N. Washington coast; peninsula or inland?

[chipg]

We are riding the Washington coast (N to S) this summer (Late July/early Aug).  I have been looking at "Bicycling the Pacific Caost" by Kirkendall and Spring and am trying to find more information about taking either the Olympic Peninsula or the inland (down the sound) route.  Does anyone have any thoughts on which would be a better route? I will be traveling with my wife and my son (15 y.o.). Neither have much touring background.

Thanks,
Chip

[Badger]

With new riders the inland route I think would be better there are more services availble that way.

[erniegrillo]

My wife and I rode from our home in Sammamish/Bellevue to CA a few years ago and took the inland route, riding to Bremerton - Shelton then picking up hwy 101 near Westport and riding it all the way south. The northern WA coast road only follows the ocean for a few miles. Although scenic, you will not have many ocean views. The inland route has as many saltwater views as the coast, is scenic and has more services (stores, camping and hotels). Also, depending on where you are starting, the coast route can be much longer. Do not miss the southern Wa Coast from Westport south to Oregon, it will be some of the nicest scenery you will find.

[BigBlueToe]

My recollection (from driving up there many years ago) is that the route around the peninsula is miles and miles of 2-lane highway through huge trees - nothing to see but trees.  You seldom see the ocean.  And there are lots of logging trucks barreling past.

I rode from Bremerton down the inside route to the Oregon border.  Hood Canal was beautiful, but from the turn onto 101 down to Montesano it was mostly the same - nothing to see but trees, although these were often huge fields of Christmas trees.

I would recommend the shorter, inland route.  Get down to the Oregon Coast as quickly as you can.

From where are you starting?  Some of the best riding up there is from Bellingham to Seattle via Whidbey Island (with a side trip to the San Juans a very worthwhile detour.)

[LobodeSolo]

I chose the inland route as the book showed less hills than the coast. It also says there is less rain!!! I would have hated to see the rain on the coast as it pelted down rain until I got to the Columbia River. I have since driven the Olympic Penninsula and it isn't as hilly as portrayed. (Easy to say in a car!!) There are a lot of logged out areas and trucks and not as scenic as one would hope. I took the ferry from Sidney BC to Anacortes (Awesome) and then to Port Townsend and through to Astoria. I agree that the faster you get to Oregon the better! Have a blast!!