Coos Bay Bridge Bypass Yes and No?

[PeteJack]

THe first part of the bypass is a delight; a quiet, pretty road with a bit of climbing and a great view of the bridge. However once you get to Hwy 101 (See Detail#2 Map 22)you are on a busy highway with not much to see. A rather a bore in fact although it does have an adequate shoulder until you meet up with the original ACA route north of Bandon. It seems to me a much more interesting route would be to ride across Coos Bay and rejoin the original route just south of the bridge. Am I missing something?
From Detail #1 it looks like there's a road that joins Newmarket St. that you could use.

[Patco]

I don't have access to the map details you are referencing, but on the third trip from Seattle to Santa Rosa along the coast I decided to try 101 through Coos Bay and south instead of taking the recommended route that runs on the west side of Coos Bay to Charleston and then Seven Devils Road to Bandon. That was not one of my better decisions. It was a miserable ride on 101. I do not mind traffic, but there was just too much traffic and no shoulders and I had zero fun. Future trips I continued to take the Seven Devils Road route. As to crossing McCullough Bridge, I never had an issue with that bridge (unlike crossing the Astoria Bridge where, for me, the pucker factor was on high until I reached the apex and started descending into Astoria). Also, several times I just walked the bridge on the pedestrian walkway when the winds were whipping. Perhaps they have changed 101 since the last time I did this ride was just over seven years ago, but I would counsel against using 101 through and south of Coos Bay.

[PeteJack]

I don't have access to the map details you are referencing, but on the third trip from Seattle to Santa Rosa along the coast I decided to try 101 through Coos Bay and south instead of taking the recommended route that runs on the west side of Coos Bay to Charleston and then Seven Devils Road to Bandon. That was not one of my better decisions. It was a miserable ride on 101. I do not mind traffic, but there was just too much traffic and no shoulders and I had zero fun. Future trips I continued to take the Seven Devils Road route. As to crossing McCullough Bridge, I never had an issue with that bridge (unlike crossing the Astoria Bridge where, for me, the pucker factor was on high until I reached the apex and started descending into Astoria). Also, several times I just walked the bridge on the pedestrian walkway when the winds were whipping. Perhaps they have changed 101 since the last time I did this ride was just over seven years ago, but I would counsel against using 101 through and south of Coos Bay.

Well that answers my question. Thanks.

[John Nelson]

I stayed on the standard route across the Coos Bay Bridge. The bridge is no picnic, but it's only six minutes of your day. Coos Bay provides ample access to services that you probably need. Seven Devils Road is aptly named. It's steep and hard. Bullards Beach State ParK has a very nicely appointed hiker/biker campground. You'll like it.

[KKTice]

Having ridden both 101 and 7 Devils, the 7 Devils is the preferred way. Like John says, The Coos Bay Bridge (McCullough) bridge is just a few minutes to cross.  The OR DOT has been doing renovation work on the bridge; if I recall correctly, they have installed a "Bikes on Bridge" flashing light. 


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[PeteJack]

Depending on how much of a hurry I'm in it would appear that my optimum route would be to take the bridge bypass: much longer than six minutes but pleasant riding with nice views and a couple of short steep ones but pancake flat for most of it, until you get into the city. Then make your way to Newmarket St. (it looks about 3-4 miles on the ACA map) and rejoin the direct route. On this trip getting rear ended earlier in the year had left me nervous about bridges (and tunnels). This is what I'll try should I ever go that way again.