>>1026749I got into touring while I was doing my undergrad in Corvallis. Salem isn't quite as good, but you're in range of loads of awesome places to ride. Almost anywhere in Suislaw, Willamette, Umqua or Dechutes National Forests can be pretty great. Just because a road is a US highway doesn't mean it's busy. There are loads of smaller roads which go through the Willamette Valley. I don't know about the north side of Salem, but on the south side it's just a question of finding a few which take you where you want to go.
I've had good rides on 223, King's Valley 'Highway', and that can take you down towards Alsea and then Lobster Valley where I've had great trips to in the past. Cascades Lakes Highway is probably my favorite short trip in Oregon, but you'd have to wait a few months for that. I've been up around Detroit too and that's not bad either. If you're willing to spend more time on gravel your national forest options expand a lot.
Some people think that 101 is a nice ride, but it was too busy and built up for my tastes.
This is from my very first multi-day tour on my bike, out at Green Peter Lake, which is certainly in range of Salem. Almost 38,000 miles later I love her more than ever.
