If you need directions from PDX to Astoria through St. Johns

On 4/25/06, j____ at ehs.umass.edu wrote:
Hi, Nate:
I saw your entry for Portland and have a question. I'll be biking out of PDX on a Tuesday in June, headed for Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with three other gents. I'll be headed for Astoria to start the Adventure Cycling TransAm route to Teton (my stop point last year from Virginia). Anyhow, my question is, do you have any recommendations for biking from PDX to Route 30? Thanks,
J_____
Belchertown MA

When you say PDX I assume you mean the actual Airport (we refer to the entire city as 'PDX').
I live on the north end of town between PDX and where your headed, so I can tell you that it is industrial and busy for the most part.
If you have no urban cycling skills there is an acceptable Trimet option, although it is the longest time-wise:
-Take the Red line to the Rose Quarter Transit Center.
-Transfer to the Yellow Line North Towards the Expo Center and Get off at N Portland Blvd.
-Go west on N Portland, make a right on Willamette Blvd.
-Follow this bike lane along the Willamette river over looking Swan Island.
-Make a right on Ida street into St Johns and a left at the Safeway. You'll see the St John's bridge by this time, which you'll cross and be on your merry way to Astoria.
This is a nice ride, with a great view of the city and hottie jogger chicks from Univ of Portland. If you have an extra hour this route will be by far the most enjoyable.
After consulting the map of Portland bike routes I recommend the following for those in a hurry and willing to deal with crappy streets and crazy traffic:
-Exit the baggage claim area and head out with the traffic down Airport Way 1/2 a mile
-make the right on 82nd
-right on Alderwood
-right on Cornfoot
-Left on 47th
-follow 47th as it winds to the right, past Columbia and make the right onto Lombard.
-Lombard is HWY 30, so keep on Lombard until you get to St. John's, where you'll be able to see the St. Johns Bridge, which you'll cross and be on your merry way towards Astoria.
This route avoids the worst section of 82nd Ave., but has you travelling down Lombard, which can be a hassle. I avoided sending you down Colombia, which has less traffic than Lombard, but the route is kinda tricky.
I highly recommend spending $1.65 on train fare and spending an extra hour for the more pleasant first option. If you have mad urban cyclist skills, and are in a hurry to get to Astoria the Lombard Street route is do-able.
Feel free to ask any questions or get clarification.
Nathan Hersey