 15 minutes later.
Endurance Rating = E2.5, Technical Rating = T3, 12 Miles and 1400 Feet of Climbing , About 2.5 Hours , Ride Scheduler: 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.

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:

MTB Backbone at Encinal.   From Thousand Oaks and points west, exit the 101 Freeway at Westlake Blvd and head south. About 3.5 miles past Potrero, turn left onto Mulholland and go 2.5 miles. Make a very sharp right turn onto Encinal Canyon Rd (west, back towards Decker), drive for 2.3 miles until you see the LA County Fire Camp sign on the left. Turn up the dirt road on the right that takes you to the trailhead parking.
From Agoura and points east, exit the 101 at Kanan and head south. After 6 miles, turn right onto Mulholland for 1 mile, then bear left onto Encinal Canyon Rd. After 2.3 miles more, you will see the LA County Fire Camp sign on the left. Turn up the dirt road on the right that takes you to the trailhead parking.

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 Calabasas Peak at Night.   Take the 101 Fwy to Valley Circle/Mulholland Dr. exit. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south (towards the ocean). Continue south on Mulholland and make a right on Valmar which becomes Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Continue on Old Topanga which will join Mulholland Hwy briefly and then continue on the left. Follow Old Topanga about 1.5 miles and look for the Calabasas Peak trail head on the right across from Summit to Summit trail.

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 Chumash at Night.   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.

MTB CLU/Santa Rosa at Night.   Take the 101 Freeway to the Lynn Road exit in Thousand Oaks. At the end of the off-ramp proceed north. Take Lynn for several miles (it will turn into Olsen Road) until you reach Mountclef Blvd (at CLU). Or, from the 23 Freeway, exit at Avenida de los Arboles and go west. Turn right on Mountclef (at the stop sign after Moorpark Rd.), cross Olsen Rd. and park on the street.

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. Turn left on to S. Reino Rd heading South for about 0.5 mile to the Alberton's parking lot. Park in the Northeast corner of the Alberton's parking lot. We will meet there.

MTB Grasslands - slower paced .   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 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 Grasslands/Las Virgenes View 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 Grasslands/MCSP 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 Johnson's Motorway at Night.   From Thousand Oaks take the 118 and exit at Rocky Peak Rd. Turn right, and then an immediate left onto Santa Susana Pass Rd. Proceed to Iverson Rd. and turn left. From the the South, from the 118 exit Topanga Cyn Blvd & turn left. Turn right on Santa Susana Pass Rd., and right onto Iverson Rd. Parking is just outside the gate, near the underpass in Iverson Rd.

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 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 Las Virgenes Canyon at Night.   From the 101, exit Las Virgenes and turn North (away from the ocean). Proceed approximately 1.5 miles to the dead end. Parking is on the street.

MTB Malibu Creek State Park at Night.   Take the 101 Freeway to the Las Virgenes Road exit in Calabasas. At the end of the off-ramp proceed south on Las Virgenes toward the ocean. Park in one of the dirt areas on the corner of Las Virgenes and Mulholland.

MTB New Millennium/Las Virgenes View/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 New Millennium/Las Virgenes View/MCSP/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 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.

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 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.

MTB Topanga Area at Night.   From Thousand Oaks: take the 101 South and exit at Mulholland Dr/Valley Circle Blvd. Turn left on Calabasas Rd then make first right on Mulholland Dr. Drive approx 1.75 miles and turn right (south) on Topanga Cyn Blvd. Drive approx 3 miles and make a left on Viewridge Rd (just past the summit). Park at end of Viewridge Rd. From the East SF Valley: take the 101 North and exit at Topanga Cyn Blvd SOUTH. Drive South for 3.5 miles and make a left on Viewridge Rd (just past the summit). Park at the end of the Viewridge Rd.

MTB 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.

MTB 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. We start at the far west end of the park.

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.