Originally Posted by
adventurepdx
I haven't ridden all of that route, but from what I've heard from others who have:
- 47 between 30 and 202: A pretty good climb over the mountains right there. Not super high, and I forget which side is steeper.
- Foss Road between 26 and 58: About 30 miles of gravel. Not bad gravel from what I've heard, but each person's gravel tolerance is different.
I rode Foss Road a while ago (ten years-ish) and it was OK. Very broken pavement and gravel. I was fine on my mountain bike with slick tires, while my partners were on recumbents with fat tires. We made it a partial loop by riding back to 26 on 53/Necanicum Hwy. This had good pavement all the way- the only problem being the stretch on 26.
An all-pavement alternative would be to take 202 almost to Astoria, then down Lewis & Clark Road to Seaside. Take 101 the rest of the way to Nehalem. Pick your poison.