Prime Pedaling
By Erin J. Bernard
Published: 06/23/2015  Updated: 08/13/2019
Pedaling toward Cape Blanco Lighthouse on the proposed Wild Rivers Scenic Bikeway near Port Orford
Pedaling toward Cape Blanco Lighthouse on the proposed Wild Rivers Scenic Bikeway near Port Orford  Photo by Timothy Scahill
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Gear up for cycling on these freewheeling Oregon coastal byways. You can discover shipwrecks, forts, stunning vistas, giant rivers and beautiful lighthouses, while enjoying the great outdoors from the seat of your bike.

Biking on the Oregon Coast belongs on every Pacific Northwest bucket list: the salt-wind whipping through your wheel spokes as you pedal along panoramic ocean bikeways, quads burning and heart pumping. The Oregon Coast Bike Route, which straddles 370 formidable miles of the state's rugged coastline, remains the holy grail for coast-bound cyclists, but the logistics can be tricky and the preparation intense. These six shorter, safer routes offer cycling newbies and amateurs a piece of the action: tackle small elevation gains and short jaunts along US Highway 101, ramble slowly down flatter paved paths with kids and pets in tow or start slow and work your way up to more challenging routes. You'll see lighthouses near places like Newport and Long Beach, catch sight of amazing vistas along the coastlines in Bandon and Port Orford or keep it a bit more urban in Astoria. There's a signature ride for bikers of all tastes and abilities on the Oregon Coast.
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Prime Pedaling