Back roads to the Oregon coast

[keithu]

I had the day off and took a short ride out to the Oregon coast. US-20 is the main route between Albany and Corvallis in the Willamette Valley and Newport on the coast, but at Blodgett I veered off onto the twistier, lesser known Nashville Road. In Nashville I turned onto the even lesser known back way into Siletz. I remembered that this road had a few miles of gravel, but I thought it would be fine.

This road needs more gravel. The wet earth was rather snotty in places and my front wheel was really loose. Fortunately it didn't last long and I made it through.

At Siletz I turned north and followed the Siletz River to the coast. At US-101 I turned south briefly. I'd hoped to explore Salishan Spit, but it seems to be blocked by some gated communities in Gleneden Beach.  Bummer. I continued south on US-101 to Boiler Bay.

Shortly after Boiler Bay I rode into Depoe Bay, one of the smallest harbors on the US Pacific Coast. Here the ocean crashes into a sea wall at the edge of 101, and it's not unusual for waves to spray across the highway. My FJ had a fine saltwater spray after this stop, so I'll definitely need to wash it down tomorrow.

The channel into Depoe Bay is narrow and turbulent. I can't imagine navigating a boat in and out of this harbor.

I continued south on 101 to Newport, and then rode back inland on US-20. It was a nice little 200 mile loop to kick off two weeks of vacation.

[betoney]

@keithu - It looks like you had some decent weather for a ride, great photos, thanks for posting them.  In that area, besides 34 into Waldport, one of my favorites is Siletz Highway. 

[keithu]

A few more images.

 

A seagull stands watch over the Depoe Bay harbor entrance:

[keithu]

6 minutes ago, betoney said:

@keithu - It looks like you had some decent weather for a ride, great photos, thanks for posting them.  In that area, besides 34 into Waldport, one of my favorites is Siletz Highway. 

Yeah weather was nice, dry and temps around 45-50F. Siletz Highway is fun, but if you haven't ridden Nashville Road between Eddyville and Blodgett definitely add it to your list. It's probably the best kept secret in the coast range.

[keithu]

Bonus round: I had to run to the Yamaha dealer this morning for an oil filter, and took a slight detour up into Santiam Canyon. This is why I love Oregon: coast, valley, and mountains all on the same tank of gas.

[betoney]

@keithu - More great photos, was this on 22 or did you find a side road?

[keithu]

25 minutes ago, betoney said:

@keithu - More great photos, was this on 22 or did you find a side road?

The first and last photos were on OR-22, but the middle three were along the Detroit Dam pumphouse road.

[koth442]

I miss the north coast. It's so unique.