Each of the 7 Wonders of Oregon offers a different, exciting ride. To celebrate this, we asked seven of the best bicycle builders in the state to each build a one-of-a-kind bicycle, one for each of our 7 Wonders. This bike was built for the Oregon Coast.
In some places, riding is as much a state of mind as it is a physical activity. Joseph Ahearne captures the feel of riding alongside the ocean perfectly: “At the beach you’re really riding with no destination in mind — it’s the trip itself that is the draw. It’s such a unique environment that just moving around in it is beautiful.”
This ethereal sense of environment was the driving force behind the fat-tire beach cruiser he designed and built for riding at the Oregon Coast. There’s no mistaking this bike for anything other than what it is: the giant 4-inch-wide tires tell you that this is an all-terrain vehicle, able to ride on virtually any surface – including a sandy beach.
“It’s interesting that fat bikes were originally designed for snow – you can plow through just about anything on this bike,” he says. That capability is enhanced by some of the design elements; besides the cartoonish tires, the gearing is purposely very low to allow the rider to spin through loose sand or dirt, and the frame features a semi-step-through top tube that’s slanted severely downward for easy jump-off in a tight spot.
And Joseph was sure to imbue the bike with some of the laid-back nature of the beach culture – it has a front rack designed to carry two six-packs to a beach party, plus a flask carrier for enjoying a relaxed drink while viewing a coastal sunset. And the bike frame is painted a shade of blue meant to reflect the ocean.
The total package adds up to one overall experience for the rider: “First and foremost, this bike is fun. The first time I got on a fat bike – it was that sense like the first time I ever rode a bike: a weird freedom, and a giddiness. On this bike you feel you can literally go anywhere.”
This bike is size medium/large, suitable for those 5’8″ to 5’11″ tall.
Additional Resources
- Take a fat bike tour (or just rent fat bikes) with Bike Newport.
- In September, ride the Oregon Coast’s iconic Highway 101 supported with the People’s Coast Arthritis Bike Classic.
- Visit the coast’s bike-friendly businesses.
- Are you a gravel grinder? Sign up for the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic and see what you’re made of.
This bike was found by Mark Hendrix at Cape Blanco State Park on August 1, 2015.
