Gravel Biking the Oregon Coast

Gravel Biking

Gravel enthusiasts rejoice! The Oregon Coast is quickly becoming known as a gravel paradise – with our endless networks of forest roads that offer stunning scenery and solitude, the possibilities for routes are endless.

Bikepackers can string together routes from our enormous network of forest trails, or opt to take the classic highway 101 scenic bike route. For riders looking for shorter or more challenging day rides, we’ve partnered with Dirty Freehub to bring you five-star routes that have been tested and vetted.

Gravel Biking Routes

Get stoked to ride the coast

A short video produced by Dirty Freehub, shown at the June 2024 Bicycle Film Festival in Bend, Oregon featuring riding along the Oregon Coast.

Gravel Events

If racing is more your style, you won’t want to miss the epic weekend of gravel competition on the Central Coast.

Two gravel events, one weekend!

• The Oregon Coast Gravel Epic in Waldport
  Start your season with this epic Pacific Northwest spring classic at the coast. This gravel cycling event showcases the raw beauty of ancient Siuslaw National Forests and is geared towards the enthusiast cyclist looking for a well-marked and supported event.
• West Coast Gravel in Yachats
  West Coast Gravel celebrates the explorer in all of us as you make your way to the shores of the Pacific and take on the Siuslaw National Forest’s unforgettable backroads.

Need to Know: Riding Safely

Many of these routes traverse logging roads. Logging trucks are commonly encountered, and you should always read posted signs for guidelines on time of day that riding is allowed.

Signs indicating logging activity include CB channels posted, mile markers, truck tracks in the dirt, pink ribbon, thinning activity, and a well-maintained gravel road.

For safety, we recommend riding single file, using a rear red blinking light, and a front white blinking light. It’s important not to exceed your sight lines, and avoid listening to music, as hearing is crucial to detecting approaching trucks. If you encounter a truck, whether it’s coming towards you or overtaking, stop and place a foot on the ground instead of trying to ride through. Additionally, a friendly wave to the truck driver is always appreciated.

It is also always a good idea to make sure you have offline maps downloaded and backed up, as well as a Garmin or other kind of location device.

HERBICIDE SAFETY

When biking on logging roads, you are also likely to encounter areas where there may be active herbicide spraying. Note that each private property is owned and managed differently. While you will see posted signs notifying of recent spraying, closures, and other safety information, it is ultimately up to the rider to be aware, and contact the manager of the property for all the latest information.