Ojai Century
 

Hello out there... I was wondering if anyone had done the Ojai Century or was planning on riding it this year? It's happening May 31. What's it like? the ride route? organization? sag? does it attract many riders? how does it compare to other centuries? Any information you could provide would be helpful. My riding partner and I are thinking about registering, but we'd like to know a little more about the event.

Thanks in advance

It's on my schedule as 'tentative'.

I rode this last year. Have not done Solvang so can't compare, but overall feel this would be comparable (from what I've heard about Solvang), and I would compare it to the rides I have done...Cool Breeze, Wildflower and Lighthouse Centuries (although did the CB Double Metric). Have you done these?

Ojai is a great ride, small # of riders, well organized, good support, etc. If the route is the same (I think it will be), you will climb around Lake Casitas (not real hard), and then have a long/but not real steep climb from Santa Paula back to Ojai (about 18 miles with 2/3 or so being climbing). Again not a steep climb, just a long gradual thing.............it is the LAST part of the ride though so at mile 82 or so, you get this 14+mile climb

I will be signing up as well.

If I'm foolish enough to sign up for the Grand Tour Double century, the double metric here would be a good training ride for that. Tenative.

You're foolish enough...:D

make that a big IF

IF you ride the Ojai Century? Nah...you can still do the GT double without this ride as training. :D

ive ridden it but ive never signed up for it.

In general, the route is good, though the out and back up Wheeler Cyn. to make sufficient miles could be done without. SAG stops were so-so a couple years ago, but they had a good post ride meal. Not a lot of riders, but it has been 2 years since riding it, and the ride organization was taken over by a new entity last year. If it looks like it is going to be a hot day, I suggest getting an early start to avoid the heat over Casitas Pass, and take it easy on the return from Santa Paula to Ojai over 150. Kind of a catch 22. There is more shade on hwy 150 the later it gets in the day. Have a good ride.

Thanks Raiderdave and everyone else who's responded so far. Yeah, I know it's one of the newer centuries, but wasn't sure about the ride itself. I have heard that it gets really hot during the ride. What was your experience regarding the weather? Thanks again

If you want to go for a Century a few weeks earlier, there is Cruising the Conejo. Very well supported, tons of riders and many different ride options.

www.cvcbike.org for information.

Sheldon

it will be 90+ in may. if not hotter. it was 106 for a few weeks last summer.

Heat was NOT an issue last year at all. Obviuosly this year could be different, but the air is clean, the area is 100% beautiful, and like last year we willl be starting as early as the ride allows so I'm not worried.

Besides after doing the 2007 Wildflower (about 1 month earlier than Ojai) where the temp hit 110 degrees in April:eek::mad::(, no heat was going to cause me pause. That was by far the most miserable 50 miles (the last 50) I've ever had. 3 flats all because my tires and brain were melting.

Is there a web site or a link forthe Ojai Century?

I googled but couldn't really find anything for it

Thanks

Thanks. .:beer:
I must have been blind. I get the Western ride Calendar. For some reason I kept looking at May 16.

Thanks again to all who responded! Just signed up, so we'll see how it goes. Hammer will be down!