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Cycle Oregon canceled for first time in 30-year history Cycle Oregon has been canceled for the first time in its history, due to fires burning in the region. [Cycle Oregon map] Thursday Aug 31, 2017 at 5:20 PM Aug 31, 2017 at 6:05 PM Cycle Oregon has been canceled for the first time in its 30-year history because of wildfires burning in the region. The annual ride was planned for Sept. 9-16 in central and southern Oregon and would have covered 430 to 490 miles from Sisters to Crater Lake, where several wildfires are ravaging the region and creating unhealthy air. "This is an enormous disappointment for all of us," Steve Schulz, executive director, said in a statement on Cycle Oregon's website. "We as a community rise to challenges, but sometimes the risks far outweigh the potential benefits. We have exhausted the options and possibilities of doing anything but cancelling. The one priority that we won’t jeopardize is safety; we feel we cannot go forward without doing just that." The 2017 Classic would've celebrated Cycle Oregon's 30th year with a loop starting at Tumalo State Park north of Bend, traveling south to Diamond and Crater Lakes, and returning through Dorena Lake, Oakridge, Rainbow and Sisters over seven days. The cost to riders was $999. Schulz said in his statement that the decision to cancel was made after discussions with the Oregon Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Oregon Department of Transportation and others and on-site meetings with incident commanders at the fires. "We are sensitive to the current struggles throughout our communities and our state," Schulz said. "Right now, Oregon needs our support; Cycle Oregon will not add to these already challenging times." Schulz said Cycle Oregon organizers would determine what compensation would be provided to riders by Wednesday. Much of the cost of putting on the annual event, which is capped at 2,000 riders, has already been incurred, according to the website.