Winter Cycling Camp in Ojai Day 1- Not Just for Triathletes and Cyclists in Los Angeles

TTS Cycling Camp Clients at SAG vehicle refueling in Santa Barbara

Let’s get it right out there.  We had over 30 clients attend our Winter Cycling Camp in Ojai.  In the mountains, perched next to Santa Barbara and just 45 min from Los Angeles, triathletes and cyclists were able to fly into LAX or depart directly from the greater Ventura County, Orange County and Los Angeles Country Areas.  What a great, mixed group we had.  Hwy 33 had never seen so much cycling in Ojai.  Here’s the run down…

Cycling Camp Day 1: At the Hotel and Unloading

Friday came and the fantastic Capri Hotel in Ojai began to teem with bike boxes, racks on cars, warm up jackets, warm greetings and a positive buzz.  Men and women of all backgrounds and levels mingled and exchanged the usual banter to be expected in a cycling camp…

“Hey, where did you fly in from?”

“First time at a cycling camp?”

“Wow, I can wait to ride these mountains.  This place is amazing.”

“Do you primarily race road or do you throw in some triathlons, too?”

TTS Cycling Camp Client Prepping for Day 1 of camp in Ojai. photo courtesy of Jeff Urban

Coaches Ian Murray and Jamie Silber (legends in the Los Angeles triathlon community) made the announcement for the clients to check in with the hotel and the TTS Racing staff.  After that, it was time to get gear together and meet at the front of the hotel to begin the skills, activities and ride.

Cycling Camp Day 1: Skills and Ice Breaking

Once the nearly 40 riders amassed at the entrance of the hotel, the group left and headed to out to get some basic skills courses under way.  At the foot of the mountains, we rolled into a park and began a mix of ice breaking, serious skills and good old fashioned competition.  There was a mix of bike handling drills that focused on body relaxation, preparation, balance and interactions with other riders to simulate a group ride or a road race.

Cycling Camp Day 1: Mellow Ride

After we finished the skills session, we were able roll out for our mellow ride.  This ride was designed to get people comfortable riding with each other and get a few miles in their legs so that they could charge as hard as they wanted on Days 2 and 3.  We wound through the back highways of Ojai and then through historic downtown Ojai.  There wasn’t too much climbing.  The ride primarily consisted of rollers and flat riding.

photo courtesy of Jeff Urban

photo courtesy of Jeff Urban

photo courtesy of Jeff Urban

After finishing, we pulled back into the Capri Hotel, washed up and headed to dinner.  Dinner was amazing.  We were fortunate to feast at the Amestoy House in mountains of Ojai.  The homemade food was delicious.  We had heaping mounds of delicious meats, salads, desserts, coffees and good times.

After dinner was over it was time to get some serious sleep and get ready for a day of climbing into the mountains and riding along the Pacific Ocean in Carpenteria.