Touring: PDX to Coos Bay
 

Greetings folks, I'm starting to plan a touring trip for me and a buddy likely to happen in late June. Starting in SW PDX/Beaverton, ending in Coos Bay where some friends live. I'd like to start planning out some semi-specific routes, and I'm soliciting suggestions either from personal experience or if there are resources that might give options (i.e. touring books/websites).

I'm very familiar with the major driving routes from PDX to the coast, and I'm tentatively planning on heading out TV highway thru Forest Grove (I know, not the prettiest ride through Hillsboro, but past FG it's really nice through the wineries), and then heading over the range on Hwy 6. I'm open to other suggestions including 47, 99, 26, or less-traveled rural roads, though. Since the distance as the crow rides is about 250 miles, I'm figuring this will take around 4 days. Once we get out to the coast, I'd like to ride a day or two on 101 along the coast, but duck inland for a while to see some of the coastal forests. Again, lay down some suggestions if you have 'em.

Also, this is not an exclusive ride. If anyone is interested in riding with us, you are welcome for all or even just part of the ride. We plan on camping a couple of nights and hotel/moteling a night or two.

Happy trails,
Alan

taking the Little Nestucca is really pretty, and lightly traveled. Look at the Reach the Beach route, although you can skip the Newberg part by heading south out of FG on Fern Hill/Spring Hill/North Valley, and rejoin the route at the intersection of Ribbon Ridge and Kuehne, heading from there to Lafayette, Dayton,Sheridan, Willamina, Grand Ronde, then over the Little Nestucca to Hwy 101/Pacific City.

yes, the back way from Forest Grove south that Lynn suggests is really a nice ride.

This map details that route, among others:
http://www.portlandonline.com/transp...x.cfm?c=34809&

There's also the main Nestucca Rd. west out of Carlton - a great ride but a pretty good climb over the summit.

I keep forgetting about that map-site. Thanks for the reminder.

SimNat, let me know if and when you need another reminder - i have a vested interest.

Thanks guys and girls. I'll definitely keep Nestucca in mind. Does anyone have any experience further south? I'm fine with taking 101 all the way down, but would be interested in a few detours inland if there are any stretches of great scenic road. As always, thanks again for any suggestions.

to the coast from Eugene
 

Love Dr., if you want to head out the coast further south, then you could follow the Willamette Valley Scenic bikeway or something like it south to Eugene. From here the Smith River Rd. through the Siuslaw National Forests is one of the most delightful routes anywhere. Just follow the Wolf Creek Rd. southwest out of Eugene, continue south/west on the Siulsaw River Rd. and then the Lower Smith River Rd. - all paved, with some camping opportunities - through to Reedsport. A really quiet. remote road.

also, you might want to check a Siuslaw National Forest map - it shows paved roads, and much of the area along the coast north of Coos Bay would be shown on that map. Probably give you some good ideas for side trips.

one more thing
 

L Dr. - also realized that the Lane County bike map shows this route quite well - along with lots of other intruiging possibilities.

Thanks for posting this Jeff. I mapped it out on Google maps, and it's around 90 miles from Eugene to Reedsport. How does it compare climbing-wise with other routes over the coast range? Sounds beautiful!