There is a lot of chatter about the air quality in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. I have stopped smelling the smoke 36 hours ago but some may be more sensitive than I. Also, Danno's report that Santa Maria was smoky somewhat surprised me and leads me to believe that parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties may have pockets of smoke. If planning rides in this area, the following links may be helpful. Anybody living in Santa Barbara county, your comments are quite appreciated. Especially if you live on the top of Gibraltar :D
Anybody know the air quality north of Ojai on Highway 33?
Santa Barbara
http://dasdata1.sbcapcd.org/StationSummary.aspx
Particulate matter is available at some of their stations and updated hourly. PM2.5 > 40 or PM10 > 150 are considered unhealthy for sensitive people.
Ventura
http://www.vcapcd.org/index.htm
http://www.vcapcd.org/Forecast.aspx
Only some of the stations report the (combined) particulate matter and anything over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive people.
herbm
10-26-07, 08:01 AM
Thanks Jim....
Looking good along the Ventura coast....
dirtbikedude
10-26-07, 08:21 AM
Another good site that I use to check air quality is this one
Looks like the quality is getting better so I just might get to check out a new route (to me at least).
DBD:beer:
MarkAJ
10-26-07, 10:17 AM
Looks like I and another are going to ride Oxnard to Summerland or SB planning on using the Casitas Pass Road 150 to 192 and so forth. Glad to have anyone along if you want to join in. I ride at my own pace (not to fast-not to slow)and I am totally self-supported. I plan to stop for some lunch in Summerland or SB. I am looking at 60-75 miles with about 4,000 feet of climbing. (And I am just guessing here, could be more could be less.) Take off about 8:30-9am.
herbm
10-26-07, 10:47 AM
Looks like I and another are going to ride Oxnard to Summerland or SB planning on using the Casitas Pass Road 150 to 192 and so forth. Glad to have anyone along if you want to join in. I ride at my own pace (not to fast-not to slow)and I am totally self-supported. I plan to stop for some lunch in Summerland or SB. I am looking at 60-75 miles with about 4,000 feet of climbing. (And I am just guessing here, could be more could be less.) Take off about 8:30-9am.
I believe we are rolling from here
Mission Parking Lot at 100 E.Main Street, Ventura
JustMe
10-26-07, 10:48 AM
By "another" I presume you're referring to Herb. Where do you plan on leaving from Mark?
Crash716
10-26-07, 10:55 AM
there is some good info in there...my gosh i am over the trainer.
MarkAJ
10-26-07, 10:57 AM
Yes, Herb is gong to drive so take off will be the Mission Parking Lot. If you live on the way maybe we can pick you up, if you are so inclined.
JustMe
10-26-07, 11:10 AM
Thanks for the invite Mark, but I'm far enough out of your way it would'nt be very convenient for you guys. I'll meet you out there though if I can figure out how to get to the start location from the northern route thru Santa Paula. I have room for another as well, so if anyone wants to car pool it, give a shout.
herbm
10-26-07, 11:19 AM
Thanks for the invite Mark, but I'm far enough out of your way it would'nt be very convenient for you guys. I'll meet you out there though if I can figure out how to get to the start location from the northern route thru Santa Paula. I have room for another as well, so if anyone wants to car pool it, give a shout.
We usually go 126...but not so sure how things are up there...so might go 101
big john
10-26-07, 01:25 PM
I believe we are rolling from here
Mission Parking Lot at 100 E.Main Street, Ventura
Herb, some SFVBC riders are leaving there at 8:15. Not sure if I am going, or not.
big john
10-26-07, 01:26 PM
Thanks for the invite Mark, but I'm far enough out of your way it would'nt be very convenient for you guys. I'll meet you out there though if I can figure out how to get to the start location from the northern route thru Santa Paula. I have room for another as well, so if anyone wants to car pool it, give a shout.Gene, if you take the 126, just merge with the 101 and exit California Street, right to Main, then left.
Mr. Beanz
10-26-07, 01:27 PM
Yes, Herb is gong to drive so take off will be the Mission Parking Lot. If you live on the way maybe we can pick you up, if you are so inclined.
Guys are 36, 42 and need to ride with smilin Bob? That's not good at all!:p
scvroadie
10-26-07, 01:38 PM
I'll keep my eyes open for everyone. Irene, Jane and myself are starting from Santa Paula at 8:00, climbing 150 to Ojai and over Casitas, then on to Summerland Cafe and probably back the same way, depending on weather & air quality. I think total mileage and elevation both ways is about 90 miles and 7,000+ ft of climbing. Join in if you want to, we park behind the Carls Jr. in Santa Paula.
