Pacific Northwest - Portland to the Coast - Intersecting with ACA route - Best Route?

Hey Guys,

I was planning on doing the Pacific Coast Bicycle route this summer but my plans abruptly came to a halt when I was struck by a car making a u-turn and broke my hand. Anyway, I've decided to continue with that ride regardless of the weather, but have come to terms with the fact that I won't be able to cover the full ride given the approaching seasons and my own personal time constraints.

My plan is to take the AMtrack from Davis, CA to Portland, Or --ride across to the coast and following ACA's route down to Los Angeles, CA. I've been searching online for a few different route suggestions but haven't come up with any.

Do you guys have any suggestions? My general preference is to move in the south western directions but am open to any alternatives if the route is THAT good.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm heading out next week and this is the last piece I need ot have situated.

My Fargo, gear & bob are ready to roll!! :thumb:

This was the route I was thinking. It's 100 miles so i'll be breaking it up into 2 days.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=800+NW+Sixth+Avenue+Union+Station+Portland,+OR97209&daddr=45.30414,-123.38557+to:OR-130+W%2FLittle+Nestucca+River+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FZS2tgIduhmw-CH2kL3dzh2jow%3BFUxJswIdHkml-CmD1y4sTDGVVDHHWiH2fyW6BA%3BFWQpsQIdCvec-A&aq=&sll=45.26377,-123.33101&sspn=1.034235,2.340088&vpsrc=6&gl=us&dirflg=b&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&ie=UTF8&ll=45.314495,-123.32428&spn=0.516655,1.170044&t=m&z=10&lci=bike

My wife Kasia & I participated in the 2009 "Reach the Beach" -- ~100 miles from Beaverton to Pacific City.

Here's the route (as ridden): http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/295794
Here's the official (but somewhat confusing) map/cue sheet: http://action.lungusa.org/site/DocServer/web_maps_2010.pdf?docID=3121

The Reach the Beach route approaches Pacific City from the southeast via Little Nestucca River Road, a beautiful low-traffic ride through the forest. http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith_and_kasia/3544234968/in/set-72157618345672835/

The route is somewhat circuitous in order to pass a few rest stops and alternate starting points; it could probably be simplified/shortened somewhat.

Enjoy your ride!

If you are interested in a slightly shorter distance that just happens to be much prettier (my opinion) and definitely has a lot less traffic, here's a couple of suggestions for starting from Eugene instead of Portland.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/31073976

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/50624968

There are other variations on the theme of leaving from Eugene and arriving in Reedsport via the O&C lands (Oregon and California Railroad BLM lands). I usually see about one car every twenty miles or so while riding there and once went 135 miles before seeing a car. One involves a bit of a climb up to Roman Nose and another is a bit flatter with a short climb from the Siuslaw River to Upper Smith River (Google Maps doesn't show some of this road, but it is there). There are really no services between Eugene and about ten miles from the coast when you take these routes, but you can camp anywhere you want along these roads.

I also recommend that you not skip the Lost Coast. Once again, it is a bit hillier than the ACA route, but has MUCH less traffic (I hate the section of U.S.101 just before Hwy1). You can either skip the Avenue of the Giants by heading out to the coast at Ferndale or ride the Avenue and head out to Honeydew. Be forewarned that Usal Rd, the southernmost leg of the Lost Coast, is a dirt road. It can be a bit of an adventure when it rains, but it is only 25 miles long.

Let my know if you want some details. If you are set on your original plans, have fun.

Oops! I see that is what you were planning. The Nestucca river byway is fantastic imo. It is a big climb coming out of Carlton and there are 4 miles of gravel, but the lack of traffic and remote feeling of the area make it worth it. There's good camping along the river. One possibility after getting to Beaver would to be to backtrack just a smidge (http://http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=800+NW+Sixth+Avenue+Union+Station+Portland,+OR97209&daddr=45.30277,-123.37954+to:45.31871,-123.91195+to:OR-130+W%2FLittle+Nestucca+River+Rd&hl=en&sll=45.250721,-123.695068&sspn=0.557842,0.883026&geocode=FZS2tgIduhmw-CH2kL3dzh2jow%3BFfJDswIdrGCl-CmD1y4sTDGVVDHHWiH2fyW6BA%3BFTaCswId8kCd-CkDfvotx9nqVDFI7RgDI0Qo5A%3BFWQpsQIdCvec-A&vpsrc=0&gl=us&dirflg=b&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=10&via=1,2&t=m&z=10&lci=bike) to hit the southern portion of the three capes loop. There's good shoulder on the cut over and less traffic and better scenery along the coast. You'd miss a busy section of 101 that has little shoulder and very little scenic value.

One option from Portland to 101 would be the Nestucca Scenic Byway (http://http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/files/brochures/Nestucca%20River.pdf). It cuts over from Carlton (N of McMinnville) to Beaver. Link to Route (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Beaver,+OR&daddr=45.29138,-123.49435+to:Carlton,+OR&hl=en&ll=45.283583,-123.501434&spn=0.557519,0.883026&sll=45.172415,-123.511885&sspn=0.558611,0.883026&geocode=FWXesgIdto6e-CmR6U4AP87qVDFZjmZcXP8qYQ%3BFXQXswIdMqCj-CnNS9lTPTOVVDHu_ZMIPhB47Q%3BFcoiswId0Xmo-Cn1VM_6YjiVVDFEA8_euHiQAw&vpsrc=0&dirflg=b&mra=ltm&via=1&t=m&z=10&lci=bike)
I'd plan on backtracking to hit the Three Capes Loop. (Your come out at the South end of the loop).


There are other possibilities northward. I've heard the Banks Vernonia State trail (http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/bv.pdf) is pretty cool. There should be a way to tie that into a route.

Here (http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=36638&a=301633) is the official Portland DOT suggested route map. I did routes #1 (eastbound) and #2 (westbound) this summer. Route #1 along Hwy 202 had much less traffic, but the road was narrower - no shoulders in spots and some pretty rough patches near the summit. There was some log truck traffic too. All the drivers were really nice though, gave me plenty of room. Part of the route is on the Banks-Vernonia trail too (as mentioned above), and it is very nice.

Route #2 along Hwy 6 had a lot more clearance, but also lots more traffic -- although I rode it on a summer weekend. It's probably a lot quieter this time of year, and especially on a weekday.

One possibility after getting to Beaver would to be to backtrack just a smidge (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=800+NW+Sixth+Avenue+Union+Station+Portland,+OR97209&daddr=45.30277,-123.37954+to:45.31871,-123.91195+to:OR-130+W%2FLittle+Nestucca+River+Rd&hl=en&sll=45.250721,-123.695068&sspn=0.557842,0.883026&geocode=FZS2tgIduhmw-CH2kL3dzh2jow%3BFfJDswIdrGCl-CmD1y4sTDGVVDHHWiH2fyW6BA%3BFTaCswId8kCd-CkDfvotx9nqVDFI7RgDI0Qo5A%3BFWQpsQIdCvec-A&vpsrc=0&gl=us&dirflg=b&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=10&via=1,2&t=m&z=10&lci=bike) to hit the southern portion of the three capes loop. There's good shoulder on the cut over and less traffic and better scenery along the coast. You'd miss a busy section of 101 that has little shoulder and very little scenic value.

Three Capes Loop is a very nice ride. It also has the advantage of taking you through Pacific City, location of one of my favorite brew pubs (Pelican Brewery (http://www.yourlittlebeachtown.com/pelican)).