95 miles from Ojai to Gaviota, CA through the Backcountry

Growing up in Santa Barbara County I was able to do a lot of exploration by bicycle in our huge backcountry.  One of my go-to rides in high school was from my home on highway 1, up the Nojoqui Grade, into Santa Ynez, up Refugio Pass, along Camino Cielo passing San Marcos Pass and La Cumbre Peak and eventually dropping down the mountains into Santa Barbara or Carpinteria.  This ride would be anywhere from 65 to 70 miles.  I had also ridden a good bit from Santa Barbara up and over the Murietta Divide into Ojai—a ride of about 30-40 miles depending on route.

On June 28^th I was able to fill a long-held goal of connecting these routes by riding from Ojai to Gaviota. The ride was around 95 miles and took just under 12 hours. I'm guessing the elevation gain in total was around 10,000 feet, but I'm still looking for a topo-map program to confirm. It was great to connect the routes and experience the Ojai backcountry, Camino Cielo, and my home all in one day.

Below are photos with a chronology of the day.

My loaded bike ready to go at 3:00 am on the outskirts of Ojai. I left early to beat the heat!

At the top of Murietta Divide (3400 ft), from which the Santa Ynez and Matillija/Ojai Valley watersheds are separated. I was up here by around 5:30 am, which worked well because it was just getting light for the descent towards Jameson Lake. Some super steep climbs just before the Divide.

Jameson Lake at first light. I kept the bear-bell on until sunrise just in case any lions or bears were also out for a morning jaunt.

Incredible view at first light looking west towards the route I'd be traveling on.

A bike-selfie at the Juncal gate. My Ibis was perhaps a bit too much suspension for this ride, but I was happy to have it hitting unexpected ruts in the dark early on and later on in the day as fatigue set in.

Climbing up to Camino Cielo. I kept a pretty slow, but consistent spinning pace throughout the day, only stopping for 5-10 minutes every 2-3 hours to eat something or refill water.

Long shadow in the morning.

Sun was already pretty hot overhead around 6:30 am.

On top of Romero Canyon Trail by 7:15 am. Fog down below in Montecito that didn't do much to cool things off up on Camino Cielo.

Fog, the ocean, and the Channel Islands: Awesome!

La Cumbre (4,000 ft) at 8:30 am. Five hours and about 40 miles into the ride at one of my favorite places in the world!

A shade break after one of the hardest sections climbing up from San Marcos Pass to the “Dragon Spine” on West Camino Cielo. For some reason, at this point in the ride my chain lube seemed to spontaneously disappear—should've brought extra for a ride of this length—and my drivetrain sounded pretty rough from there on.

Just past the broadcast towers at noon above Refugio Pass (4,000 ft) about 70 miles in. Really hot at the point, so not too many photos from the climb. Nearly out of water after refilling my camelbak bladder and two bottles only two hours early at San Marcos Pass. Not too many photos from here on. I tried to keep moving all the way into the Santa Ynez Valley in order to conserve water.

Beautiful view down towards towards Refugio Pass and the Gaviota Coast.

Tired and hot (over 100 degrees at this point) at El Rancho Market, but happy because a text told me I'd be ending my ride at the beach, where my dad would meet me. The ride down from the radio towers was pretty rough, but I was able to keep a lot of speed due to the larger suspension of the bike. Only 15 miles to go!

At Gaviota just before 3:00 pm after riding through Nojoqui Road and down Gaviota Pass. 12 hours since starting and 95 miles later. Definitely my biggest single-day adventure on a mountain bike!

Generally when I finish big rides like this my legs are near cramping and I have a slight headache because of being unable to get enough calories while riding, but the consistent spinning pace and regular eating throughout the day were the key to feeling good at the end of the day—and the amazing views along Camino Cielo helped too!

A quick dip and surf!

Feeling lucky to call Santa Barbara home and have access to areas that allow for adventures and exploration in my backyard.

Thanks to Sean Anderson for the shuttling to Ojai, the Bueti's for their hospitality and of course my dad for the pick up and continuing inspiration for adventures like this one!

Also, thanks for support from these folks too: Ibis Bicycles, Zoic Clothing, and Lake Cycling.