Rick@OCRR
10-26-07, 02:05 PM
Hi Lee,
Please advise an address I can Mapquest! Maria and I are thinking about driving out for this ride, but I need to know exactly where we'd be starting. An address / road / city and zip if possible.
Plus . . . thanks for your help at checkpoints #2 and #5 on the Fall Solvang Double!
Rick / OCRR
MarkAJ
10-26-07, 02:11 PM
Guys are 36, 42 and need to ride with smilin Bob? That's not good at all!:p
Hay! Aren’t you supposed to be working? Don’t you have a day job now?
BTW: I was 42 some 14 years ago. And you don’t want to hear about that time period because that was when every thing started going down hill, i.e. I had to start wearing glasses, things hurt when I woke up in the mornings and BM’s moved up to second priority.
Mr. Beanz
10-26-07, 02:23 PM
Hay! Aren’t you supposed to be working?
Off till Monday! ...........We're taking the parents out for lobster tomorrow night. So depending on how much I eat, I just may end up riding with Smiling Bob on Sunday!:D
herbm
10-26-07, 02:37 PM
I'll keep my eyes open for everyone. Irene, Jane and myself are starting from Santa Paula at 8:00, climbing 150 to Ojai and over Casitas, then on to Summerland Cafe and probably back the same way, depending on weather & air quality. I think total mileage and elevation both ways is about 90 miles and 7,000+ ft of climbing. Join in if you want to, we park behind the Carls Jr. in Santa Paula.
Look for me...Mark and I are starting in Ventura then up Casitas...down to summerland...maybe to SB then back..wave as you pass!!
herbm
10-26-07, 02:39 PM
Herb, some SFVBC riders are leaving there at 8:15. Not sure if I am going, or not.
Oh I thinks thats the group Vance was telling me about...they are probably too fast for me....
But if you are looking for an easy pace (for you:rolleyes:) you are most welcome to join us...
herbm
10-26-07, 02:41 PM
Off till Monday! ...........We're taking the parents out for lobster tomorrow night. So depending on how much I eat, I just may end up riding with Smiling Bob on Sunday!:D
Oh wait...Mr B's buying lobster...I may have to postpone my ride to chow with him!!!:p
scvroadie
10-26-07, 02:42 PM
Hi Lee,
Please advise an address I can Mapquest! Maria and I are thinking about driving out for this ride, but I need to know exactly where we'd be starting. An address / road / city and zip if possible.
Plus . . . thanks for your help at checkpoints #2 and #5 on the Fall Solvang Double!
Rick / OCRR
Rick,
The address is 230 E Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula. Take the Palm Ave. exit off of 126, then just turn in the first driveway north of the freeway.
Mr. Beanz
10-26-07, 02:49 PM
Oh wait...Mr B's buying lobster...I may have to postpone my ride to chow with him!!!:p
Come on down Herbie! But I guarantee you will feel like heck on Sunday's ride!:p
JustMe
10-26-07, 03:13 PM
Gene, if you take the 126, just merge with the 101 and exit California Street, right to Main, then left.
Thank you John.
Rick@OCRR
10-26-07, 03:18 PM
Rick,
The address is 230 E Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula. Take the Palm Ave. exit off of 126, then just turn in the first driveway north of the freeway.
Thanks Lee!
I will run a Mapquest on it, then consult with Maria!
Rick / OCRR
JustMe
10-26-07, 03:21 PM
. . . . BTW: I was 42 some 14 years ago. And you don’t want to hear about that time period because that was when every thing started going down hill, . . . .
Mark, haven't your heard. . . . . . . . 60 is the new 40. Your not there yet.
vertical bob
10-26-07, 07:20 PM
I'll keep my eyes open for everyone. Irene, Jane and myself are starting from Santa Paula at 8:00, climbing 150 to Ojai and over Casitas, then on to Summerland Cafe and probably back the same way, depending on weather & air quality. I think total mileage and elevation both ways is about 90 miles and 7,000+ ft of climbing. Join in if you want to, we park behind the Carls Jr. in Santa Paula.Lee, keep a look out for Laura and I, we are coming up from Ventura on 33 headed for Pine Mtn. That would give you a lot more challenging ride.:)
zzzwillzzz
10-26-07, 08:53 PM
Herb, some SFVBC riders are leaving there at 8:15. Not sure if I am going, or not.
john, if you're going i'm looking for someone to carpool with
LT Intolerant
10-26-07, 08:55 PM
..Anybody living in Santa Barbara county, your comments are quite appreciated. Especially if you live on the top of Gibraltar...
