Saturday Ride Hwy 33 ventura north to 166 then 5

[zzkenoman]

CANCELLED BECAUSE 33 IS STILL BEING CLEARED FROM THE MUD SLIDE.

Ok, Anyone want to join me from Orange County? I'd like to leave about 7am from south orange county and get up to ventura where hwy 33 begins. However I absolutely don't know how those roads are, and maybe someone can clue me in. I'd like to ride the length of hwy 33 all the way up to hwy 166, east to hwy 5, south thru the grapevine, 210 east to 57, and home. I would like some company with me since I don't know that area. Any takers saturday? newbie 06'ers?

 

[tcfjr]

The 166 from Maricopa to I-5 is one desolate, smelly stretch of oil pumps. There's a couple of options which add more fun and cut the mileage somewhat - I can highly recommend either of them.

Option 1: Go north on SR-33 to Lockwood Valley Rd, and turn east. You'll get good scenery, some nice high-speed sweepers, and the occassional full-on twistie. Sometimes you'll have shallow (1/2" deep) stream crossings, but I've never had a problem with them.

Option 2: Go north on SR-33 to SR-166, then northeast and SR-166 for 4.5 miles to Cerro Noreste Rd. Lockwood Valley has more sweepers than twisties, but Cerro Noroeste has more twisties than sweepers. Great views of the condor sanctuary, and very little traffic any day. After a while the name changes to Mil Potrero Hwy, then it changes again to Cuddy Valley Rd, but there's no turns involved. 35 miles after leaving SR-166, you'll hit Lockwood Valley Rd.

For either option, continue through Frazier Park to the I-5.

Lockwood Valley:

Cerro Noroeste:

 

[twowheelnut]

I'll make a couple of points here:

ZZ, gas up in Ojai at the 76 station on 33 just as you turn off of 150. There are two gas stations on 33 between Lockwood Valley and 166 - they'll be outré pricey. If you go via Lockwood Valley, be aware that there are several stream crossings involved. One or two of them will surely have water of at least 6" in depth due to the recent rains. If you see the 'Flooded' placards in place, slow down to a crawl, cuz there will be a stream to cross for sure. CalTrans will post a 'Road Closed' sign as you enter from 33 if the road is impassable.

If you do go Cerro Noreste Rd., be aware that the only gas station in Pine Mountain has been closed for many months, so you'll have to gas up in Frazier Park or Maricopa if you go the opposite way. In any event, this is one bitchin' road to ride!

Careful on 33 in the corners. There will be a lot of gravel and sand. The gravel is particulary sharp and will hole your tires - don't ask me how I know... :angry: But most of the pavement is new and the road is fast. Here's a link to a 33 video I did a few months back:



You may wanna email Ojai Roy and see if he's busy Saturday: OjaiRoy AT sbcglobal DOT net

Wish I were free Saturday, otherwise I'd join you. Have fun!

 

[zzkenoman]

I'll make a couple of points here:
ZZ, gas up in Ojai at the 76 station on 33 just as you turn off of 150.  There are two gas stations on 33 between Lockwood Valley and 166 - they'll be outré pricey.  If you go via Lockwood Valley, be aware that there are several stream crossings involved.  One or two of them will surely have water of at least 6" in depth due to the recent rains.  If you see the 'Flooded' placards in place, slow down to a crawl, cuz there will be a stream to cross for sure.  CalTrans will post a 'Road Closed' sign as you enter from 33 if the road is impassable.

If you do go Cerro Noreste Rd., be aware that the only gas station in Pine Mountain has been closed for many months, so you'll have to gas up in Frazier Park or Maricopa if you go the opposite way.  In any event, this is one bitchin' road to ride!

Careful on 33 in the corners.  There will be a lot of gravel and sand.  The gravel is particulary sharp and will hole your tires - don't ask me how I know...  :angry: But most of the pavement is new and the road is fast.  Here's a link to a 33 video I did a few months back: 

DAM IT

SR 33

[LOS ANGELES & VENTURA CO.'S]

IS CLOSED 7.8 MI NORTH OF OJAI (VENTURA CO) - DUE TO A MUD SLIDE -

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE - HOWEVER NO ACCESS TO

ROSE VALLEY

looks like there is no way to get to either of the favored suggestions from ventura. Maybe I should just stick to Santa Barbara for lunch, or is there a casino buffet nearby?

 

[twowheelnut]

Check it again on Friday. They may have it open by then as most of the major slide areas were repaired last year and this may just be a minor one.

You'll have to head over to the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynes for the buffet lunch. You can't miss the buffet line, it's just past the Keno room!

 

[zzkenoman]

Check it again on Friday. They may have it open by then as most of the major slide areas were repaired last year and this may just be a minor one.
You'll have to head over to the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynes for the buffet lunch. You can't miss the buffet line, it's just past the Keno room!

I remember the buffet very well, remember Avila beach ride last year? Thats where me and the wife detoured from the group and stayed at Solvang that night, and at the Casino for the next couple nights. Very nice place, spa and hotel. Going there at the end of this month on the 29th, and posted as a ride here. I'll check again maybe thursday for road conditions.

 

[Effjay]

Check it again on Friday. They may have it open by then as most of the major slide areas were repaired last year and this may just be a minor one.

Today's Ventura County Star stated Hwy 33 would be closed for prox 3 weeks due to mudslide road repairs. This is apparently just above Wheeler Springs.

 

[zzkenoman]

CANCELLED BECAUSE 33 IS STILL BEING CLEARED OF THE MUD SLIDE

 

[twowheelnut]

Hey Larry, here's a shot of the slide from Roy. It's passable, if you wanna run the barriers. Could be workers this Saturday, but I doubt it because of the holiday...

 

[zzkenoman]

posted new ride to castaic lake, will do that ride another weekend in the summer though, or when the roads open up.