Tag: ventura

Grab On Brkake Lever Grips – 3rd Month Review

I have had the Grab On Grips on the Roadeo for 3 months now and a follow-up review is due.  The original review was favorable, and at this point I would still list them as a keepers.

They have been a nice touch of comfort on long cold descents.  When underbiking, skinny tires on dirt, more time is spent on the brakes than would be comparable to a full suspension mountain bike.  The little bit of added padding and grip eases the finger and hand fatigue on the multi thousand foot fire roads coming down from the mountains. Even with powerful brakes this can get tiring after 30 minutes or more of constant feathering of the brakes. 

The durability is better than I expected for these simple thin foam rubber grips.  Bumping into things, leaning against walls and a couple of minor lay downs in the dirt and no rips or tears yet.  I still have my doubts that they will out live the bar tape, but for the couple of bucks they cost I would say it was money well spent. 

I have enjoyed them through the cool winter, next follow-up will be after a few months of warm weather sweat.

High Pressure – Out Late

I ended up sleeping in a little this morning.  Thankfully the slightly longer mornings and the unseasonable weather made for some wonderful light.

Headed up the coast a bit for a quick loop.  The coastal range acts as a shield from the local mountain winds.  A byproduct of the high pressure dominating our local weather is the wind that comes with it, 30-40 mph gusts my late morning.  The wind it the price we pay for 45 deg mornings and 65 deg afternoons in the middle of winter.

Stopping on the way back to enjoy the view of the islands.

and then time to get home and back to work.

Monday Blues

It is not my intent to make all of you living east of the rockies in a block of ice feel too bad, but we are lucky out here.  If it makes you feel better I will admit that it was almost 50deg and I needed to werar gloves.

I love living here – Happy Monday

Canada Larga Road – Spoiled?

I will admit we are pretty spoiled here with the mountains and ocean back to back. Topping it off you can get into open ranch country just a few miles out-of-town. This morning I made the quick ride out to Canada Larga Rd. Only 7 miles from the house and I can be on empty country roads,

Right after this shot a coyote crossed the road, by the time had grabbed my other camera it had joined the rest of the pack on the hill,

Then the climbing begins, nothing terrible, but fun steady rollers perfect for a quick workout.

This is an amazing natural resource made accessible by a county road.  Paving conditions are terrible, but the views make up for it, it is also a good reason to ride fatter tires.

Access extends back almost 4 miles.  The region is very popular with birders, as many uncommon species migrate and nest here.  I have been privileged on more than one chilly morning to see pairs of raptors hunting.  Time was tight this morning and I only made it a couple of miles back before turning around.

Then the payoff for the climbing begins, spinning 50×13 the whole way back to the river trail.

While open and somewhat wild for the moment, this land is becoming an economic and environmental battle ground.  The valley and over 800 acres of land that is currently part of the  County of Ventura is possibly going to be annexed into the city and re-zoned for the development of mini mansions (equestrian ranches and executive homes).  The most recent vote by the city council pushed this out further, spending more money to determine if this makes any sence.  Bringing this region into the city will incur the burden of police and fire protection as well as all other city services.  It is sad to see the city bowing to the allure of quick money, hopefully common sense will prevail.  You can read more  about the last council meeting here, Ventua Hillside Preservation Blog.

I hope that by sharing my pictures and video to expose the natural beauty of the valley that it may help in bringing attention to the preservation of one of this regions more butifal and accessible open areas.