-Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails-

Have you ever bike a route and said "Wow, that was the most fantastic ride I have ever biked?" Well, Mike and Nancy did such a ride in Pennsylvania. South of Hershey is a converted railroad line turned into a composite bike trail that is 20 miles one way. We rented two mountain bikes from the Rails to Trails Bike Shop in Elizabethtown. Lucky for us the new bike shop was right along side of the trail. We headed out for a beautifully wonderful springtime ride in 72 degree weather in the shape of trees along a creek. The route is well marked with plenty of rest stop/parking areas. At one of the stops we "found" a volunteered staffed refreshment stand with tables, restrooms, food, drink and the nicest biker people. What a find! This association keep this "Root Beer Barrel" stand open on weekends from May to October. They had information on the association, route as well as t-shirts for sale. So much fun. We need something like this along the Ojai Valley Trail. More photos will follow, so check back soon.

-Cruisin the Conejo 11-

Wow, what a great turnout the Moorpark Bike Rides group had at the local Cruisin the Conejo charity rides. The group had a choice of the difficult 62 miler or the moderate 68 miler or the 35 mile hilly route or the 21 mile short route. The group of Ernesto, Big Dave, Tom, Melissa, Dennis and Cindy biked the 68 miler while Ron, Mike and Nancy did the 35 miler and Mike and his friend did the beginner 21 miler. The weather was fantastic as were the beautiful routes throughout the eastern section of Ventura County. So pics can be found by clicking on "Cruisin the Conejo Photos" furnished by Tom P.

-Highway 101 Bike Lane Improvement-

Ground breaking ceremonies finally opened on April 30th for the widening and improving of the bike lanes on the 101 Freeway from Seacliff in Ventura and Bates Road in Carpinteria. The members of the Channels Islands Bike Club started their ride from the Mission Parking Lot in Ventura to the ground breaking at Casitas Pass Highway 150 and Carpinteria Avenue. The CIBC was instrumental in helping form the final decisions for the bike lanes on that section. Eventually (2015 or sooner) the bike lanes will begin after the Rincon Fire Station at the underpass of the old Mobil Pier. A new entrance will be installed on the oceanside of the freewy where BOTH north and south bike lanes will be constructed nearest the ocean. Their will be no parking allowed on this area so as to allow more room for an additional carpool (3rd lane) and the bike lanes. The bike lanes will have a safety (k-rail) to help shield the bikers from the cars and truck along the freeway. Thanks to everyone that was involved in the upgrading of this important Pacific Coast Bike Trail. One of many links just click on "101 Widening."

-Road Biking in the Las Vegas Area-

So Mike and Nancy ventured to Las Vegas for one week. Yes, one full week. The questions are always the same, "What do you do in Las Vegas for a week?" Well besides the obvious things, we biked. Yes, biked in Las Vegas. Not Las Vegas proper, but outside the city limits. They were lucky to find two fantastic areas for road bikers. The first is more familiar, that being the "Red Rock Canyon" area. Heading out from the northwestern end of Las Vegas is the beautiful and modern town of Summerlin. Here are numerous roads marked with bike lanes, bike only trails and backcountry roads into the BLM Land of majestic Red Rock Canyon. Routes in this area can be moderate to very difficult. Altitude is deceaving because of the desert surroundings. But, our upper most climb reached 4500 feet in the Red Rock area. The second region they discovered was the "River Mountain Trail System" from Boulder City and heading to Lake Mead. This was a surprise in that the old railroad system to help make the Hoover Dam was replaced with a paved bike trail for over 25 miles one way. No stop lights, no stop signs AND no Starbucks. Can you believe they actually did a ride with no Starbucks in sight? Well, the route was basically moderate do to the rolling nature of the trails. Try either of these two road biking areas for a wonderful biking experience. It is recommended you choose November thru early April to avoid the hot desert months. So next time bring your bike along with your gambling money when visiting Las Vegas. Click on "Las Vegas Biking Photos" to view some fun pics.

-Two Rides for the Price of One-

Zero is the best price to pay for a fun bike ride. So when two are offered the same weekend, why not pay double? Zero! We were lucky to have two of our favorite rides occur on the same weekend. The "Lost Canyons 31 Miler" from Moorpark on Saturday and the "Somis Groves 31 Miler" from Camarillo on Sunday. Both rides had the group stopping at golf courses for our refueling break. The beautiful Lost Canyons Golf Course and the Moorpark Country Club offered food for us hungry riders with great views of the courses. Come join us next time for some wonderful rides in the Eastern Ventura County. Thanks so Mike L. for the photos.

