Ojai Valley Trail with Carrie

After laying dormant in the garage for awhile Carrie decided it was time to ride her Catrike Trail. So after doing a tune up on Carrie 's trike we headed out to Ojai for a leisurely ride on the Ojai Valley Trail. Carrie's Trail was tucked away inside the car and my Catrike 700 went on top. Before loading up my 700 I changed out the rear wheel in favor of the trail friendly Kojak/K-Swiss rear wheel. I also threw on the rear rack with small panniers to carry our picnic lunch.

My Catrike 700 on top and Carrie's Catrike Trail tucked into the car.

Cruising the Ojai trial

Crossing the newish bridge

Carrie's back on her Catrike Trail

Plenty of shade along the trail

Beautiful Day

A picnic lunch and then we head home

Riding the Ojai Valley Trail with Carrie was a nice break from riding on the road. If your looking for a  leisurely ride the Ojai Valley Trail is a nice place to start. BUT weekends and holidays can be busy on the trail.

Foster Park to Libbey Park in Ojai and back

MUPing It in Ojai

I decided to change things up a little today. I loaded up my Ford Escape and took a 45 minute drive to Ventura to cruise the Ventura River Trail (VRT) and the Ojai Valley Trail (OVT). The two trails make up a continuous MUP (multi-use path) up into Ojai. The two trails contrast each other dramatically.

Loaded and ready to go.

 Unloaded in Ventura and ready to ride.

The views along the VRT reflects the industrial nature of the area with a long history in oil. This is a clean, well used trail. It's unique in it's post apocalyptic feel along many it's sections. It's only five miles long starting close to the beach before becoming the OVT. Bring a camera for some interesting pics.

Leaving the VRT and entering the OVT for the ride into Ojai.

Entering Foster Park which marks the transition from the VRT to the OVT.

Libbey Park In the town of Ojai. 

Stop at Libbey Park for a picnic before heading back.

 Post apocalypse...not, just a last pic from the VRT on my way back.

 That's all folks!

OVT and the New Bridge

Carrie, Byron and I spent Memorial Day riding the Ojai Valley Trail (OVT) while Leili hung with friends. The OVT is my favorite place to ride with the family. The new bridge over San Antonio Creek adjacent to the Ventura river was completed in March of this year. We started at Foster Park and pedaled the 9 miles up to Ojai for lunch. The 9 miles back to Foster Park from Ojai is as easy and relaxing as it gets.

Our first look at the new bridge.

Byron checking out the bridge. It's a cool bridge and it's long enough to enjoy the ride over it's wood slats before exiting onto the other side of the trail.

Here's the old crossing. Byron is looking out onto the Ventura River from the old crossing over the San Antonio Creek. During the rainy season flooding would often close down this stretch of the OVT for days, if not weeks, after a rain. Taking  busy highway 33 to circumvent this part of the trail and get to Ojai is not a cycling friendly option. 

Carrie following me up the OVT.

A few more pictures of different parts of the OVT.

Oh yes...lunch time at the Ojai Cafe Emporium . The 9 miles back to Foster Pack is easy and involves a lot of coasting so eat up and enjoy a beer. 

We stopped at the bridge on the way back to get another perspective... 

...from below.

 Now the San Antonio Creek flows freely into the Ventura River. Great place to stop and enjoy the shade of the bridge and cool off your feet,

Time to finish our ride back to faster Park and wrap up another great family ride. We missed Leili but she had fun with her friends back home.

Click here for a Visitors guide for Ojai, California. When we stay overnight in Ojai we stay at the Blue Iguana Inn. It's on Highway 33 before you get into town and right next to the Ojai Trail.

The ride on the Ojai Valley Trail when combined with Ventura River Trail starting in Ventura makes for a nice 30 mile round trip. The Ventura River Trail presents a sharp but interesting contrast to the Ojai Valley Trail with it's industrial buildings and old oil wells. Bring your camera!

Go to Ride with GPS-Ojai Trail and Ventura Trail

Ojai Valley Trail

Great Day for a Ride!!!!

Cycling with my son Byron on the Ojai Valley Trail.

Clear and cool autumn day.

Flag by Purple Sky Flags

Sometimes the mind needs a rest from all that's happening around us.

Taking a break.

Picnic time.

Another Fine Day OVT

Ojai Valley Trail

Ventura River from the OVT

Feels like spring.

Cycled the Ojai Valley Trail today. Great ride.

The view from my trike overlooking the Ventura River from the Ojai Valley Trail.

Couldn't resist taking a break and cooling off my feet a bit.

Ojai Bike Path

Cycling the Ojai bike path, California, with the family.