I am a born and raised Warshingtonian. What you say is true. We have an official bike route that crosses the state and I am afraid to ride on it. There are no shoulders on much of it and it is scary to drive on parts of it. The west side of the state has had a population explosion and folks are in a hurry and rude at times. The east side is growing. I moved back to the east side of the mountains in a not yet discovered part of the state. The county roads that I ride on have no shoulders, we have no bike lanes, but 90% of the drivers are polite, even though half are in large pickup trucks. I've been coal rolled once over here, and I like to think it was a tourist from the other side of the state. Today, I rode 35 miles and most folks waved and all shared the road, thank goodness. Our state is working on a rails to trails project, but could do a lot to improve biking elsewhere--like along the official designated state bicycle route. .
I was just out for a 50 Km ride today. I'm on Vancouver Island, so was riding on Highway 19. If you had went north when you got off the ferry in Nanaimo you would have been on 19. I'm up island about 160 km. So I was riding on the shoulder of the 4 lane divided highway, next to nothing for traffic but what I did notice was about 95 percent of all the vehicles moved over into the left lane to pass me, the shoulders on the highway are at least 6 feet wide, maybe more. Most people went past but I had lots honk and wave in a nice way. Dropped back down to highway 19A to get back to town on one of the connector roads. Needed a snack so stopped to grab a handful of trail mix. HUGE DOG came flying out of a farmers driveway, had to haul ass the hell out or there. I had the dog spray but that is the absolute last resort. I like dogs, do not want to hurt them in any way. Got back onto 19A which is just a normal 2 lane, once again people were super polite, moved over when ever they could even though it was not needed. So now you guys are scaring my, I want to ride the Pacific Coast one day. I'm on a trike, much lower and much wider and probably much slower. On edit, just read the comment about starting in Astoria. Might be an Idea.
There are no bike lanes in Nova Scotia Canada .The ride into work is crazy for me pulp trucks no lane just get off the road and wait doesn't stop me .I had a bicep tear which stopped me from riding will be riding to work this summer.Keep up the great videos and have fun riding your bikes.
Thanks for keeping it real. The assumption, that your unemployed because your on a bike....is to funny. I tour on a motorcycle and hear funny stuff also.......but this is probably one of the best bike blogs that Ive seen.......keep up the good work.
Looks like you girls have found out the reasons why we ride on trails only and why, these days, we are getting into gravel biking - so we don't have to deal with the jerksin the pickup trucks yelling obscenities and unkind things towards us and basically coming close to either killing us or doing major bodily harm. I've lost 2 friends to the perils of riding on the road with traffic in Washington state. It's heartbreaking and all of it could have been avoided if there were any decent levels of wide shoulders or dedicated cycle pathways and other facilities. This is why we want to move to the Netherlands or even the Czech Republic/Europe because we just can't take the level of hatred towards bicycles anymore in the US.
Good videos! I just moved to Olympia last year and appreciate the bicycle footage. I am from Texas, so my impression of Washington drivers towards bikes was that they a way nicer. That's not saying much about Texas... anything would have been an improvement!
Welcome back to America. Home of big angry truck motorists. I’m been “smoke rolled”, recipient of a Big Gulp drink bath and ran into a ditch. Maybe everyone will come away from this isolation with kindness and respect for others. I’m an optimist. On another note, all in all, would you recommend that AC route? I’ve been pretty intimidated by them - 2-lane roads, high speeds. There really are no other options without major climbing, I presume.
