I rode through Portland. I remember people trying to explain to me that escaping the city on bicycle was a bit difficult because of freeways and such, so I took the trolley train from downtown to the end of the line somewhere west of the city, Hilsboro station I think, and made my way down to HWY 18. I don't remember anything particular notable about the roads or traffic on the way so it couldn't have been terrible. Certainly not worse than the unshouldered heavy traffic climb through the redwoods after Crescent City, CA.

I started from Portland around noon and finished that day near Lincoln city. I slept on the beach there and made a little fire inside a hobo log hut. It might not be the greatest idea though because the beach can get pretty busy, especially on weekends, and also even if you are careful, sand gets into all the greased and lubed parts of your bicycle which took a long while to clean out. It also might be prohibited.