Linking the Sierra Cascade and Pacific Coast Routes

[StuartB]

Hi all,

I am from New Zealand, and planning to complete a tour in the USA through August. At this stage, my plan is to start at Truckee (6 August) and head north along the Sierra Cascade route. I was think that I would complete two sections, north and then cross over via Portland and link up with the Pacific Coast route and finish up in Vancouver. It is my goal to finish in Vancouver, so this made sense to me.

I would love some feedback around this given I have not toured in the US before. Do people think, i am better to complete the Sierra Cascade Route to Sumas, WA or would my proposal work out OK? If I'm honest, I am probably just keen to visit Portland and thought the northern part of the Pacific Coast route looked interesting and offered a nice contrast to being inland for the initial part of my trip.

Keen to hear what people have to say.

Kind regards,
Stuart

[aggie]

You can easily join the Pacific Coast route from Portland by using Hwy 30 to Astoria or using the Lewis and Clark route.  As you head north from Astoria you will generally have headwinds all the way to Vancouver. 

[Nyimbo]

I haven’t ridden the Sierra Cascade route except for local day rides on some sections like Crater lake and Lassen National Park. (I live close to Truckee) but I’ve been on most of the route you describe by car in various trips.  I think the plan looks very reasonable.  I love Portland too.  It’s an awesome city so if you want to spend some time there this should work well.  From Astoria north you won’t be spending so much time on the coastline as you would going south so I think riding on the inland side of the road shouldn’t be a problem..


I would probably prefer to cross over to the coast passing through Eugene to Florence and the enjoy some of the most beautiful coastal section going up the Oregon coast but that’s me and I have already visited Portland several times.

[StuartB]

You can easily join the Pacific Coast route from Portland by using Hwy 30 to Astoria or using the Lewis and Clark route.  As you head north from Astoria you will generally have headwinds all the way to Vancouver. 

Thanks aggie. That sounds like some sole destroying head wind! This may be enough to change my plan, and remain on the Sierra Cascade all the way North!

[StuartB]

I haven’t ridden the Sierra Cascade route except for local day rides on some sections like Crater lake and Lassen National Park. (I live close to Truckee) but I’ve been on most of the route you describe by car in various trips.  I think the plan looks very reasonable.  I love Portland too.  It’s an awesome city so if you want to spend some time there this should work well.  From Astoria north you won’t be spending so much time on the coastline as you would going south so I think riding on the inland side of the road shouldn’t be a problem..


I would probably prefer to cross over to the coast passing through Eugene to Florence and the enjoy some od the most beautiful coastal section going up the Oregon coast but that’s me and I have already visited Portland several times.

Thanks for your comments Nyimbo. It would be nice to see some coastline especially after having been so far inland for a while. I'm still pondering at this stage. I'm keen to hear if I am missing out on some great scenery etc. by not completing the last leg of the SC route.

[aggie]

I recommend you do a search on the Pacific Coast route.  You should find the info you are seeking.  You will also find that most do the route North to South because of the prevailing winds.

[J Griffin]

heading north on the pacific coast route, the prevailing wind is from the northwest, just an fyi.  lots of fresh seafood though!  Another route you could take is to continue north and join with highway 97 into The Dalles, Oregon, then turn west into Portland.  Of course that would mean you'd skip the entirety of Oregon's coast, which is pretty nice, admittedly. 

[adrian99]

Thanks for your comments Nyimbo. It would be nice to see some coastline especially after having been so far inland for a while. I'm still pondering at this stage. I'm keen to hear if I am missing out on some great scenery etc. by not completing the last leg of the SC route.

StuartB, I'd be curious to hear what you decided and how it turned out!!

[Nyimbo]

Yes, I would love to hear as well. We don’t often get to hear the results of tours that are deliberated And discussed here in the forums.