Touring *

From U.S. 101, the Ventura Freeway, take the Montalvo/Government Center exit, Victoria Avenue. Proceed to the second stop light, at Telephone Road, and turn right. Take the first entrance driveway into the Government Center parking lot and park close to the Telephone Road sidewalk. Skating is only allowed outside of the center property; this route circles the government grounds, on a bike path along bordering streets. Map: Bikeways Map, A Guide to Biking in Ventura County, published by the Ventura County Transportation Commission; (805) 642-1591.

Eucalyptus trees, dense ivy, and wide lawns enhance the grounds of the attractive Ventura County Government Center in Ventura's Montalvo district. A network of linking, dedicated bike routes delivers four miles of skating on the bordering streets of Victoria Avenue, Webster Street, Telephone Road, and Kimbell Road. In addition, nearly all of the neighboring streets have wide concrete sidewalks, and diversions abound, branching off in all directions; the creative skater can pick up a lot of mileage in these parts. Heed the signs, however, and do not skate on the off-limits government property. A big No Skating sign is posted near the Telephone Road entrance just east of its intersection with Victoria Avenue. Although that means you'll have to resist the parking lots and sidewalks of the grounds themselves, there's lots to enjoy on the shaded route of the designated bike paths that encircle the complex. If you're still raring to go after completing the Government Center loop, skate east on Telephone Road, where those aforementioned diversions await. Starting out from the south edge of the Center, you'll skate east past Victoria Avenue, Hill Road, and Johnson Drive, all tempting you to leave Telephone and explore. Each offers a short route on a bike path or bike lanes, perfect for burning off a few extra calories while seeing the sights. Back on Telephone, after you pass Johnson, keep a lookout to the right for Antelope Drive, where a roughly paved little creekside canal path extends south for just a few blocks. You should skate here only if you enjoy the tickle of vibrating feet. Telephone Road's designated bike lane ends one and a half miles beyond the Government Center, but other, streetside bike lanes extend the possibilities for another two miles before ending at Placid Avenue, two blocks before Montgomery Avenue. Turn right to skate south on Montgomery's wide sidewalks for another three quarters of a mile. Cross Bristol Road and continue two blocks into the neighborhood to access another mile-long dedicated bike path that runs next to the Santa Clara River at the edge of town. By the time you've explored that and every other branching path along the way, you'll have had a decidedly satisfying skate.