Week-long Cycle Oregon among cancellations
Sawmill Creek Fire, Washington
Check in with the organizers of your weekend bike ride in Washington, Oregon, and California before you head out the door.
Thousands of acres of forests and grasslands are burning in those states, forcing closure of some major annual bicycling events, such as Cycle Oregon.
The smoky, ash-filled air, like that which has settled on Seattle, is one reason for the cancellations. It’s just plain unhealthy to ride.
Another is the need to keep the roads passable for emergency vehicles racing to hot spots.
The largest event to cancel is the Cycle Oregon Classic, which hosts bicyclists on a week-long tour of the state every year.
Others cancellations include:
Vineyard Tour Bike Ride, Roseburg, OR
Siskiyou Century, Yreka, CA
The organizers at Cycle Oregon, which draws some 2,000 cyclists and sells out within hours of registration opening, wrote:
“Forest fires continue to develop and rage throughout the state. Lives are threatened, communities are imperiled. As I write this, ash is raining all across Oregon, including right here in Portland.”
Cycle Oregon is offering to donate the $500 individual registration fees to the Cycle Oregon Fund, which goes directly to communities suffering from the fires. Or, the organization can refund those fees back to the riders.
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