When you do your planning, make sure you consult the tide tables. You want to ride in as low a tide as possible because the capes along here are not rideable at higher tides, which will cut your trip frustratingly short if you’re not prepared. Also, low tide exposes more of the harder rideable sand.

Get your ride started in Cannon Beach and head south toward Haystack Rock. For a quick and easy ride, cruise up to the rock and explore the beach as far south as you’d like.

To take on the full ride, keep heading south along the coast. You’ll come across plenty of small rocks to ride over and jump off. The knowledge of cars along Highway 101 up above you soon fades away as you realize how alone you are on this part of the beach. The first challenge will be riding between the large rocks of Humbug Point—at low tide you can even ride around the outside of them.

The smooth, fast beach will bring you to what looks like a dead end at Hug Point. As you get closer, though, you’ll see there is a small road around the lower portion of the cape. This is an old wagon road that was the original Hwy 101. As you get onto the rocky trail, look down to see the old wagon wheel marks still left in the rock. As you roll around the end of the road, you’ll feel the waves crash against the west side of the rock for a ride that is sure to spike your adrenaline. Note: At anything above half tide, this section will not be rideable. Getting back onto the beach on the south side will likely involve getting your feet wet.

Now that your blood is pumping, it’s time for some more exploring. Next, you’ll find some waterfalls off to your left that you can climb up and explore for a little break from your bike. Further down the beach, you’ll run into a host of caves that makes a great place for a unique lunch stop. Once you reach the town of Arch Cape, it’s time to turn around and head back down the beach. For a quicker way home, you can also jump up on Hwy 101 to ride the road back into Cannon Beach.

Just to the south in Manzanita, at Bahama Mama’s, you can find some simple single-speed fat bikes. Cannon Beach has a couple of locations to rent beach cruisers, which will also do the job. Wheel Fun Rentals has bike rentals while Surfsand Resort has free bikes for hotel guests.

Lodging

• Surfsand Resort - Resort walking distance to everything and right on the beach. They even have fat bike cruisers to borrow.
• Inn at Cannon Beach - Quite hotel with a view.

Dinning

• Public Coast Brewing - Tacos and beer. What more could you want?
• Driftwood Restaurant - Have a nice dinner after a fun day of adventure.