Yes, we hope so. Like come on people, how are you so threatened by us cycling?! Pretty sure we can learn to share yiiiikes. So, we still LOVED our time on the route. Washington wasn't our favorite for that route (sure there's much better trail riding to be had and it is a beautiful state), and if you're not comfortable riding high traffic roads, maybe give it a miss. Some of the roads were great and others hair raising. However, there are TONS of other people riding the AC Pacific Coast route and for a good reason...it is beautiful. The camaraderie of the cyclsits is great and the Oregon and California coastline was a highlight of our trip. So...maybe start it in Astoria?!
rad bike adventure the big gulp bath was a few years ago but it’s the Midwest. Some motorists are less tolerant on country roads. But now throwing liquids is felony assault in my state and 3 feet to pass law passed. It’s getting better and will continue. Riding during Coronavirus crisis is downright pleasant. People wave and say hello. Weird! 😁
I'm from Olympia and also do a lot of cycling. Road and mountain biking. It was great seeing downtown on your video. Thanks a lot and keep up the great videos. Hey I'm sorry to hear about some of the negative drivers you encountered. For the most part that doesn't usually happen in and around Olympia. Cheers!
We cyclists have always been ill-treated, but still the positive vibe will go On!!!! Just ignore, nice vlog hope your feet is fine as I assume it's good now. I need a Vlog where you teach us How to vlog while cycling, whenever I tried I was really anxious , dropped my camera etc so kindly help us... Cheers & Beers
I don't remember you saying if you happened to take benadryl. It would help with the itch. Also, I am sooo sorry my old stopping ground was really rude and impatient. I grew up in Belfair, Gorst and Bremerton. My family still lives in Mason county. Love your videos. And if ya ever get to the great up and coming mtb mecca of Arkansas. Drop me a DM
It's definitely a real concern but there are routes with less traffic. The PCR is known for being car heavy. Also why we want to do more trail riding and bikepacking. Camping actually wasn't too expensive. In certain places you could definitely wild camp too. And in our experience, the Warmshowers network is great in the U.S.
Beevenom and waspvenom don't have the same allergens so no need to worry about bees if it was a wasp this time. Beevenom is actually more allergenic but more people of the general public gets stung by wasps so allergy to that is more common.
Oh interesting. Didn't know that. I will definitely bring Benadryl with me now and possibly look into an epipen for backcountry trips. Better to be safe...
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) You may want to carry some. Get the generic inexpensive. As soon as the bite/sting occurs take one then every 4-6 hours. May make you drowsy not good if riding in heavy traffic but great for sleeping at night. Declaimed not a Doctor...
Drivers hate to slow down, they will go into the oncoming lane and make them slow or stop, so they won't have to. When passing a bikers. I Really enjoy Rail trails, dirt roads, and Forrest roads
I rode the trans-am 2018 99.9999% of other road users were OK ,however had 3 close calls now i just wave and smile at them instead of giving the fk bird ,but on the 4 one the guy in a pick up truck hit my rain cape other 1 inch it would have been me it scared the crap out of me .the next day i finished the ride 3200 miles just 1000 to go .The fun had gone out of the ride , I Will be back to finish it one day ,but for now I think tour divide 2022 would be a good ride off road.
Dang. can totally relate to that feeling. It sucks that drivers can ruin the experience but it definitely happens (especially in car-dominated U.S.A.). That's what happened to us during the Pacific Coast ride too...thinking that switching to bikepacking in the U.S. might be more our calling. We both also LOVE being in the backcountry. Definitely a different kinda challenge and experience but looking forward to exploring our country from that perspective.
Hi there RAD!, found you recently and really enjoying your videos, particularly this one and the rest of your riding the Pacific Coast. Regarding this one though, just want to apologize about the jerk heads in their oversized trucks being dicks out on the NW roads (speaking of dicks, it’s my contention that those trucks are a replacement for the small size of their mmm, er,..well, anyway, don’t want to go too far down that short ugly road🤪) just sorry there weren’t more adults in that highway room. A bit upsetting as I too plan to tour on down the coast hoping this coming spring, yet I know what potentially awaits. My girlfriend and I headed north to Skagit Valley over the weekend, and found lots and lots of big trucks and trump flags and freeway overpass anti mask protests and a 5 car pile up under that overpass that shut down I-5. seems every time you get a few miles in any direction out of the greater Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area, you enter into big truck and guns and bad attitude ville. Sad but true and yet the NW is so dang beautiful. A frustrating juxtaposition. What planet are we on again?🤣 just glad it wasn’t worse for you. Keep up the great content!! I’ll keep watching!
