Short Course (25 Miles):
As you leave the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area you'll first loop past
the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and then follow the Oregon Coast Scenic Highway Bicycle Route into
Newport. You will pass Agate Beach and Nye Beach before reaching the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse,
at which point you will drop down into the historic Newport Bay Front. Next, enjoy 10 miles
along beautiful Yaquina Bay. Wildlife abounds, so watch for many duck species, blue herons,
egrets and bald eagles along the shore. Beaver, deer and the occasional elk or black bear may
be hiding along the backwaters, while seals, sea lions, and maybe a pelican or two can often
be found in the bay. The rest area, which will have food, drinks, and restrooms, is 1.05 mi.
before the turn-around for this ride. It is your choice to stop before or after the turn-around
(or stop twice!) You'll return to Yaquina Head by retracing your route along the Yaquina Bay and
through Newport with one small variation. At Agate Beach you'll be directed to enter the parking
lot and take the tunnel under US-101; it is much safer than trying to cross US-101 if you had gone
to the north end of Ocean View Drive. The total elevation gain during this ride is just 500 feet.
Extended Metric Century (70 miles):
The short course is extended east on the Yaquina Bay Road with a short half-mile
climb and slightly longer (less steep) decent into Toledo. You'll see just a bit of this
historic mill town and then head north to Siletz. As you leave Toledo you will cross Highway 20 and
follow State Route 229 until you see Yasek Loop to the right. This will allow you a quiet rolling ride
through the hills and farms until Yasek Loop reunites with Hwy 229. After a short easy climb you will
descend into Siletz for your second rest stop. Then you will head north following the Siletz River unit
it ends at Siletz River Bay at Kernville where you will find your final rest stop. Then you will cross
US-101 and head south back to the Finish along the Oregon Coast Bicycle Route. Look at the bottom of the
100-Mile Century description below for a bit more of what to expect along the Oregon Coast Bicycle Route. The
total elevation gain for this ride is 2,500 feet.
Century (100 miles):
The crown jewel! On this ride you'll reach a spectacular coastal vantage point
on Cape Foulweather. If you take the very short (200-ft) side-step at the top, you will most
probably see a whale or two. For this ride, depart the Metric Century course after leaving the
Siletz Rest Stop, and head east to Logsten where you will turn north to Moonshine Park. Here there
is water and toilets before you return to Siletz. You can return again to the Siletz Park for additional
services before heading north along the Siletz River. After meandering through the deep forest country,
& crossing the Siletz River several times, you'll come to Jack Morgan Park where water and toilets are
available. If it is really hot, take a dip in the river before following the Siletz down to Kernville where
you'll find another rest stop. You will then be back to the
Pacific shore, you'll turn North. After a short distance, turn right onto Drift Creek road &
follow quiet backcountry roads into Taft, at the southern edge of Lincoln City, for
the last rest stop. Then the course proceeds along the scenic Oregon Coast Bicycle Route,
including off-Highway loops at Salishan and Gleneden Beach before vistas at Fogerty Creek and
Boiler Bay. Near the end of the ride, you'll proceed up the new Otter Crest Loop bike lane to
the top of Cape Foulweather. From the top you can see Otter Crest, Beverly Beach, Moolack Beach
and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. After a long run down the north side of the Cape, you're just 6
miles from Yaquina Head. The total elevation gain for this ride is 2,800 feet.
