Originally Posted by
katty
That sounds great, thanks! Having looked it up on googlemaps, I guess I could fly into Vancouver, get over the border and use route 5 to get down to Oregon to join the trail? Did you camp most nights along the trail? And where can I buy a map or book with more details to help me along the way? Thanks again!
If you are going to ride the Northern Tier, get the maps from Adventure Cycling. They're worth it. Don't take I-5 down from Vancouver. It isn't bike friendly. In fact, I don't think bikes are allowed on most of it.
One way to go would be from the Vancouver Airport to Birch Bay State Park in Washington, just outside of Blaine. Then go through Bellingham, down Chuckanut Drive to Bayview State Park, and on to Anacortes. If the ceremonial rear-wheel-dipping in Anacortes isn't important to you, take Highway 9 south from Bellingham (head out Lakeway Drive to Lake Whatcom, drive around the southwest to pick up Highway 9) to Sedro-Woolley and pick up the Northern Tier route there. Both of these are scenic routes.
The Northern Tier starts off with a bang. You climb on the North Cascades Highway to Washington and Rainy Passes, cruise down into Winthrop and Twisp, then climb over Loup-Loup Pass to Omak, then climb again over Sherman and Wauconda Passes. Once you get to Omak it may be over 100 degrees! I recommend getting in as good bicycling shape as you can before you leave. The ride down from Vancouver to Sedro-Woolley would be a good idea to get you used to riding before you tackle the passes.
I did this last summer and it was a beautiful route!