I'll be in Oregon and maybe Washington next week and I'd like to do several rides. I've been looking at the Lonely Planet Cycling USA: Northwest book for ideas. Any comments on the following?

From Union Creek, around Crater Lake (which direction is better?) and back.

From Seaside, up or down the coast for maybe 30 miles, then return.

From Portland, head up the Columbia River, about 70 miles roundtrip (from the book).

Any good rides around the Mt. St. Helens area?

Thanks for your suggestions!

I'll be in Oregon and maybe Washington next week and I'd like to do several rides. I've been looking at the Lonely Planet Cycling USA: Northwest book for ideas. Any comments on the following?

From Union Creek, around Crater Lake (which direction is better?) and back.

From Seaside, up or down the coast for maybe 30 miles, then return.

From Portland, head up the Columbia River, about 70 miles roundtrip (from the book).

Any good rides around the Mt. St. Helens area?

Thanks for your suggestions!

That's quite a difference in distance from each of the rides you mention. The drive from Portland to Crater Lake area is nearly 4 hours alone.

Also, related to Crater Lake, it's a beautiful place and good roads but be prepared for some SERIOUS climbing. There are 3-4 major climbs on the loop.

The coast North of Lincoln City to Seaside isn't all that great. 101 is inland so all you'll see is trees. South of Lincoln City is great.

That's quite a difference in distance from each of the rides you mention. The drive from Portland to Crater Lake area is nearly 4 hours alone.

Also, related to Crater Lake, it's a beautiful place and good roads but be prepared for some SERIOUS climbing. There are 3-4 major climbs on the loop.

The coast North of Lincoln City to Seaside isn't all that great. 101 is inland so all you'll see is trees. South of Lincoln City is great.

Yeah, I'll be driving around your fair state a lot. I'll start at Ashland for Crater Lake, Seaside, another day, then Portland for the rest.

By the way, any hints for fun weekday training crits/rides would also be welcome. Thanks!

Jun

Yeah, I'll be driving around your fair state a lot. I'll start at Ashland for Crater Lake, Seaside, another day, then Portland for the rest.

By the way, any hints for fun weekday training crits/rides would also be welcome. Thanks!

Jun

Wed. nights (tonight) there is a crit in Portland on Mt. Tabor. The course is a hilly 1.3 (I think) loop. More info can be found through http://home.comcast.net/%7Eclarkritchie/mttabor/

I'll be in Oregon and maybe Washington next week and I'd like to do several rides. I've been looking at the Lonely Planet Cycling USA: Northwest book for ideas. Any comments on the following?

From Union Creek, around Crater Lake (which direction is better?) and back.

From Seaside, up or down the coast for maybe 30 miles, then return.

From Portland, head up the Columbia River, about 70 miles roundtrip (from the book).

Any good rides around the Mt. St. Helens area?

Thanks for your suggestions!
There was a ride a couple of weeks ago from the town of Toutle, WA to the end of the road overlooking Mt. Saint Helens. It is called the Tour de Blast. Toutle is about 10 miles off I5 at exit 49. Thre round trip from Toutle to Johnson Ridge and back is about 82 miles. Great ride, scenic, but you will have almost 7,000 feet of climbing going both directions (5,100 feet going up, 1,700 feet returning). Attached photo is from end of road (Johnson Ridge).

Monday or Tuesday there is racing at PIR (Portland Intl. Raceway), 2 mile car race track. Really good training. Wed. eve. is either Mt. Tabor or for something really fun, velodrome training class at Alpenrose. Rent a bike for $5, take a class for $5. Serious fun there!

Race schedules can be found at: http://www.obra.org/

Track class info: http://www.obra.org/track/flyers/2004/wednesdays.html

It was one of the most stunning rides I have ever done. Absolutely beautiful.
I drove the down to Seaside, and didn't think that the north side was much to shout about, but riding south was amazing.

I don't know how far I went, about 25-30 miles I guess. I didn't go back, but could have kept riding if my travel partners hadn't caught up to me. Everyday, I would start out with a ride, and when they caught up to me, the ride was over. :(

I haven't done any of the other rides in Oregon, but I think you would be doing yourself a disservice to not ride south of Seaside.

