Transportation
Coastal Express - Curry Public Transit Shuttle buses from Smith River California (at the California border) to North Bend / Coos Bay. Connects with Redwood Coast Transit in Smith River, California, and with Pacific Crest Bus Lines in Coos Bay.
Pacific Crest Bus Lines Buses from Coos Bay to Eugene and reverse, with connections to elsewhere too. See their website for schedule, fares, and more. They used to have bike racks on the buses, first come first serve, but they used to carry bike inside in a pinch.
Redwood Coast Transit Shuttle buses from Arcata, California north to Smith River California. Can carry bikes (limited number), call to reserve space.
Pacific Crest Bus Lines Shuttle buses from Coos Bay, Oregon, north to Florence, then inland to Eugene. Can carry bikes (limited number), call to reserve space.
CCAT - Coos Transit Shuttle buses serving Coos Bay, Coquille, Lakeside, Myrtle Point, and North Bend with scheduled routes. Dial-A-Ride services are provided in those areas plus Bandon and Charleston. All Curry Public Transit (Coastal Express) stops in the North Bend / Coos Bay area are also served by CCAT. Bike racks, first come first serve, but can carry bike inside in a pinch.
Weather
Space Weather (different website)
National Weather Service - Southwest Oregon
Tsunami Evacuation Maps and Brochures
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network - earthquake information
Agrimet Network Map - U.S. Dept. of the Interior weather stations
Surf Forecast - Bandon Beach - at tish-tang access just south of Face Rock Park, not at South Jetty or Whiskey Run
Wind Forecast - Flores Lake Boice Cope County Park
Road Conditions
Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck
WSDOT Traveler Information - Road Conditions - Cams
Bandon
Bandon.tv Webcam, photos, weather, tides, events, news, links to other resources
Driving on the Beach - where allowed
The question came up often enough in South Coast Bicycles while I owned it: "Where can one drive on the beach, and where is quad/atv access on the beach?". The following map and documents may help identify access along the coast of Oregon. Except for Snowy Plover season (May 15-Sep 15 each year) access is usually unimpeded on identified beaches. If possible check local knowledge and signage posted too.
Official Oregon State Map - the column with bars/segments in it on the left side of the map shows what type of driving access is allowed on the beach up and down the coast. See the Beach Vehicle Accessibility legend in the upper left of the map too. Zoom in on this PDF map for detail view.
Oregon Secretary of State - Oregon Administrative Rules related to beach access. Detailed official descriptions.
Oregon ATV Guide - short vague description of where ATV use is allowed on Oregon beaches.
NOTE - Permits are required to drive on these public thoroughfare beaches. Permits are $10 and are available through Oregon Parks and Recreation online store or through authorized outlets. See Permit information and links to OPRD online store and Agents who sell the permits at ATV (Cars/Trucks/Quads/Utes/etc) Permit Information.
Somewhat newly required is OPRD requirement that "All operators of Class I (little ATV's) and III (motorcycles) ATVs must have an ATV Safety Education Card" which classes and card information can be found at Oregon ATV Safety Education Card.
Another requirement of note when taking a vehicle on sand in Oregon is that "Red flags displayed nine feet above ground are required when riding on sand". See this in General Equipment Requirements in OPRD FAQ - ATV.
Customers have received formal tickets and warnings from Oregon State Police for not having an ATV Permit sticker and/or a red flag on their vehicle when their vehicle is driven or parked on the beach, in particular at Whiskey Run. (We sell flags in our store, while Permits are available online or at specific Agent outlets).
Fire Restrictions Information
Periodically, fire restrictions/regulated use will be imposed on lands due to danger of fire. When restrictions are in place, according to a telecom with Coos Forest Protective Association, motorized vehicles need to carry an axe or pulaski, a 2 1/2 lb. or larger fire extinguisher or 2 gallons of water, and a shovel. Bicycles (as vehicles) are not subject to the requirements, but other restrictions for responsible access may be applicable.
When regulated use restrictions are put in place, a notice will be issued similar to this one:
PUBLIC FIRE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED
Due to heightened fire danger, the Coos Forest Protective Association is setting limitations on public activities in the forests. Effective Wednesday, June xxth, CFPA will impose a Regulated Use Closure for the general public on all private, county, state and BLM lands in Coos, Curry, and western Douglas counties.
The following is a complete list of restrictions within the Regulated Use Closure:
- Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except within enclosed vehicles or at designated locations.
- Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated, managed (host/manager on site) campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
- Power saw use is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. When permitted, each saw must have one axe, one shovel and one operational fire extinguisher that is of at least 8 ounce capacity. In addition, a fire watch is required for at least one hour following the use of each saw.
- Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles, are only permitted on improved roads free of grass and other flammable debris. All motor vehicles must be equipped with one gallon of water or one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, one axe, and one shovel, except when traveling on state highways, county roads and maintained driveways.
- All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, except when traveling on state highways, county roads and maintained driveways.
- Use of fireworks is prohibited.
- Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present.
- Mowing of dry, cured grass with power driven equipment is prohibited between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
- Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions
Under new Oregon law, the following are prohibited during fire season:
- Sky Lanterns
- Exploding Targets
- Tracer Ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base
To stay current on wildland restrictions for the public and industry, call CFPA’s closure information line at (541) 267-1789 or visit its web site at www.coosfpa.net.
Bike Shops
South Coast Bicycles
Two Wheel Oregon is based near Bandon, Oregon, where South Coast Bicycles is also located, and is the South Coast / Wild Rivers Coast store to for all your cycling needs, before or after your ride! South Coast Bicycles was established/grown by Karl Maxon since 2012 and sold the business to Jeff Botelho in 2020. Call Jeff for sales service, parts, accessories, rentals, professional advice, and much more! Call 541-347-1995 or visit website at southcoastbicycles.com!
Moe's Bike Shop
Moe's is a great shop that has been well established for many many years in North Bend, Oregon. Al Moe lead the establishment of trails of all kinds in the region, has provided great support for events and organizations, and has shown his passion for cycling in all forms over the years. For all your cycling needs! Moe's Bike Shop website appears to be down, but they may be on social media. RIP - sadly, Al Moe passed in May 2022; his tremendous legacy will continue with his family.
Pineapple Express
Erin has established a great shop in Port Orford, Oregon, and has a vast depth of knowledge and passion for adventure rides, and had previously offered tours and shuttles throughout the area! From her website: "Since opening our doors we not only offer bicycle repairs and sales, but also a wide variety of bicycle accessories, surf accessories, and beach items like kites, towels, hats, sunscreens and more!" Erin is also very active in regional mountain bike association and NICA. Visit website at Pineapple Express!
Other - There was a new shop in Gold Beach, Oregon in 2022 called High Hill Cycles, that unfortunately states on their website "not opening in 2023". There was a small repair shop in Bandon that opened in early 2020 which has also "permanently closed" in 2023 according Google.
Wild Rivers Coast Mountain Bicycling Association
WRCMBA is a chapter of the IMBA serving southern Oregon and northern California, sponsoring a NICA team, involved in trail building and mapping, group rides, advocacy, race events, and regular meetings. Contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visit their website for information!