11/20/16 - Sisar / Nordhoff / Gridley

Mere Mortals: Be ready to ride at 8:00 a,m.

Summit Elementary School
12525 Ojai/Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023

Superheroes: Be ready to ride at 8:45 a.m.

Ojai Ranger Station
1190 E. Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023

 

Are you sure about the times? That is a huge head start.

 

On his FB invite:

• Sunday at 8 AM
  2 days from now · 46–66° Rain
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  Ojai, California
  
  
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  Invited by Jeff Johansen
  

I have organized this ride several times in the past, and it has been a way for riders of mixed abilities to enjoy what I would describe as a 'mini-epic' ride together on one of my favorite rides.

We will actually start out in two different groups. One group will begin at Sisar School in Upper Ojai at 8:00 a.m. and begin the 9 mile 3,400' foot ascent up the Sisar fire road to Sisar saddle. The second group will begin 45 minutes later (@ 8:45 a.m.) from the Ranger Station in Ojai.

This can work well if a superhero drops off some mere mortals at Sisar School before heading down to the Ranger Station so the mere mortals won't need to get shuttled back to Sisar School afterward, but there may be a few that need... See More

 

That is a huge gap, it's 45 minutes plus whatever time it takes the super heroes to ride from the Ranger Station to the school. Somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes I'd guess.
Fine with me but let's change the ride name to "Racers & Chasers"

 

The gap seems kinda generous but OK I'll play along.
So the shuttle happens at the beginning. I don't mind dropping off peeps at the school if needed.

 

Whoops, sorry, thought I put that in the last post.

Mere Mortals: Ride at 8:00 a.m.

Summit Elementary School
12525 Ojai/Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023

Superheroes: Ride at 8:45 a.m.

Ojai Ranger Station
1190 E. Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023

Keeping an eye on the weather. A couple days ago, it wasn't supposed to rain until Sunday evening. Current forecast calls for chance of rain to go from 10% at noon to 60% at 1 p.m. I have a call in to a good friend that was an MTB guide in Ojai to find out what Gridley is like if it rains. Much of the area is DG (Sisar and Nordhoff) and holds up very well in the rain. Just not sure about Gridley in particular. At the time we are riding, this will be cutting it very close.

I'm not at all skurred of a lil' rain, but thinking of bumping up the start time by an hour to make sure we avoid a mud slog. I'll make the final call Saturday evening, but hope to keep it where it is.

The good news is we won't need to lug a ton of water up the hill since temps will be cool to cold.

I have been riding this area since the late 90's and have planned this ride several times. I am trying to prevent anyone having to wait at the saddle for too long and it only takes a half hour or so to get from the ranger station to Summit School (about 6 miles) and very strong riders can climb Sisar in an hour and twenty or so to maybe two hours. It will take me a good two and a half hours to climb Sisar by itself.

EDIT: Just got the word that most of Gridley handles rain pretty well with the exception of a couple of spots. I'll still keep an eye out to make sure the forecast hasn't changed.

 

Bummer I will watch the weather too. Not going to drive 1:45 to ride in the rain. Hope it changes.

 

I can appreciate that.

I am hoping we can get it done before the rain hits. One good thing about this area is that it handles rain better than most places in case we happen to get it on the way down. From the RSVP's, it looks like we have a pretty solid group of riders (I'll probably be the slowest), so we should be able to keep it moving once I drag my carcass to the top of Sisar. IME, you can always ride back down Sisar while it's raining if it hits early.

 

1/4" rain forecast in the afternoon. Pencil us in!

 

There are a few of us that will be starting from the Ranger Station @ 8AM. We are planning on doing the Superhero route just not at Storm Trooper pace. We will be riding at a conversation pace but also want to try and beat the afternoon forecast for rain.

 

Bit last minute I know, but I'm keen. Just trying to move some stuff around but would be great to join you guys if I can! Will confirm once I know.

 

Wait for me!

 

HAH! @Voodoo Tom and I were just discussing this as well. We would like to start at the Ranger Station at 8:00am as well and climb Sisar and maybe do Red Reef, climb back to the saddle and then cruise over to and drop Gridley. Anyone up for that?

 

I'm down for that. But somewhere along our trek up the mountain we will regroup with @Daddy Dirtbag so we can descend all together like one big happy disfunctional family?

 

EXACTLY!

 

Here's Red Reef. Looks like you'd repeat about 4 miles of the FR climb and 2 miles to get to the DH. Add about 2000 feet of climbing.

https://www.strava.com/activities/561424073
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We can do all that and still get to the top of Sisar at the same time?

 

You're right Ed, I don't see adding that many miles and still getting to the saddle at anywhere close the same time. When Mikie & I were talking earlier I didn't realize he was talking about starting from the ranger station and still hitting Red Reef. That would be a monster of a day that I'd guestimate at about 40 & 7000'. We could start from the school and do the red reef loop and climb back up to the saddle but I still think we would have to start before 8am.

 

I can comfortably pick up four riders at the ranger station and bring them to the school provided someone brings me back to my truck after lunch.

 

Where's lunch? Didnt we do Mexican, further into town, last time?
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I can do that...

 

Are you trying to get out of the road ride?

 

@MTBHotRod expressed interest in the Ojai Beverage Company.

 

oh, I thought he was bringing them to the school after the ride.

 

Not at all. There was interest in doing Red Reef so I was offering an option.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...f1bafea335e24!8m2!3d34.4479661!4d-119.2392973

 

Just messing with you Ed.

 

That's where I'll be at lunch nah time.

 

Only a couple of blocks from the ranger station.

 

Any idea if anyone is riding from the School? ( besides jeff and me?)