Thanks for the tips, everybody!

Union Creek-Crater Lake. Drive up from Ashland.
Garibaldi-Three Capes. Drive down from Seaside.
Same ride as the Tour de Blast,Toutle to Johnson Ridge, drive from Portland.
Portland to Cascade Locks and back.

Thanks for the great picture of Mt. St. Helens. After seeing that picture, there's no way I can pass up the ride... or if I'm too tired, at least visit the area.

I will be sure to post a ride report after I get back.

Jun

Thanks for the great picture of Mt. St. Helens. After seeing that picture, there's no way I can pass up the ride
Just to warn you. You cannot buy water or food at Johnson Ridge. I am pretty sure that drinks are available at Coldwater Visitor Center which is back down the hill from Johnson Ridge. Where the road split (Y'd). The Tour de Blast had to be one of the best and scenic rides I have done around here. Also try to do Portland to Multnomah Falls and back along the old highway. Very scenic views of several waterfalls. Enjoy.

JAishima,
when you do the Columbia Gorge, don't go out and back, do the Bridge of the Gods loop. This takes you out hwy 14 (I think) on the Washington side, across the river at Bridge of The Gods in Cascade Locks, then back on the Old Scenic Highway. MUCH better than just out and back on 84. When in Portland, go to any bike shop and look for 'Rubber to the Road #2'. You might also be able to order it from www.powells.com, but the site seems to be down right this minute. For that matter, you shouldn't miss Powell's Books when in town, and you can also get the book there. 5 or 6 other great 50-100+ mile rides in that volume, so you shouldn't be at a loss for rides ;) If you are really in a mood, try the Torture 10,000. "Sure it's 10,000 feet of climbing, but it IS spread out over 100 miles"

Best,
Gordon

It was one of the most stunning rides I have ever done. Absolutely beautiful.
I drove the down to Seaside, and didn't think that the north side was much to shout about, but riding south was amazing.

I don't know how far I went, about 25-30 miles I guess. I didn't go back, but could have kept riding if my travel partners hadn't caught up to me. Everyday, I would start out with a ride, and when they caught up to me, the ride was over. :(

I haven't done any of the other rides in Oregon, but I think you would be doing yourself a disservice to not ride south of Seaside.

Yea I've rode from Seaside ti Girabaldi. We were staying in Seaside and I did a round tripper. A couple of climbs and a tunnel to go through. Some great views though. Shoulders not as good on the return (North) trip, but the road seems wide, at least it didn't seem I was getting squeezed out by vehicles. In summer you usually get the tail winds riding South

JAishima,
when you do the Columbia Gorge, don't go out and back, do the Bridge of the Gods loop. This takes you out hwy 14 (I think) on the Washington side, across the river at Bridge of The Gods in Cascade Locks, then back on the Old Scenic Highway. MUCH better than just out and back on 84. When in Portland, go to any bike shop and look for 'Rubber to the Road #2'. You might also be able to order it from www.powells.com, but the site seems to be down right this minute. For that matter, you shouldn't miss Powell's Books when in town, and you can also get the book there. 5 or 6 other great 50-100+ mile rides in that volume, so you shouldn't be at a loss for rides ;) If you are really in a mood, try the Torture 10,000. "Sure it's 10,000 feet of climbing, but it IS spread out over 100 miles"

Best,
Gordon

thanks for the suggestions. Since I already went on the trip, I won't be able to do that loop! I ended up driving the Columbia Gorge as a rest day (and doing hikes to the waterfalls) because I was going to have too many miles for the week. Thanks for the book suggestion, I would love to do more riding in Oregon sometime on a future trip.

Also regarding the coast ride, I drove down to Tillamook, then did a lot (but not the entire) Three Capes tour. I got a flat tire, second in three days. I didn't want to push my luck.

All in all, I had a really great time riding in Oregon and Washington. I have posted a ride report in the Ride Report section!