spectastic

I'm in seattle right now trying to figure out the best way to san francisco. I would like to go through portland, because I hear good things about it, and I know someone there who could probably let me stay for a few days.

is there any recommendation for a good route? places to see? I would prefer to travel close to a straight line, and not zig zag too much, but I realiize that also limits me for things that I shouldn't miss while I'm there.

tjkoko

Hwy 1, The Pacific Coast Highway!!!!!

fietsbob

Scenic ? Yes , It Is.

Want to take a straight line , Get A Boat .



US 101 is the Coast highway until you get into Northern California ,

only then does California Route One go off to the right,

where US 101 turns inland and starts becoming a 4 lane faster route..

CliffordK

Yes, the coastal highway is popular, although it can be busy.

The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is nice. Not particularly straight, and not the best connection in Portland, but once to Champoeg State Park, it is quite nice all the way to Eugene.

Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway - Ride Oregon Ride

I've ridden from Eugene to Roseburg/Riddle, OR in the past, but it has been quite some time ago, I may be able to figure out parts of the route. However, the "Tour de Lane" had a suggested course to the coast.. oh, southward.

Day 2-Clear to the Coast - A bike ride in Lane County, OR

spectastic

I've decided to go to olympia, possibly longview (maybe skip it), portland, and then go inland and do the rest of the way down 101.

Is eugene worth visiting?

Tourist in MSN

I wrote my observations on the Pacific Coast Highway at this link:

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...l#post16933424

But since you will be inland for much of the route, some of my comments might not be that applicable.

CliffordK

Heck, I don't know.
What kinds of things are you interested in?

There is quite a bit of university oriented stuff. There is a nice Saturday Market, but I don't get there a lot.
Euphoria Chocolate Company????
Perhaps there isn't quite as vibrant of a nightlife as the big cities, or perhaps I just miss it.

B. Carfree

Eugene isn't much. There's a couple of breweries (Ninkasi, Oakshire, Hop Valley) and such, but Portland has more and better in that regard. We've got more homeless people than PDX and one shouldn't leave anything untended in either city ever. One thing Eugene does have is great access to the best route to US101. Here's a link: Day 1 Eug-Dav - A bike ride in Eugene, OR
That's the flat way out of town. No services along the way but no cars once you get over the first hill until you get within ten miles of the coast.

I strongly recommend you head out to US1 instead of staying on US101 in CA. First of all, most people don't like the heat of the inland valleys. Secondly, the traffic is MUCH heavier on 101. You're essentially on a freeway. It's yucky in the extreme. In fact, I generally leave US101 at Ferndale and head out to the Lost Coast. I go through Petrolia, camp at A.W. Way, turn up Wilder Ridge at Honeydew (can also get to Honeydew from the Avenue of the Giants), then head to Usul Rd which is a 24 mile single-lane rutted dirt road that connects to US1 thirty miles north of Ft. Bragg. This avoids the dangerous stretch of US101 between the Avenue and Leggett, but adds a lot more climbing on empty roads. It's not for the weak of leg, but it is very scenic.

spectastic

much appreciated fellers

staehpj1

Also I got the impression that bike theft was pretty likely there.

BTW, I rode from Seattle to San Francisco and beyond and didn't like my route for the part leading to Astoria. I used the Bremmerton Ferry and then followed the ACA Pacific Coast route. If I were doing it again I try to find a different route or maybe take a bus or rental car to Astoria. The views from the ferry would have been the highlight of that section if it wasn't fogged in.

fietsbob

from Longview where Cowlitz River joins the Columbia , still plenty of Mt St.Helens Ash on the river shores
WA 4 follows along the north side of the Columbia ..

lots of traffic crosses the Longview Bridge to US 30 on the Oregon side

2 other crossings: Cathlamet, Puget Island ferry to Westport OR and the Megler-Astoria Bridge , on US 101,

CliffordK

It is all relative.
Your bike won't be stolen if it is under you.

I haven't had any problems with theft since I was in Jr High. But, as with any place, a good lock keeps people honest.

I also have never had anybody mess with my lights, speedo, bags, or trailer.

As with any place (especially college towns), don't leave your bike unattended at night.

Oregon Coast Beach Access areas are probably a much higher risk area than the city.

B. Carfree

Yeah, we've got an underground economy that trades in stolen bikes (often for meth or heroin). I was at a nice local food wholesaler that also sells to the public today and they had a new sign up about bikes with cable locks being stolen from their racks. They are right across the tracks from the Amtrak station, so that's kind of telling.

In fact, one of my neighbors on our dead-end road just sent out an email about her bike that was stolen from her yard this weekend. One definitely shouldn't leave anything unattended in this city.

max5480

Do the Seattle to Portland route (STP) It's pretty great and is marked the entire way. I didn't even mean to ride it when I did the same route as you, but after seeing "STP" signs stenciled on the road I started following them blindly and sure enough they lead me straight to Portland. Just, whatever you do, don't ride over the "Lewis and Clark bridge" across the Columbia. Hitch a ride from someone.

spectastic

well I'm in portland. I'll probably end up staying here for a few days, to dodge the rain, meet some girls, see some stuff that you don't find elsewhere. I've also ordered some stuff of amazon that'll get here this weekend, and ship back some other stuff, to save some weight and have less to worry about.

so it's a consensus that after portland, just go to the coast and stay there?

B. Carfree

Well, you're just in time. There's a full-moon naked bike ride tonight. Get goin'.
S H I F T to bikes!

spectastic

now you're talkin

staehpj1

That is what I'd do.

max5480

do the lost coast (mattole road) in northern california

fietsbob

That's what I did . been here for many Years ..