(Ireland to...) Vancouver to San Francisco

[IrishRover]

Hi there...

This will be my first cycling trip and I've millions of questions. But will start with a few...maybe someone out there can be of help?

1. I'm thinking of starting my trip at end June from Vancouver. Am I mad (traffic, weather, wind)?
2. Camping along the way - will it be crazy busy?

Tnx

[staehpj1]

Sounds like fun...  The Pacific coast is beautiful and there are hiker/biker sites pretty frequently.  There will be traffic, but it will be manageable.

Be sure to enjoy the seafood, there are some nice little "fish shacks" along the way.  I still remember the oysters I had for lunch in 2007 at the Waldport Seafood Company.

It is a great place to tour and the end of June should provide decent weather.

[gregg]

I'll second staehpj1 recommendation. End of June is an excellent time, the wind should be behind you, the rainy season is over, and you should have an excellent trip. Have fun!

[geegee]

I would highly recommend taking the ferry to Vancouver Island and hopping into Washington state from there. The route around the Olympic Peninsula is much more peaceful than the inland route if dropping by Seattle is not important to you.

You will never be turned away from a state park along the coast if you are on a bike. The hiker/biker sites are usually large open areas with enough capacity to handle the peak season.

Make sure you take good protective eyewear with you. Wood chips and sawdust flying off the frequent logging trucks can be quite annoying.

[waynemyer]

Definitely a great time weather-wise.  Around the 4th of July weekend, the traffic will be horrendous and campgrounds will be busy on the coast.  As geeg mentioned, you usually won't be turned away at a state park on bike.

If you are interested in swinging over to Portland Oregon and seeing some sights, I am happy to host touring cyclists.  I am on WarmShowers.org (http://www.warmshowers.org/users/waynemyer).

[johnsondasw]

I would highly recommend taking the ferry to Vancouver Island and hopping into Washington state from there. The route around the Olympic Peninsula is much more peaceful than the inland route if dropping by Seattle is not important to you.

Geeg is right.  I toured around the Olympic Peninsula in 2004.  It was one of the best short tours I've taken.  There are great ocean views, miles of wonderful forests, little traffic (on weekdays), nicely spaced towns/services.  I'd do that any day rather than take the standard route.

[IrishRover]

Thanks All! Just the reassurance I needed to really springboard my planning!
And thanks geeg - will definitely look into the Vancouver ferry....another thing to pack - my sea legs!!

[geegee]

The easiest ferry to get to from downtown Vancouver would be the Horseshoe Bay—Nanaimo route. See map below. Getting to Tsawwassen involves catching a bus through the Massey tunnel where bikes are not allowed. Biking from Nanaimo to Victoria adds a bit of time but it is worth it and you'll get to see a nice part of British Columbia. There are at least two ferries between downtown Victoria BC and Port Angeles WA



If you like taking ferries so much and have time on your hands, an island hopping route is possible:

[IrishRover]

geeg - that reply was great!
You indulged two of my favourite pastimes - ferries and looking at maps! 

Can I ask you another question? Do you think a short detour to Whistler is a nice bike ride or would I save my legs and just go by public transport? 

thanks again!

[geegee]

They widened the Sea-to-Sky highway to Whistler for the Olympics and I have not ridden it. It is supposed to have good cycling shoulders. BC's highways in general are great for cycling. The problem with going up to Whistler is you'll have to ride back. Maybe you could take the bus out there and ride back (meaning you'll be on the cliff edge for full dramatic effect).

[johnsondasw]

[quote author=IrishRover link=topic=6990.msg34362#msg34362 date=12717070

Can I ask you another question? Do you think a short detour to Whistler is a nice bike ride or would I save my legs and just go by public transport? 


[/quote]
And check the weather for this part of the trip, especially.  I've been rained on hard in midsummer around there twice, and I've only been there four times.

[IrishRover]

Thanks geeg / johnsondasw... great stuff!
Thanks so much.