The Route
Length: 27.6 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Full disclosure, this is a big ride — 27.6 miles — so vehicle shuttle is almost required, one for the drop-off and another waiting at the end of the route. Fortunately Bike Newport, our first stop, offers shuttle service to help ease the logistics. The friendly staff are local experts and have all the intel about fat-biking the Oregon Coast. For directions and map details, follow the self-guided Ride with GPS map.
Like any beach ride, the wind is blowing and it’s best to have the wind at your back. On this sunny day the wind came from the north, so we rode southbound to enjoy the extra speed that the tailwind provides. It felt almost serendipitous to start right from Bike Newport and head south.
We pedaled down Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, and climbed over the Newport Bridge, taking in a spectacular view from the top of the bridge. Finishing our warm-up on the road, we took a right turn into South Beach State Park and made our way to the sand along a paved path. Once on the beach, we pointed our fat tires south to start our journey down the shoreline.
Riding along the beach’s massive rock features, we felt like ants among giants. Eventually the solid rock peninsula led us back to the road at Curtis Street and the top of Seal Rock State Recreation Site. We hiked out to the cliff edges and enjoyed our packed lunches while taking in views of the ocean and tidepools. We tried guessing the meanings behind the names of the three large rock formations — Castle, Tourist and Elephant. After a nice break, we were recharged and ready to continue our adventure.
To get around the large rock formations, we stayed on the road until we hit Quail Street, where we took a right to jump back onto the beach. Splashing through a couple of stream crossings down to Waldport kept things exciting.
We left the sand near Bayfront Beach Club and headed south of Highway 101 over the long, flat Alsea Bay Bridge. Just after the bridge, we cruised back onto the beach, dreaming about the cold beers waiting at the finish line. When the sand ended, we hopped onto a singletrack trail guiding us into picturesque Yachats.
After a full day in the saddle, Yachats was a warm welcome — we made our way to a big meal and a local beer (or two) at Yachats Brewing, cheersing to our 27-mile accomplishment.
Bike Rentals
Don’t have a fat bike? Not to fear, Bike Newport has you covered.
Where to Eat
- Nye Beach Cafe: Look no further for the perfect spot to grab a healthy breakfast to properly power a big beach ride.
- Yachats Brewing: Quench your thirst post ride with a replenishing probiotic drink, dark stout or special saison blend — Yachats Brewing has all that and more.
Where to Stay
- Sylvia Beach Hotel: This one-of-a-kind hotel sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean with rooms themed after famous authors and books.
- The Drift Inn: More than a hotel, this place is a destination with a satisfying restaurant menu, live music every night and charming rooms.
