OrangeSoma

Would there be any issues crossing the Cascades? Like tough weather? or not-fun roads?

adventurepdx

Winter in the Cascades can last until June, so yeah, there can be tough weather. Though this year if things hold, May should be good. The main ways over the Cascades are busy roads with usually ample shoulders. The best way over would be McKenzie Pass, which is the most scenic and has the least traffic. The road is closed in the winter and usually opens June-July, though they let cyclists go up before the road opens to cars. It's supposedly passable to bikes right now! So hopefully it would be ready then.

mev

Two nice routes that I've taken:
1) Took a five day trip over Memorial Day 2012 that started in Portland and went to Boise. The route was approximately what comes if you take Google Maps and pick the auto route with "avoid highways" and went Portland - John Day - Boise. Had rain in Portland, but once I passed by Mt Hood, it was beautiful weather in Eastern Oregon. I rented a car in Boise one way back to Portland.

2) August of the preceding year I went from Portland along the Columbia River Gorge and then via Spokane (and then further to Whitefish MT). However, I also did the Columbia River Gorge multiple times in spring. Even if wet, by time you get past The Dalles, more likely to be dry. Spokane Amtrak station has baggage service and hence can make one way back to Portland.

If you start in Portland, you can always see what the weather does and adjust accordingly. However, even if fairly wet it is likely something like the Columbia River Gorge can provide a reasonable path west. Similarly, there are one way alternatives to end in Spokane or Boise or Tri-Cities that you can then use other transportation to get you back to Portland. I like eastern portions of both WA and OR.

Also the Portland touring group (Portland Wheelmen Touring Club | Take Life by the Handlebars!) has done an 4 day up and back on the Gorge ride over Memorial Day weekend the years I lived in Portland.

staehpj1

McKenzie Pass is very nice and pretty likely to be open this year given the lack of snow. If a late snow closes McKenzie Pass then use Santiam Pass which is open year round.

OrangeSoma

Can you comment on this route right here?






I see I can use McKenzie Pass going from Bend to Eugene but what about Portland out East? The other alternative to the above route is to do the Gorge on the Columbia river out to the Dalles and South to Bend through the Warm Springs Reservation.. Though I'm not sure if this is scenic or safe. Any comments?

mev

The first 120 miles from Portland to Madras matches the same route I took on my Portland to Boise Ride. I would probably take Springwater Corridor trail as good route getting out of Portland and after that the major highways. Believe it climbs to about 4000 ft near Mount Hood and overall road is reasonable. The last 100 miles from Eugene to Portland also has some reasonable cycling. My more typical route was a little further west via Corvallis, but if you look around on web you'll find a number of reasonable choices. The middle half I haven't cycled.

staehpj1

I don't have personal experience there as I have not done that part of your loop but, it looks like the Adventure Cycling Lewis and Clark Route might be appropriate there and I met some folks on the Trans America who said they really enjoyed the L&C. It looks like it would make your proposed look a little longer though.

digibud

dunno how much rain you'll have but my advice is to be prepared for rain 24/7. Some extra lightweight rope and a lightweight tarp. A lot of people eschew rain pants but when it's gets chilly and windy they'll keep you warm. Not dry if it rains all day..but warm and out of the wind. Being able to set up a tarp for eating or over the tent entrance when it's raining day in and day out. Additionally, if you do run into days and days of rain don't hesitate to roll into a laundromat and dry your world out.

OrangeSoma

Should I be thinking about Northern California instead? I have a buddy joining me now, and we're toying with the idea of North of San Fran? So much to cover in such little time....

OrangeSoma

Alright. So I just booked my flight as did my friend. We're deciding to land in Portland and leave from Portland. We figure we could just tour around the state. Getting there May 22nd and Leaving May 31st.

The tentative route is Portland - The Dalles - Bend - Eugene - Portland. This is 500 miles approximately so it may be a stretch given our time, but we could always get back by train, bus, or renting a car if all else fails.

This route may also change depending on weather.

fietsbob

Maybe the winds, which are coming out of the NW Now, are suggesting an earlier drying season which also pushes FIRE season earlier and longer too..

OrangeSoma

That sounds good and unfortunate at the same time. I will be solidifying my route as the weather predictions become more accurate. We were also thinking of potentially riding on the coast if the weather is good.

Also, you or anyone able to recommend any good books for bike routes in Oregon? or should I just see what Adventurecyclin.org has?

fietsbob

free maps : LBS in Astoria is getting another Case-Lot of them for the season, Coast Route..

Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Maps

OrangeSoma

These maps are sweet. Thanks for the input on that. So I'm looking at the weather forecast and it looks pretty good. I bought a bunch of sweet rain gear though, so if it does rain there isn't much to worry about.

I have another friend joining from Chicago now, so now it's going to be 3 of us. Still thinking PDX- The Dalles - Bend - Eugene - PDX (~500 miles). We have 8 days, so if we can't complete the ride we'll train it or rent a car for the last bit.

If the weather is this nice though, I'm tempted to do some riding along the coast and skip the eastern portion. It would be really nice to do that Gorge ride as it looks pretty nice as well. Anyway to do the Gorge ride with some Coast riding?

We're looking to keep things in Oregon.

fietsbob

https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEP.../bike_map.aspx

OrangeSoma

The weather has been great so far. Did the Gorge ride out to Hood river and then up through Lolo Pass. Headed back to Portland. Planning on Astoria from Portland but unsure of whether it would be better to bus it or ride to Astoria. Is the ride from Portland to Astoria worth it?

adventurepdx

Depends on your time and route chosen. If you are tight on time and want to get to the "good" stuff, it's easier to hop on the bus and skip two days of riding. If you have the time and use a good route, it could be worth it. Be advised that the scenery going over the Coast Range is more subtle and is nowhere near as spectacular as the Columbia Gorge or going over the Cascades, but it is still nice scenery.

OrangeSoma

So the trip is done. Ended up doing PDX - Thunder Island - Hood River - Lolo Pass - Mt. Hood Village - PDX.

Took a bus to Astoria and rode down to Pacific city. Not sure on the exact mileage but it was a lot of fun and there was plenty of good scenery. Also had plenty of places to fill up our growlers and enjoy the beer.

Took a bus back to Portland and spent the last couple of days just enjoying and riding around the city.

Thank you all for the advice. I look forward to going back for Southern Oregon next time!