When I started riding again in 2009 (since mid-80's), the one thing that was a real eye-opener was the distain/hostility toward people on bicycles. Then there are the usual/predictable arguments why bicycles should stay off roads. Ugh!
Yea it really is a bummer. We talked to some folks on our pacific coast ride who said similar. When they toured in the 70s and 80s people were way friendlier to cyclists and to sharing the road. Just have to keep supporting bike infrastructure and hope that kind of attitude changes. I also try to be super friendly to anyone I meet while off of the bike who sees I'm a touring cyclist :)
Yeah, sometimes better to drive to the trail and avoid the busy roads. It is sad, but our culture grows more and more impatient in cars...I've been guilty of it too. Which is why I LOVE being on my bike. Makes me slow down, smile and all around, feel better!
![CYCLING THE PACIFIC COAST | The Willapa Hills Trail [RaD EP 83]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0skzBFYaM0c/mqdefault.jpg)
![CYCLING THE PACIFIC COAST | The Willapa Hills Trail [RaD EP 83]](/img/tr.png)
![CYCLING THE PACIFIC COAST | Coastal Oregon! [RaD Ep 85]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LW7yBjDVLRo/mqdefault.jpg)
I am a born and raised Warshingtonian. What you say is true. We have an official bike route that crosses the state and I am afraid to ride on it. There are no shoulders on much of it and it is scary to drive on parts of it. The west side of the state has had a population explosion and folks are in a hurry and rude at times. The east side is growing. I moved back to the east side of the mountains in a not yet discovered part of the state. The county roads that I ride on have no shoulders, we have no bike lanes, but 90% of the drivers are polite, even though half are in large pickup trucks. I've been coal rolled once over here, and I like to think it was a tourist from the other side of the state. Today, I rode 35 miles and most folks waved and all shared the road, thank goodness. Our state is working on a rails to trails project, but could do a lot to improve biking elsewhere--like along the official designated state bicycle route. .
I was just out for a 50 Km ride today. I'm on Vancouver Island, so was riding on Highway 19. If you had went north when you got off the ferry in Nanaimo you would have been on 19. I'm up island about 160 km.
So I was riding on the shoulder of the 4 lane divided highway, next to nothing for traffic but what I did notice was about 95 percent of all the vehicles moved over into the left lane to pass me, the shoulders on the highway are at least 6 feet wide, maybe more.
Most people went past but I had lots honk and wave in a nice way.
Dropped back down to highway 19A to get back to town on one of the connector roads. Needed a snack so stopped to grab a handful of trail mix. HUGE DOG came flying out of a farmers driveway, had to haul ass the hell out or there. I had the dog spray but that is the absolute last resort. I like dogs, do not want to hurt them in any way.
Got back onto 19A which is just a normal 2 lane, once again people were super polite, moved over when ever they could even though it was not needed.
So now you guys are scaring my, I want to ride the Pacific Coast one day. I'm on a trike, much lower and much wider and probably much slower.
On edit, just read the comment about starting in Astoria. Might be an Idea.
There are no bike lanes in Nova Scotia Canada .The ride into work is crazy for me pulp trucks no lane just get off the road and wait doesn't stop me .I had a bicep tear which stopped me from riding will be riding to work this summer.Keep up the great videos and have fun riding your bikes.
Those belligerent honkers were just 'Jealous' cause the can't find the time to enjoy life! ;-)
Thanks for keeping it real. The assumption, that your unemployed because your on a bike....is to funny. I tour on a motorcycle and hear funny stuff also.......but this is probably one of the best bike blogs that Ive seen.......keep up the good work.
Thanks so much! Yea...people just making fun of other people cause they are jealous in my mind! We always try to laugh it off.
