Bicycling The Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada to Mexico, 4th Edition
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I've done this trip 1.5 times: 2005 Canada to Mexico , 2007 Canada to north of San Francisco. Used this book both times, it's a great guide, put it in a solid binder with my diary note paper. There have been some changes (new roads, store closures, etc) that were not in the most recent edition. Almost the entire trip has $4.00 per night hiker/biker camps; it's great and cheap way to travel self-contained; I met great people at almost every campsite, fellow bike tourers. There also are some hostels en route, especially in California, try them all, they're great. I recommend going between Memorial Day and Labor Day; after Labor Day the days are shorter, the weather worse, fewer new friends on the road.
There's a couple Washington alternate routes that are pretty and have much less traffic (1) south of the Canada-US Border: from the Blaine Peace arch at the border crossing (maybe you can bus or train with your bike from Seattle to Blaine) go south on beachfront back roads to Birch Bay (use a Whatcom county map or GoogleMap your path), then through Ferndale to Bellingham, down gorgeous Chuckanut Drive to Anacortes and Deception Pass, then you're back "in the book"; (2) north of Shelton: avoid their suggested freeway by going west on 102, S on W. Highland, onto W. Satsop Rd to Schaefer SP, then south on Middle Satsop to Brady and Montesano, NO traffic and pretty forested country (though some of it is logged). No services on this second route, just lots of quiet.
Oregon and California are pretty straight forward: follow 101 and CA 1 down the coast.
I spent two months riding the entire route alone in 2005 (I was 54) and it absolutely was the trip of a lifetime.
A great book that is very helpful for planning a bike ride down the coast. It points out great spots to visit while on a trip and has great pointers for doing a bike trip.
Other editions - View all
Bicycling the Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada to Mexico Vicky Spring,Tom Kirkendall No preview available - 2005 |
