Oregon Coast Fat Tire Bike Beach Riding Tips
Fat Tire Bikes are quickly becoming the new rave on the Oregon Coast. With 363 miles of breath taking coastline stretching from the Columbia River to the California boarder it’s no surprise Fat Tire biking has grown in popularity on the Oregon Coast. Once people started to figure out they could actually ride these bikes on the beach, bike and beach enthusiasts alike quickly jumped on board. If you love the beach and you love bikes then you’ve got give fat tire biking on the beach a try.
With a wide 4” tire these bikes can cruise over sand and rough terrain with ease. There are limits though. Don’t think you can go ride uphill through 6” deep sand and expect to have fun. We’ve found they work best on the hard pack sand exposed on the flatter beaches at mid to lower tides. The bikes will go through deeper sand with lower tire pressure, but it is a bit more work.
If you’d like to try one out before committing to purchasing a fat tire bike, there are several shops that rent fat bikes on the Oregon Coast. Bike Newport in Newport and Safari Town Surf in Lincoln City. Both shops have a daily rate of $50/ day. Both Newport and Lincoln City also just happen to have some of the best beach areas for fat tire biking. In Newport try South Beach State Park and head south. In Lincoln City start at Roads End State Park and head south.
Fat Tire Bike Beach Riding Tips
- Check the tides! You don’t want to get trapped around a headland after the tide comes in.
- Look at the beach your considering to ride before going. Check for any safely hazards. Is there enough beach to safely ride at the tide you’re planning to go.
- We recommend flatter beaches and mid to lower tides for better hard packed sand which is easier to ride on.
- Check the wind and try to work with the wind and not against it. In the summer months it’s often best to plan your ride from south to north. We recommend starting in the morning when the winds are calm and then when the NW wind comes up later in the day it will be at your back when you turn around and are riding back. Another option is to ride with the wind and have someone pick you up at a pre determined location.
- Don’t ride your bike in the salt water! It is very hard on the bikes.
- Rinse your bike with fresh water after your ride. This will help get the corrosive elements off your bike.
- Lube your bike with a high quality lube.
- Bring an extra fat tire tube and flat repair tools and a small pump. You don’t want to get trapped 5 miles down the beach and end up having to walk all the way out pushing your broken bike.