I'm planning an extended tour for this summer. The first leg would begin in San Francicso, CA, and follow the Adventure Cycling route north along the coast to Astoria, WA. It'll be a solo self-contained tour to start on or about 13 June, and my friends' reactions are mainly negative... too much traffic, too rainy, too windy, etc.

I've never been out on the west coast and would really like to see the northern CA/OR coast (it looks terrific in pictures), so I've been listening to the criticisms with a grain of salt. Have any of you cycled all or part of this route and have any first hand information you could share? I am a bit concerned about traffic and weather. Thanks for the help.

I was out that way in August. Didn't seem like too much traffic. There were a lot of motor homes along the route. On the Leggit portion of the Pacific Coast Highway there were quite a few logging trucks. Since then the lumber mill in Ft. Bragg has closed down (after more than a hundred years in business), this might lessen the lumber hauling traffic?

We saw a lot of cyclists, Mostly going south. Is that due to more head winds if traveling north?

Your planned trip sounds fantastic. If I were to do it, I might seriously consider the prevailing wind direction and plan my trip accordingly.

The prevailing winds ARE from the north along the coast. That is way people recommend riding the other direction.

We have ridden from Gold Beach Oregon north a ways (Coquille River?), before heading inland. The winds are not always an issue. I don't recall being frustrated by them. But, we usually try to put in a lot of miles early in the morning before the tourists wake up. Winds are often much less of an issue, then.

Someone can correct me if Im wrong but touring in the US is best going West to East and North to South.
Another thing, going down the coast would be better going North to South for another reason: you ride in the lane nearest the ocean. In some spots there are some nast edges if you were to ride South to North. And yes, there is a bit much traffic on the coast in the summer time. Mostly tourists in cars, SUVs, and motorhomes. But its a great trip.... going from North to South!

West to east is better for a couple reasons. Yes, the winds make a big difference, especially in the midwest where they can howl for days against you if you are riding west. Also, the morning sun is less cruel in your eyes than an evening sun, if you are riding westward. Third, the rockies are are easy for cycling with gentle grades and wide shoulders; by the time you hit the nasty, steeper appalachians, you will be in better physical condition.

Starting in Oregon in mid June and heading south, is what I would recommend. Not only the wind, but also having the ocean at your side..and YES..there are time when you are RIGHT next to a cliff, so be careful. While the rainy season is Oregon my still be going on at that time, all the small parks and cafes on their coast make it bearable.

roughstuff

One year I wrent from EAST to WEST In North Dakota and Eastern Montana I bucked head winds on the West coast I went south and had a nice tail wind most days

The following year I went from West to EAST thinking Id have a tail wind most days. You know what? there were as many days with head winds inboth directions. I think they semed worse going East because i was expecting a nice push.

The winds can and do blow from any direction After a while you just get used to them. Some days are harder than others. Out onthe road we take what ever we are delt with.
Catfish

I pedaled the coastal route from Astoria to SF in June/July 2000. Traffic was moderate, sparse in some areas. Scenery was breathtaking. Extremely stiff winds everyday going north. Start in Astoria and go to SF if possible. The winds will quadruple your effort and break your spirit. Going south gives you better views of the ocean and weeeeee tailwinds! You also have more turnouts and blend in with traffic when riding faster.

Don't go north on the coast in the summer!