Has anyone ridden Rose Valley Road outside of Ojai, CA?

[cgolvin]

I have heard this is a lovely road and am planning to ride it this spring. It's mostly paved but there is a short unpaved section and it would be nice to know if it's manageable on a road bike with 28s.

The specific section I'm curious about is highlighted here:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35162...ghlight=87-268

[GOTHBROOKS]

youd just be taking the highway out of town and climbing until the turn off for the road to the trail head and campground? youre fine. the trail dead ends in the dirt somewhere near the shooting range. but im not sure how to get there since the 33 is still closed.

[cgolvin]

Thanks very much -- yes, I was just planning an out-and-back on 33 to get to Rose Valley, had no idea it was closed (CALTRANS says one way traffic with up to 15 minute delays for cars, bicycles not permitted).

You're saying that the dirt section I highlighted is no problem on a road bike, right?

[deluz]

If you are in the area, there is a very nice bike path separate from the road from Ventura to Ojai. The ride around Lake Casitas to Carpenteria and then return on the coast is also nice but does have car traffic but usually not too much.

[GOTHBROOKS]

its been a while since ive lived there but i THINK that last part of dirt youve marked is ok. the climb from rose valley campground up to the fire road is steep as hell i would not try that on 28s.

riding around the lake is sketchy to me because of the lack of shoulder and too many blind turns.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by deluz

If you are in the area, there is a very nice bike path separate from the road from Ventura to Ojai. The ride around Lake Casitas to Carpenteria and then return on the coast is also nice but does have car traffic but usually not too much.

Yes, very familiar with all that, thanks.

[bicycletricycle]

Originally Posted by deluz

If you are in the area, there is a very nice bike path separate from the road from Ventura to Ojai. The ride around Lake Casitas to Carpenteria and then return on the coast is also nice but does have car traffic but usually not too much.

That is a nice loop.

[GOTHBROOKS]

if you open up google maps and follow that road you have marked you can see the road conditions pretty well. those highlighted areas are out to the piedra blanca trailheads. its paved but unmaintained. i havent been up there in forever but the views are very nice. will be hot as HELL going up there in the summer.

[GOTHBROOKS]

if you keep going like a mile or so passed the turn for rose valley, youll climb a little bit more and be at the saddle for probably the coolest view in the valley. locals call it the phone booth.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by GOTHBROOKS

if you open up google maps and follow that road you have marked you can see the road conditions pretty well. those highlighted areas are out to the piedra blanca trailheads. its paved but unmaintained. i havent been up there in forever but the views are very nice. will be hot as HELL going up there in the summer.

Thanks, I'll take a look. I was hoping to do this in the next month+ to avoid the heat but if 33 doesn't open by then I'll wait until fall.

Originally Posted by GOTHBROOKS

if you keep going like a mile or so passed the turn for rose valley, youll climb a little bit more and be at the saddle for probably the coolest view in the valley. locals call it the phone booth.

Yeah, I've ridden 33 all the way to the Pine Mountain summit (when there was snow there). It was mostly very nice, only diminished by a few d-bag drivers on the road.

[HowardCosellsPR]

Pine Mountain Ridge was one of my favorite roads in California. If you are heading up to Rose, and don't mind packing an extra water bottle... I think it's a must do.

[GOTHBROOKS]

i used to refill at bellyache springs, on the left side of the 33 like halfway between rose and wheeler. no giardia, they called it bellyache because people on horseback would meet there and talk trash.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by HowardCosellsPR

Pine Mountain Ridge was one of my favorite roads in California. If you are heading up to Rose, and don't mind packing an extra water bottle... I think it's a must do.

Interesting. Edit: I see that it's a paved out and back from 33. I added it to my Rose Valley route and it works out to just about a century with 100 feet of elevation per mile starting from Ojai, my kind of ride. Hoping that 33 opens before the heat gets oppressive.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by GOTHBROOKS

youd just be taking the highway out of town and climbing until the turn off for the road to the trail head and campground? youre fine. the trail dead ends in the dirt somewhere near the shooting range. but im not sure how to get there since the 33 is still closed.

Why is 33 closed? It was a lot of fun on a motorcycle.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Why is 33 closed? It was a lot of fun on a motorcycle.

From CalTrans:

1-way controlled traffic at various locations from 2.7 mi north of Ojai (Ventura Co) to 13.4 mi south of the Ventura/Santa Barbara Co Line 24 hrs a day 7 days a week - Due to emergency repair work - Motorists are subject to delays of up to 15 minutes - Bicycles are not permitted

So if you wanted to ride it on your moto you could come over Frazier Park or Lockwood Valley to Pine Mountain and approach from the north … provided you didn't mind turning around to go back after enjoying 33