Looks like you girls have found out the reasons why we ride on trails only and why, these days, we are getting into gravel biking - so we don't have to deal with the jerksin the pickup trucks yelling obscenities and unkind things towards us and basically coming close to either killing us or doing major bodily harm. I've lost 2 friends to the perils of riding on the road with traffic in Washington state. It's heartbreaking and all of it could have been avoided if there were any decent levels of wide shoulders or dedicated cycle pathways and other facilities. This is why we want to move to the Netherlands or even the Czech Republic/Europe because we just can't take the level of hatred towards bicycles anymore in the US.
I should try bicycling in Olympia. Looks cool.
Good videos! I just moved to Olympia last year and appreciate the bicycle footage. I am from Texas, so my impression of Washington drivers towards bikes was that they a way nicer. That's not saying much about Texas... anything would have been an improvement!
Welcome back to America. Home of big angry truck motorists. I’m been “smoke rolled”, recipient of a Big Gulp drink bath and ran into a ditch. Maybe everyone will come away from this isolation with kindness and respect for others. I’m an optimist. On another note, all in all, would you recommend that AC route? I’ve been pretty intimidated by them - 2-lane roads, high speeds. There really are no other options without major climbing, I presume.
Yes, we hope so. Like come on people, how are you so threatened by us cycling?! Pretty sure we can learn to share yiiiikes.
So, we still LOVED our time on the route. Washington wasn't our favorite for that route (sure there's much better trail riding to be had and it is a beautiful state), and if you're not comfortable riding high traffic roads, maybe give it a miss. Some of the roads were great and others hair raising. However, there are TONS of other people riding the AC Pacific Coast route and for a good reason...it is beautiful. The camaraderie of the cyclsits is great and the Oregon and California coastline was a highlight of our trip. So...maybe start it in Astoria?!
And also...someone threw a Big Gulp at you and rain you into a ditch?! 😱 We need lessons in kindness jeesh
rad bike adventure good call on starting from Astoria! I think we may gain cyclists now and after so that’ll help.
rad bike adventure the big gulp bath was a few years ago but it’s the Midwest. Some motorists are less tolerant on country roads. But now throwing liquids is felony assault in my state and 3 feet to pass law passed. It’s getting better and will continue. Riding during Coronavirus crisis is downright pleasant. People wave and say hello. Weird! 😁
I'm from Olympia and also do a lot of cycling. Road and mountain biking. It was great seeing downtown on your video. Thanks a lot and keep up the great videos. Hey I'm sorry to hear about some of the negative drivers you encountered. For the most part that doesn't usually happen in and around Olympia. Cheers!
I'm so ready to go do this you got me stoked
Do it!
We cyclists have always been ill-treated, but still the positive vibe will go On!!!!
Just ignore, nice vlog hope your feet is fine as I assume it's good now.
I need a Vlog where you teach us How to vlog while cycling, whenever I tried I was really anxious , dropped my camera etc so kindly help us...
Cheers & Beers
I don't remember you saying if you happened to take benadryl.
It would help with the itch.
Also, I am sooo sorry my old stopping ground was really rude and impatient. I grew up in Belfair, Gorst and Bremerton.
My family still lives in Mason county.
Love your videos. And if ya ever get to the great up and coming mtb mecca of Arkansas.
Drop me a DM
Might be kind of fun to list all the countries you’ve been riding through, then rank them as to their cycle friendliness.
Hi there always a pleasure to watch your video ,in these difficult times.
👋🏻 greetings from the netherlands👍
Hi Addy, thanks so much for watching and continuing to send us positive vibes from the netherlands 😊. hope you are well
What kind of bike are you riding on your trip
This is the very reason I’m afraid to cycle USA. Oh, and expensive camping.
It's definitely a real concern but there are routes with less traffic. The PCR is known for being car heavy. Also why we want to do more trail riding and bikepacking. Camping actually wasn't too expensive. In certain places you could definitely wild camp too. And in our experience, the Warmshowers network is great in the U.S.