I live in Santa Barbara and while the air quality was questionable Monday-Wednesday, it has improved dramatically in the last 2 days. I climbed Gib byesterday and today and while there is a thin layer of smog enveloping S Barbara as seen from above, it looks no worse that your typical day in the LA area.
I've also been checking the air quality readings on the SB Air Pollution Control District's site and the numbers look pretty reasonable for riding.
http://dasdata1.sbcapcd.org/StationSummary.aspx
Hope that helps.
gene r
umd
10-26-07, 09:58 PM
I rode about 50 miles around SB today, air was fine... much better than earlier in the week.
thomson
10-27-07, 06:32 AM
^^ Thanks for the updates Gene and Steve
big john
10-27-07, 04:51 PM
I went up to Casitas Pass and the air was fine, even had a little rain. One of the guys was sick and wanted to turn back, so I went with him, as did another guy. We saw scvroadie,(Lee), and Irene and Jane on our way back. My legs felt fine but I was still having trouble breathing deeply and back pain, so I didn't want to push it.
JustMe
10-27-07, 06:34 PM
What a great day at the beach. Herb, Mark and I met at Ventura with perfect weather forecasted to romp up hwy 33 to 150, over Casitas Pass down to 192, and up to Summerland for lunch. You know the forecast, 68 degrees, morning fog along the coast yielding to broken clouds late morning with a 20% chance of rain. So Vertical Bob dropped by to say hi at the parking lot before departing for Pine Mtn. with a couple others, and Herb, Mark and I got under way under the presumption that a 20% chance of rain means no chance at all (when has it ever rained with a 20% probability), and that the arm warmers would probably come off at least by the time we started over Casitas Pass.
Well here we are 1.58 miles into the morning, and 21 ft. below sea level, changing a flat tire.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0047m.jpg
But all was not lost. We made it to Casitas Pass with a light rain starting to fall on and off. Not enough to get the road wet. . . . . . . . yet.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0050s.jpg
And Lake Casitas was beautiful with a light mist provided by ole mother nature.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0051s.jpg
Dropping down the west slope, the weather started to pick up a little, and in typical fashion, the temp started to drop a few degrees as we crested the west pass. Despite the slight inconveniences of a little rain, we continued on up to Summerland for lunch at the sandwich shop, after which we headed bact to Ventura via the coast route with Mark taking every opportunity to plead a climb back up Casitas Pass to no avail.
So, with one more stop; . . . why is Herb smiling? . . .
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0054s.jpg
We continued back to Ventura without further interruption to conclude a great day at the beach.
merider1
10-27-07, 06:42 PM
Nice pics, Gene! Glad you boys had fun and it is so great to hear the air is clearing! :)
vertical bob
10-27-07, 07:28 PM
I wasn't the only one who tought to go to Ventura to escape the smoke today the air seemed fine all day. The Mission parking lot was full of riders from L.A. Several friends from SFVBC, and saw Gene, Herb, and Mark. On the way through Ojai we saw Lee, Irene, and Jane coming over from Santa Paula.
Our ride to Pine Mtn was good but it was spitting rain the whole way. When almost to Wolfe's restaraunt it did start to rain and being 40 miles from the car and at 4000ft we decided to turn back. It never really rained but I didn't feel like getting trapped up there and neither did Laura and Karen. Only got 5500ft because of that which makes that the flattest long ride I've done in 6 years. Oh well, make up for it tomorrow. It did bring back to mind how truely hard Sea to Summit is. We didn't even do half of it today:o
pv0463
10-27-07, 10:02 PM
Rode from Westlake Village (around Westlake Lake), then onto Potrero road/Hidden Valley into Newbury Park. Off and on light drizzle turned to a rather steady shower by the time I got home. Considering it washed out all the crap from the air, I guess it was ok, even though I was drenched. Felt really good to get out.
I then went to the golf course to hit some balls and guess what? got drenched again!
herbm
10-27-07, 11:02 PM
OMG..that first pix of me is terrible.....
But we did have a great time....nice cool weather....but could have done without the drizzle...
The only other people I saw were 3 SFVBC people heading towards Carpenteria, as well headed towards Summerland....
How could we be below sea level at that point??? that cant be right...
Mr. Beanz
10-27-07, 11:10 PM
OMG..that first pix of me is terrible.....
But we did have a great time....nice cool weather....but could have done without the drizzle...
The only other people I saw were 3 SFVBC people heading towards Carpenteria, as well headed towards Summerland....
