An all-new guide to the most popular long-distance bike tour in the United States The Pacific Coast route is the most popular bike touring route in the U.S., according to Mountaineers Books' non-profit partner, the Adventure Cycling Association. And for 33 years, our very own Bicycling the Pacific Coast was the most popular guidebook to this venerable route, until now! Cycling the Pacific Coast continues the trusted legacy with an all-new, extensively resarched, completely re-ridden, and comprehensive guidebook. It features the most up-to-date info on this amazing route. Author Bill Thorness, who has lived and cycled in the Pacific Northwest since the mid-1980s, shares his favorite sights and stops along this amazing coastal journey. Cycling the Pacific Coast is organized in five sections: Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Central California, and Southern California, and is useful to riders who plan to do the trip as one epic ride or break it up to pedal sections at a time. Features include: Suggested itineraries for the entire ride, or for one- and two-week trips - Logistics for getting to and from various ride sections, and for visiting must-see cycling destinations like Seattle and Portland, even though they are not on the main route - Airport and train-station connections in all major cities (Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego) - Alternate routes to take on lower Vancouver Island (Canada), Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and Norther California's "Lost Coast" - Fascinating and fun side-trip destinations in 5 cities, on 2 islands, and in 2 wine country regions Readers new to cycle touring will find equipment information, packing advice, and safety tips, among other helpful trip suggestions. And all riders will find the guidance to experience the trip of a lifetime. "...nothing less than the definitive guidebook for those traveling the 2,000 miles from Vancouver, BC, to the Mexican border." -- Gene Bisbee ― Biking Bis "Previously the author of Mountaineers Books’ “Biking Puget Sound,” Thorness’ mind for detail and eye for what’s best about the West makes him an adviser you can trust as you venture two-wheeled out on the sometimes perilous but frequently rewarding tour of coastal byways." -- Cantwell J. Brian ― Seattle Times Cycling the Pacific Coast is great as a standalone guide or as a companion to your map set. It has detailed route information, tips for loaded touring, and tons of information on what to see when you get where you're going. -- Dan Meyer ― Adventure Cyclist Cycling the Pacific Coast is an epic ride, and I am proud to be the author of this new book about such a great adventure. It took me two years of research and many thousands of miles of riding to create the book. I loaded my bike with all the gear needed to be self-supporting--plus the gear to research the book, write about the route and photograph its great places. Pedaling off into the Pacific Coast sunshine is a freeing experience. Ending the days by sinking my toes into chilly ocean water washed away any aches from the day's cycling. Particularly joyful were making new friends around the hiker-biker camp corral, discovering new places along the route, and revisiting some of my favorite places on Earth, such as Northern California's mighty Redwoods. I have tried to capture the sights, sounds and feelings of this journey, as well as provide an accurate route guide. I hope it will help many readers and cyclists enjoy an epic adventure. "Cycling the Pacific Coast is the perfect companion guide for planning and navigating one of the most beautiful cycling routes on the planet!" --Jim Sayer, executive director, Adventure Cycling Association The Pacific Coast bicycle route runs the length of the West Coast, from Vancouver, British Columbia, nearly 2000 miles to the Mexico border. Cycling the Pacific Coast is the only comprehensive guidebook to this venerable route--thoroughly researched, mile by mile, to make sure you get the most out of your journey. With five sections: Washington, Oregon, and Northern, Central, and Southern California, this guide will help you chip away at it over a lifetime or pedal it all in a couple months. Plan your epic adventure with detailed route segments that include distances, elevation gain, descriptions, turn-by-turn mileage logs, and maps. Contemplate alternate routes and side trips, including the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, east to Portland in Oregon, and the Lost Coast in California. Other helpful features include: Logistics for key route access points - Trip planning, packing, and safety advice - Orientation tours of cities along the route - Airport and transit guidance for major cities - Details about campgrounds - Suggested itineraries for the entire route or shorter trips - Descriptions designed to complement the ACA route maps - Can't-miss major sites (and kitschy local attractions too!) - Downloadable cue sheets for the ful