Kids on Pacific Coast Route?

[BajaTed]

I'm planning to take 7 kids from the Canadian Border to Astoria, Oregon this summer.  The youngest is 3, he'll be in a bike seat, the others are 7 to 10 and their longest rides so far have been Long Beach to Laguna Beach (about 40 miles).  Our plan is to ride about 30 miles a day.

Has anyone riddden this route with kids?  Tips or ideas for fun places to stop, things to avoid, etc?

[wroseweir]

I rode the route form Seattle South to Longview then east to estoria and wouldnt do it with kids, it wsa back country riding and not much fun, I woul look at gooing teh Olimpia route if i was u.

[johnsondasw]

You don't indicate what route you intend to take. If you're talking about road bikes on the highway 101 route, I wouldn't take kids that age on it.  It's a highway that's great for experienced adult riders, but that kind of riding with kids is taking a chance.  You can't at times drift in the lane or, like most highway riding, be anything but super steady--cars and trucks go by 60-70 mph, etc.  And around Lake Cresent on the north part of the Olympic Peninsula, there is a 10 mile section, very curvy, with no shoulder.  You need to be a savvy, mature, esperienced rider to do this kind of riding.

That said, I admire the idea of getting the kids out there on adventures.  I suggest the Trail of the Couer d' Alene, 150+ miles of paved trail  )round trip) in gorgeous mountain/forest country across N Idaho--with easy RR grades and no car traffic!  Google it and check it out.

Good luck, and have fun.

[mucknort]

I'm planning to take 7 kids from the Canadian Border to Astoria, Oregon this summer...

Garsh, wouldn't it be nice if folks like BajaTed came back and wrote how their experience went, sure would be helpful to others. How 'bout it BT???

[tpejoe]

I would recommend taking the 3 yr old in a burley trailer, a child seat would be too uncomfortable for the longer days. The trailer will give them space and comfort. Take toys and a favorite blanket and let the child sleep on the road.