Astoria or Florence?

[MarkM]

Do most Transamerica route riders start at Florence or Astoria? I'm leaving west to east next summer and I'm wondering if Starting at Florence is better because early June will still be the rainy season. Skipping the Astoria to Florence part will allow me to get through the mountains to dryer climate [I hope] faster. Any thoughts?

Mark

[John Nelson]

I have no idea, but I would guess more start/end in Florence, since it saves several days and many TransAm cyclists are already stretched to the limit on time available. The advantage to Astoria is primarily that the route then includes the beautiful Oregon coast, besides the fact that Astoria itself is pretty interesting. Also, it seems to me that transportation between Portland and Astoria is easier to arrange than transportation between Florence and Portland. There is good bus service between Astoria and Portland, and it starts/ends at the same place as the train to/from the Portland airport.

[staehpj1]

We found that we were over the coastal range and in drier climate very quickly after Florence.  So if avoiding rain is a big deal for you that might be a plus.  On the other hand a little rain really isn't such a big deal.

We wanted to see a bit of the coast so we started a bit above Florence and headed east when we got to Florence and thought that worked out well.  It seemed like a good compromise.

[Shane]

I chose Florence because of the time issue, 3 days later i was in the high desert (left the Transam after that though )

[jamawani]

Let me be contrary and pick c) Other.

The Oregon coast is so spectacular - you really are losing out if you miss it entirely.
Maybe miss the stretch just south oF Astoria - which is inland and busy.
Inland and busy around Tillamook - also pretty tacky north of Newport.

But the very bestest stretch is around Yachats - between Newport and Florence.
Also, Newport is pretty easy to get to with public transportation.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/PT/docs/INTERCITY/DOT-Folder-Summer2011.pdf?ga=t

There are a couple of good bike shops in the middle of town.
Plus a state park with hiker/biker campsites just south of town.
So why not consider starting in Newport?

[Spokey]

We did kind of (c) Other and kind of (b) Astoria. 

We shipped our bikes to Seattle and started there.  Basically took the ferry across the sound and biked to the coast.  Down the coast to Astoria and then followed the Trans-Am route.

We left June 17 (2003).  We had one day of riding in the rain in Wa.  Didn't have any rain at all until we got to Austin Junction and that was after quitting time although we cut it close.  I think the tent was not quite up when the rain started.  Didn't have any other rain until I left my brother in Missoula.  That was exactly a month and ~1250 miles.

[staehpj1]

Let me be contrary and pick c) Other.

The Oregon coast is so spectacular - you really are losing out if you miss it entirely.
Maybe miss the stretch just south oF Astoria - which is inland and busy.
Inland and busy around Tillamook - also pretty tacky north of Newport.

But the very bestest stretch is around Yachats - between Newport and Florence.
Also, Newport is pretty easy to get to with public transportation.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/PT/docs/INTERCITY/DOT-Folder-Summer2011.pdf?ga=t

There are a couple of good bike shops in the middle of town.
Plus a state park with hiker/biker campsites just south of town.
So why not consider starting in Newport?

That is what we did.  We shied away from the buses because their racks only held two bikes.  For us at the time we found that a rental car worked out best for our group of three.  We flew into Portland, rode to the motel, picked up a rental car in the morning, used the rental car for the day to see Portland and the surrounding area.  We stayed in the state park north of Newport and dropped off the car in time to only pay for one day.

The ride from Newport to Florence was great!

[yumadons]

We're flying United into North Bend / Coos Bay, 48 miles south of Florence. You can ship bikes boxed on United for $100. We're UPSing them to Moe's Bike Shop instead, 2 miles from the airport, advertises "the biggest bike shop on the Oregon Coast" because there's a chance United won't be able to get both bikes on the puddle jumper into North Bend.

Suzanne
W2E TransAm leaving Aug 1