Does Oregon Have America's Best Bike Trail? | Banks-Vernonia State Trail

I rode all 21 miles of Oregon's Banks-Vernonia State Trail, cycling from peaceful farmland into the towering forests of the Coast Range. Along the way, I discovered one of the most impressive railroad bridges I've ever crossed on a bike! In Episode 18 of 50 Bike Trails in 50 States, I'm exploring one of Oregon's most celebrated paved bike trails, just outside Portland. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail follows a historic railroad corridor between the towns of Banks and Vernonia. What begins as a gentle ride past farmland gradually becomes a beautiful journey through dense forest, with towering trees, wooden bridges, and some surprisingly challenging climbs. And hidden deep among those trees is the incredible 733-foot Buxton Trestle, a spectacular reminder of the railroad that once ran through this landscape. But is spectacular scenery and one unforgettable bridge enough to make Oregon a serious contender for America's best paved bike trail? The trail has plenty going for it, but some rough pavement and limited variety could hurt its chances on the national leaderboard. 🚴 IN THIS EPISODE: Cycling the full 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail Exploring Oregon's Coast Range forests Crossing the spectacular Buxton Trestle Discovering L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Experiencing the trail's climbs, scenery, and pavement conditions Visiting Blue House Cafe in Vernonia for our Trail Stop Scoring Oregon and revealing its national leaderboard ranking 🏆 THE 50 STATES CHALLENGE I'm riding the best paved bike trail I can find in every U.S. state, scoring and ranking each one across five categories: Scenery | Ride Quality | Variety | Amenities | Memorability One trail. One state. One leaderboard. ▶️ Watch the complete 50 States series:    • 50 Bike Trails in 50 States   💬 YOUR TURN: What makes a bike trail truly unforgettable for you? Spectacular scenery, interesting landmarks, smooth pavement, or something else? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe for new cycling adventures every Saturday! #BanksVernoniaTrail #OregonBikeTrails #BikeAcrossAmerica #BikeTrails #Oregon #Cycling #BuxtonTrestle #TravelByBike