A few weeks ago I packed up my rain gear, stuffed my pockets full of Shot Bloks, and hit the road with the coast in mind. If you are ready for a weekend or weeklong getaway, put cycling the Oregon coast at the top of your list.
Highway 101 wanders along nearly the entire length of the Pacific coast, and in Oregon the views seem impossibly beautiful. But it’s not just the stunning scenery that make the highway a destination, it is also a cyclist’s dream. Oregon has thoughtfully placed state parks a bikeable distance of 50 miles apart, and the dedicated hiker and biker campsites (at only $5 a night) make the trip easily enjoyed by two wheels.
Schedule Your Trip for Maximum Sun
Experienced coastal cyclists will suggest planning your trip for the late summer, when the traditional rain and fog are least likely to derail your trip. And, as a bonus, heading south gives you the best possible chance of tailwind.
Of course, if you are like me and laugh in the face of rain in the off season, you can have an enjoyable ride none the less. Make sure you pack an extra set of dry clothes in a dry sack and all of your best rain gear.
Prepare for Hills
The same cliffs that make the highway so beautiful to view are what make it so challenging for pedal-powered traffic. The rewards are worthwhile — stunning vistas, strange rock formations, and sparkling spottings of sea-life greet you at the top — but the ups and downs can be brutal to all but the most seasoned cyclist.
If tough climbs of anywhere from 500 to 1,000 feet of elevation gain are your cup of tea, then cycling the 101 will prove joyous. If hills are not your favorite, try the central section I rode: from Cannon Beach south for thirty to fifty miles. On this section you’ll enjoy long, steady climbs and long, fast descents.
Traffic Advisory
Lastly, remember that Highway 101 is a popular road with cars for many of the same reasons it is popular with cyclists. In many parts there is a wide shoulder, but there are a few winding turns with a less-than-perfect bikeway. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you.
Just keep spinning. — Arielle