The stretch between Cape Meares and Cape Kiwanda is one of the few stretches of Pacific Coast where highway 101 isn’t directly on the Ocean. On most coastal rides, this glorious section passes by all too fast. If you’ve done Three Capes 300k, you know what I’m talking about. The intent with Maxwell Mountain 200k is to maximize your time spent “on the coast but not on Highway 101.”
We’ll start and end in Oceanside. The several hundred foot cliff surrounding the town is Maxwell Mountain. Lodgings are plentiful, there are a few cafes in town, and there’s a grocery store in nearby Netarts. Riders are encouraged to coordinate room and ride sharing on our Slack group. Please reach out if you have any trouble and I can help out.
The route takes you along Netarts Bay, over Cape Lookout, and into the dunes of Pacific City. After the first highway stretch, you’ll detour into the coast range for some extra punchy climbing. There’s a tiny stretch of gravel climbing along the way (about a mile) but nothing to worry too much about. After the summit, a ripping descent takes you back west. Make sure to stop at Left Coast Coffee at the southern end of Lincoln City. Then you’ll head back north along Devils Lake and then hop on 101 again.
Here you’ll hit the only sketchy section on this route (marked with a POI). It’s really brief but might take you by surprise after all the really chill riding. Right near the Bluebird Station Bicycle Company ironically, the shoulder on 101 disappears along an inside corner, which will hide you from cars. Put on your vest, take the lane, do whatever you need to ensure that somebody doesn’t sneak up on you in the middle of that turn.
Another jam over Slab Creek puts you back in Neskowin. There are a few tiny detours here that get you off 101, that you didn’t do outbound because it would have required crossing the road. Then it’s back over Cape Lookout and along the bay back into Oceanside. Take a quick shower, grab some food, and head on down to the beach to watch the sunset!
Registration open until midnight on Wednesday, 5/6/26.
Email to follow on 5/7/26 with waiver and cue sheet.
Check-in 6ish-6:55 a.m. Ride start: 7 a.m.