-2nd Annual Solvang Spring Fling-

Well, if you didn't join the MPBC & CIBC biking groups for our 2nd Annual Solvang Spring Fling then we are terribly sorry. The weather was fantastic, the routes were fun and the people were better. Friday evening we ate together at the Solvang Brewing Company in our own separate room with fantastic food and drink. Saturday morning ride was very cold but developed into a warm and beautiful spring day having about 25 riders in all. Saturday evening we gathered at Mike and Nancy's RV in the Flying Flags RV Resort. A full setup of pizza from Gino's in Buellton along with the food brought by the bikers made for a wonderfully fun social night. Sunday morning's ride was a short 30 miler through Los Olivos to Michael Jackson's old Neverland Ranch on beautiful Figueroa Mountain Road. Spring WAS in bloom on this magnificent country road. Join us next year on the first weekend in April for 2013. Click on "Theresa's Photos" to view one set. Also, check out "Mike's Photos" too.Come back soon were you can view "Ron's Photos" submitted by our resident photographer Ron Parker.

-A Misty and Rainy Day-

Well, the forecast was for drizzle and rain. And guess what? The weatherman was correct. But a few adventureous men participated in the "Santa Susana Adventure" ride to the Old Susana Cafe by the Santa Susana Pass in Simi Valley. Congrats to all that survived this wonderful 39 miler in east Ventura County.

It is spring. So it is time to get your bike ready for our "2nd Annual Solvang Spring Fling" biking activity. Detailed information can be found in the webpage at http://solvangspringtimebiketour.blogspot.com/ Come up for the entire weekend, or for one day or even just the morning. Whatever you choose will be worth your efforts. Great bike ride routes with lots of great biking friends from the Moorpark Bike Rides Group and the Channel Island Bike Club. Make sure you email Mike at mdstew48@gmail.com so he knows if you plan on participating in the fun event and what days you plan on attending. See you in a few weeks.

-Lost Canyons was Found-

Yes, Lost Canyons was never really lost. We found it on our ride from Moorpark into North Simi Valley on this beautiful, but cold, winter's February ride. Even though only eight are in the group photo there were at least sixteen riders on this Saturday morning. Our destination was the Lost Canyons Golf Course for brunch. It was a beautiful morning to relax and socialize on the eating terrace before heading back into Moorpark on this 31 mile bike route. To see a few photos from Ron V. just click on "Lost Canyons Photos."

-A Ride Down the Coast-

Anytime we bike down the Pacific Coast we are always grateful for living in Southern California and especially Ventura County. The group had a beautiful ride from Camarillo's Mission Oaks Community Park past Cal State Channel Islands to Pacific Coast Highway. No whales or dolphins were spotted, but we did have a wonderful break at our destination at Neptune's Net. We had at least 16 riders join us today on this very flat 41 mile ride. Thanks to Ron V. for his photo album of the "Neptunes Net Photos."

-Chinatown Firecracker 30 Miler-

Charity bike rides are great. Especially when they don't cost very much, have a t-shirt included, have lunch provided, have a fun but challenging route that is manned with volunteers at all of the important road intersections. So it was with the Chinatown Firecracker 30 Mile bike ride. Over 800 bikers participated this year as well as five Moorpark Riders. The generally feeling was that this ride is well worth your time, if you do not expect to bike fast. Due to some of the tough hills in Elysian Park, Griffith Park, great photo opportunities and many beginner bikers it was difficult to get a consistently fast pace. But, what the heck, it was fun biking by Dodger Stadium, Disney Studios, ABC Studios, Tuloca Lake, University City, Los Angeles River and Chinatown. Click on "Firecracker Photos" to view the selection of photos from our iphone.

-North Ranch Windy Ride-

Well, even though it is not raining the weather became a little windy on this "North Ranch Loop" on Saturday from Moorpark. However, the winds did not detour our mighty group of 12 riders that completed the 31 miler into Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Oak Park before stopping at the Coffee Bean for a refuel in Sunset Hills. Wind or not, it is always great to ride your bike in the eastern part of Ventura County. Come join us for a ride soon, and remember to bring a friend. Thanks to our newbie rider, Mike L. for submitting this photo of "the ladies."