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Harmon Canyon's coastal live oaks. Photo: Pat Perkins

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Stages "Hills on Wheels" Cycling Event

Ventura, CA (April 21, 2008): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has scheduled the 10th in its ongoing series of educational outreach pertaining to Ventura's open space. Hills on Wheels is an interactive family bicycle tour of the lower Ventura River valley. The ride will follow Ventura's award-winning Ventura River Trail bike path through historic urban and rural landscapes with the Ventura Hillsides as an ever-present backdrop. Hills on Wheels will take place Sunday, May 4, 2008 beginning at 2 PM. The ride will be staged from the upper Patagonia parking lot on West Main Street, just east the Ojai Freeway overpass. It will continue to historic Foster Park, whereupon riders will turn around for the downhill run back to Ventura.
Hills on Wheels will welcome riders to visit outdoor educational presentations along the route, staffed with local experts. The stations will educate riders about how watersheds function, the importance of estuaries, and why there are public art pieces involving fake oranges spilled along the Ventura River Trail. Other trailside talks will educate participants about the history of oil in the Ventura River valley, and how Cañada Larga plays a role in the migration of birds. The end-point for the ride is Foster Park, where refreshments will be waiting. The riders will then return back to the start in Ventura. The total length of the turnaround ride is 12 miles. Riders should wear bike helmets and bring drinking water.

"We are looking forward to better acquainting Venturans with the Ventura River valley, and how the hillsides form its watershed," says Mindy Lawrence, education outreach event coordinator for the Conservancy. "As always, our focus for this event is on families and youth, and we welcome an opportunity to make outdoor education accessible to people of all ages."

The Conservancy's 2008 Educational Outreach programs are sponsored by Rabobank, a partner with VHC since 2004.

Admission to the event is free, as is parking at Patagonia. The Conservancy encourages participants to bike or carpool to the event starting point.

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on our website.

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