Dennison Park Overnighter (Paved & Gravel Road Options)

We're heading to Dennison Park in Ojai for another overnighter. Our group has been to this campground several times via bike paths and paved roads through Ventura and Ojai-- which we will do again. But this time, we'll also have the option to take the gravel road and enter Dennison Park from the opposite direction. You choose-- either paved or gravel.
We will all return together via a different route (via Santa Paula)

ROUTE
We will start at the southern end of San Buenaventura State Beach and ride the Ventura Beach Bike Trail to where the Ojai Valley Bike Trail begins. There we will stop at a Von's to purchase food for dinner at Dennison Park. (The paved road group has the option of not purchasing food until they reach Ojai.) Then we will go on the Ojai Valley Bike Path until about the 10-mile mark. At that point, the Paved Road group and the Gravel Road group will diverge.

PAVED OPTION (See Route)
You (the Paved Road group) continue on the Ojai Valley Bike Path into Ojai. This group may opt to go to Von's in Ojai to get their dinner supplies for camp (instead of the Von's in Ventura). You will also stop for lunch somewhere (if desired). Then you'll continue through Ojai, after which you'll do a short 1-mile climb; you can stop half-way up for a scenic vista of the town of Ojai. Once you reach the top, you'll be at Dennison Park, where you'll camp for the evening. Full mileage for the day is 22 miles.

GRAVEL OPTION (See Route)
Once you (the Gravel Road group) diverge from the larger group, you'll climb Sulphur Mountain Road, which is a scenic gravel road with great vistas toward Ventura and the ocean. We'll stop for lunch somewhere on the ride, consuming the lunch which you packed or bought at Von's earlier. Nearer to Dennison Park, the road will become paved and give you a good descent down to the road which will lead you to where you'll camp for the evening. Full mileage for the day will be 28 miles.

RETURN ROUTE (See Route)
The following morning, the whole group will head east and stop by the Summit Cafe for breakfast/brunch. Then we'll do a pleasant descent into Santa Paula, and then head back to Ventura and our original starting point. This day will take 31 miles, which includes the 5-mile descent.

SMALL DETAILS
There are bathrooms and water at the campsite, but no showers. There are fire rings, but we'll have to wait for that week to find out if we can have a fire. Cost is $10. This covers the cost of the campsite. Any extra will be used to cover the cost of maintaining this meetup site.

MEETING POINT
We'll meet at 11 AM at the south end of San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro Street, Ventura, CA 93002) where the Ventura Beach Bike Trail begins. This is the gate for the parking for the state beach. If you go about a hundred feet down the bike trail, you'll get to the restrooms and nearby picnic table. We'll meet there.
You can find street parking on Pierpont Blvd., the road that extends from the gate of the park (or other adjacent streets). You can park overnight there.
Amtrak Option: If you want to take the Amtrak to Ventura from the LA direction, it will arrive at 11:06. You can wait there and join when the group rides by between 11:15 and 11:30.

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Disclaimer: This bike-touring/camping group ride is a meeting of like-minded people gathering for a time of fun and social interaction. No organizational responsibility is implied in the creation of this ride. Upon registering for this event, you acknowledge that participation in the event is done out of your own risk and you accept responsibility for your own safety.