How could we be below sea level at that point??? that cant be right...
Looks like you guys had a great time. Nice pics too! I rode the Sart today alone as Gina's not feeling too well. It drizzled on me the first 20 miles of my ride. I need a new wardrobe consultant. Gina said it would be warm and suggested a tank top for the ride. Uhhh, I was a lil wet!:p
scvroadie
10-28-07, 08:12 AM
I went up to Casitas Pass and the air was fine, even had a little rain. One of the guys was sick and wanted to turn back, so I went with him, as did another guy. We saw scvroadie,(Lee), and Irene and Jane on our way back. My legs felt fine but I was still having trouble breathing deeply and back pain, so I didn't want to push it.
John,
When we saw you I was thinking that you guys were really pushing it to have already climbed Casitas and already heading back. We had seen VB, a few minutes earlier, so I was surpried to see the 3 of you coming from that direction.
scvroadie
10-28-07, 08:25 AM
Irene, Jane & I started in Santa Paula, rode through Ojai, saw VB, Karen & Laura, heading the opposite way for their climb up 33. We continued on to Summerland, via Casitas Pass.
Herb, I thought we would see you, but I guess the flat slowed you guys down and you were behind us. Judging by your pictures the rain we ran into heading into Summerland, is what was hitting you on Casitas.
We then had lunch at the Summerland Cafe. Herb, what sandwich shop in Summerland did you stop at?
After lunch we headed back to Santa Paula via Casitas again, it was tougher the second time. Then just as we started to get to Santa Paula, it started raining again. Aside from the rain, the weather was perfect, no headwinds, cloud cover and temps in the mid-60s. Total mileage 89, with about 6500 ft of climbing. Not quite an epic day according to VB standards.
JustMe
10-28-07, 09:33 AM
OMG..that first pix of me is terrible.....
. . .
How could we be below sea level at that point??? that cant be right...
Things aren't always what they appear to be.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0047m1.jpg
herbm
10-28-07, 09:47 AM
Irene, Jane & I started in Santa Paula, rode through Ojai, saw VB, Karen & Laura, heading the opposite way for their climb up 33. We continued on to Summerland, via Casitas Pass.
Herb, I thought we would see you, but I guess the flat slowed you guys down and you were behind us. Judging by your pictures the rain we ran into heading into Summerland, is what was hitting you on Casitas.
We then had lunch at the Summerland Cafe. Herb, what sandwich shop in Summerland did you stop at?
After lunch we headed back to Santa Paula via Casitas again, it was tougher the second time. Then just as we started to get to Santa Paula, it started raining again. Aside from the rain, the weather was perfect, no headwinds, cloud cover and temps in the mid-60s. Total mileage 89, with about 6500 ft of climbing. Not quite an epic day according to VB standards.
We were going to ride to SB, but with rain we decided to turn at Summerland...we ate at the little burger place across the street...it was really good!
awiner
10-28-07, 11:09 AM
Rode from Westlake Village (around Westlake Lake), then onto Potrero road/Hidden Valley into Newbury Park. Off and on light drizzle turned to a rather steady shower by the time I got home. Considering it washed out all the crap from the air, I guess it was ok, even though I was drenched. Felt really good to get out.
I then went to the golf course to hit some balls and guess what? got drenched again!
Hey PV, are you from Westlake Village ?
herbm
10-29-07, 01:07 PM
Irene, Jane & I started in Santa Paula, rode through Ojai, saw VB, Karen & Laura, heading the opposite way for their climb up 33. We continued on to Summerland, via Casitas Pass.
Herb, I thought we would see you, but I guess the flat slowed you guys down and you were behind us. Judging by your pictures the rain we ran into heading into Summerland, is what was hitting you on Casitas.
We then had lunch at the Summerland Cafe. Herb, what sandwich shop in Summerland did you stop at?
After lunch we headed back to Santa Paula via Casitas again, it was tougher the second time. Then just as we started to get to Santa Paula, it started raining again. Aside from the rain, the weather was perfect, no headwinds, cloud cover and temps in the mid-60s. Total mileage 89, with about 6500 ft of climbing. Not quite an epic day according to VB standards.
What time did you guys have lunch?
scvroadie
10-29-07, 02:09 PM
What time did you guys have lunch?
I wan't looking at my watch, but I think with my ride time around 11:30.
herbm
10-29-07, 02:53 PM
I wan't looking at my watch, but I think with my ride time around 11:30.
Wow...we must have just missed you....we arrived at lunch at 11:45