Willamette Valley short cut on old TA route?

[mattdwyerva]

Thinking of cutting 11 miles off tomorrow on tour from Eugene to Monmouth OR by taking what may be the old TransAm route if I understand OSM maps.   Following official TA route to Coburg, then staying on Coburg Rd to Harrisburg OR, and then taking Peoria Rd to Peoria OR.  Not a lot of services, but some in Harrisburg.   Seems to be paved per google street view with small shoulders, and should be reasonably low traffic as it is not a state highway. 

Any issues with this? 

Matt

[John Nettles]

I looked at the RWGPS heatmap to see what the locals do.  Note there is a Coburg Rd and a N Coburg Rd out of Coburg.  The popular route is to take N Coburg Rd then left onto Priceboro Rd into Harrisburg but that just may be because ACA's routes skews it over Coburg Rd which is used also, just not as much. 

Looking at various maps, I would try your route or perhaps the "popular" (based on heatmap) route that is between Peoria Rd & ACA's Route.

As you are guessing, there might or might not be a reason local cyclists avoid Peoria Rd, i.e. dogs, lots of dump trucks, smelly pig farm, who knows. 

Best wishes, John

[mattdwyerva]

Thanks, John, we'll likely try it and report back when possible.

[jamawani]

"Between Corvallis and Eugene do not take 99W. Take Peoria Road to Harrisburg, then take Coburg Road from Harrisburg to Eugene. Peoria road has a nice wide shoulder all the way and very light traffic, you'll enjoy this ride."

Shifty, 03-13-2009
(Kinda long ago - things change)

https://www.bikeforums.net/pacific-northwest/518372-low-traffic-route-portland-eugene.html

[mattdwyerva]

Thanks, and you're right, Peoria Rd and Coburg Rd were both quite pleasant.

Not remarkable, but traffic was not bad and there was a modest shoulder.

North of Corvallis, 99W was very busy and unpleasant.  There is a very generous shoulder on 99W, which narrows to 12" to 18" at bridges, which was scary in heavy traffic since some idiots drive partly on the shoulder.  We bailed off 99W eventually to Helmick Rd which has no shoulder but no real traffic either, so wayyyyyy nicer, IMO. 

[Ty0604]

Sorry for the late reply but I rode Peoria Rd often when I lived in Portland and it was never an issue. My first tours were the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. A lot of lessons learned on those roads.