Ojai Valley Century bike ride was started by in 2004 three routes were chosen: metric (62), full century (100) and a double metric (124). All routes included tours out of Ojai, past Casitas Lake and up over the double Casitas Pass, a fast ride down the other side into Carpentaria and back down the coast to Ventura.
The Metric returned to Ojai via the Ventura river Trail, while the full century skirted Ventura on its way to Santa Paula. Out of Santa Paula, the route takes highway 150, up past Steckel Park, St Thomas Aquinas School up the grade to the Summit in 4 miles to the Summit. A long gentle down hill rewards the cyclist with sweeping views through the beautiful pastoral Upper Ojai Valley. A short sprint up past Dennison Park gets the cyclist set for a fast downhill with sweeping turns into the lower Ojai Valley and a straight shot back into Ojai.

The double metric continues from there out of Ojai via Hwy 33 climbing up past Matillija Canyon to the Rose Valley turn around where a quick break and a return will reward the cyclist with a long fast return back into Ojai.

Late in 2006, ride director Andrew Bassuk sought to turn over the ride to the Channel Islands Bike Club (http://www.cibike.org ). The CIBC, already sponsoring the popular Cool Breeze Century ride, did not want to take on another major ride. One member of the CIBC Board, Jerry Boone—a long time cyclist and BSA (Boy Scouts) Cycling Merit Badge Counselor and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 103, suggested offering sponsorship to the local Scout troops. Two troops were interested, Troop 103 and 179. Work began immediately to organize a Board, set up a steering committee, incorporate (Ojai Valley Rides, Inc.), and get the web page converted, and assembled a team of veteran cyclists to advise the Board on routes, food and all other aspects that make rides desirable to cyclists. Routes and support were improved based on comments from previous year’s riders.

So here we are today on the verge of the 5th Annual Ojai Valley Century, the second year under reorganized management with a clear intent to make your cycling experience in this area enjoyable and to make these rides one of the premier rides of choice for avid cyclists.


ABOUT OJAI AND THE AREAS THROUGH WHICH WE RIDE:
Ojai has a reputation as being the Shang ri la of Ventura County. With its old mission style architecture, and its layback atmosphere, it is a mecca for artists of all persuasions. Ojai has received attention in the cycling world as being the city of choice for Team Discovery to hold its annual “ride with the sponsors.” It also has the distinction of being the route chosen for stage 6 of the increasingly well known Amgen Tour of California. With a mild Mediterranean climate all year round, the California coast nearby, challenging climbs in multiple directions, Ojai is truly a city for cyclists, and we are proud to be part of carrying on that tradition.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jerry Boone Ride Director
Ojai Valley Rides, Inc.
PO Box 5061
Ventura, CA 93005-0061
805-302-0537 (cell)
email: RideDirector@OjaiValleyCentury.org

Your privacy is important, the Ojai Valley Century privacy policy:
“The names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses and other personal information obtained from riders, volunteers, and sponsors will not be shared with third parties, except: (1) where needed to facilitate the ride, (2) where needed to perform other fundamental objectives of the organization, or (3) where required by law.”