not sure if he meant to be sarcastic or mean about the lanes comment- maybe just came across that way a bit?

I've ridden to the coast two different ways and both were great and avoided busy highways like 26 and 30.

Twice I've gone this route: from Portland took the blue line MAX train to Hillsboro- from there road to Forest Grove then down to Carlton. From Carlton rode to Blaine eventually meeting with the 101 at Beaver. I really like this route but there is a good solid 15 miles of steep low gear climbing not too far out of Carlton. Bring water! Otherwise it's an awesome low use road with three different campgrounds just over the summit.

Recent;y I rode to Astoria by taking the MAX to Hillsboro and from there meeting with the rails to trails to Vernonia and then hwy 47 through Mist, Jewell and Onley. We camped at Big Eddy park. This is a nice route and is actually much easier I think than heading through Blaine. Less hills but it more depends on your destination at the beach.

Both these routes are great and fairly traffic free!