Beevenom and waspvenom don't have the same allergens so no need to worry about bees if it was a wasp this time. Beevenom is actually more allergenic but more people of the general public gets stung by wasps so allergy to that is more common.
Oh interesting. Didn't know that. I will definitely bring Benadryl with me now and possibly look into an epipen for backcountry trips. Better to be safe...
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) You may want to carry some. Get the generic inexpensive. As soon as the bite/sting occurs take one then every 4-6 hours. May make you drowsy not good if riding in heavy traffic but great for sleeping at night. Declaimed not a Doctor...
Try off road touring! (Aka bikepacking) no cars and much less stress finding great camping. Love the vids!
Yes, that's our plan!!
Drivers hate to slow down, they will go into the oncoming lane and make them slow or stop, so they won't have to. When passing a bikers.
I Really enjoy Rail trails, dirt roads, and Forrest roads
It’s so true. And yes, agreed. Would love to do more rail trail riding in the U.S.
We have bicycle signs where I live. They're white painted bicycles.
Hi Joseph, on the roads? I think that really helps a lot. On the AC Pacific Coast Route we didn't see any until we got to Oregon.
I rode the trans-am 2018 99.9999% of other road users were OK ,however had 3 close calls now i just wave and smile at them instead of giving the fk bird ,but on the 4 one the guy in a pick up truck hit my rain cape other 1 inch it would have been me it scared the crap out of me .the next day i finished the ride 3200 miles just 1000 to go .The fun had gone out of the ride , I Will be back to finish it one day ,but for now I think tour divide 2022 would be a good ride off road.
Dang. can totally relate to that feeling. It sucks that drivers can ruin the experience but it definitely happens (especially in car-dominated U.S.A.). That's what happened to us during the Pacific Coast ride too...thinking that switching to bikepacking in the U.S. might be more our calling. We both also LOVE being in the backcountry. Definitely a different kinda challenge and experience but looking forward to exploring our country from that perspective.
Hi there RAD!, found you recently and really enjoying your videos, particularly this one and the rest of your riding the Pacific Coast. Regarding this one though, just want to apologize about the jerk heads in their oversized trucks being dicks out on the NW roads (speaking of dicks, it’s my contention that those trucks are a replacement for the small size of their mmm, er,..well, anyway, don’t want to go too far down that short ugly road🤪) just sorry there weren’t more adults in that highway room. A bit upsetting as I too plan to tour on down the coast hoping this coming spring, yet I know what potentially awaits. My girlfriend and I headed north to Skagit Valley over the weekend, and found lots and lots of big trucks and trump flags and freeway overpass anti mask protests and a 5 car pile up under that overpass that shut down I-5. seems every time you get a few miles in any direction out of the greater Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area, you enter into big truck and guns and bad attitude ville. Sad but true and yet the NW is so dang beautiful. A frustrating juxtaposition. What planet are we on again?🤣 just glad it wasn’t worse for you. Keep up the great content!! I’ll keep watching!
When I started riding again in 2009 (since mid-80's), the one thing that was a real eye-opener was the distain/hostility toward people on bicycles. Then there are the usual/predictable arguments why bicycles should stay off roads. Ugh!
Yea it really is a bummer. We talked to some folks on our pacific coast ride who said similar. When they toured in the 70s and 80s people were way friendlier to cyclists and to sharing the road. Just have to keep supporting bike infrastructure and hope that kind of attitude changes. I also try to be super friendly to anyone I meet while off of the bike who sees I'm a touring cyclist :)
I noticed people in the US are rude but I never have that many people yell at me.
Hi!!!♡♡♡
Heyooo marc marc!
I use a truck to haul my bike to my riding destination. It's a shame people have to be that rude and inconsiderate on the road.
Yeah, sometimes better to drive to the trail and avoid the busy roads. It is sad, but our culture grows more and more impatient in cars...I've been guilty of it too. Which is why I LOVE being on my bike. Makes me slow down, smile and all around, feel better!