Disappointment...54º

And the ride goes on...Cycle Oregon announced last spring that Wallowa County would be included in their 28th annual September ride...Plans started immediately to host this group for the 5th time...Schools and civic organizations in Wallowa County jumped on the band wagon to offer their help, knowing that they will profit in the end...Cycle Oregon pumps dollars into the local area when they stay for a night or two and also later on when they donate back to the county for specific projects...Months of planning have taken place in our county, everyone primed and ready.

I remember the first overnight stay in Wallowa County in 1995...May 95 I turned in my resignation at the Joseph Schools, ending my 17 year career as a cafeteria worker/manager because of illness...Plans started in May to host Cycle Oregon and the Joseph School would be biker central...All food would be served from the cafeteria, the football field would become a campground, covered with multi colored tents....Showers and other ammenities would also be available...I was leaving and would have no part in the actual event but assured the organizers that the Joseph kitchen, with good planning and organization could feed 1000 people dinner and breakfast...September 1995 was the 8th annual Cycle Oregon.

This event is now in its 27th year and has grown to 2200 bikers, with there own support staff along with portable showers, kitchens with well known chefs, sag wagons, mechanics, but they still rely on local people for serving meals, garbage detail and a miriad of other duties doled out to schools and civic organizations.

Wallowa Lake Campground has become the home for Cycle Oregon in 2003 and 2008, the sorority I belonged to at the time worked both of these events serving either a dinner or breakfast and gladly accepting the $250.00 for our services...It was a fun event and easy money to add to our treasury.

This year after the August/September fires calmed down, when rain storms dampened our county, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the biker route over the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road would be open and a safe route...Much to my dismay, this morning the following headline greated me when I opened my FaceBook account...From the Wallowa County Chieftain came these words:

Forest fire near Halfway forces bike tour to ditch Wallowa County leg of route

Growth of the Dry Gulch Fire near Halfway has forced Cycle Oregon to change the route of its Hell on Wheels tour already in progress, apparently eliminating the leg that would have brought the cyclists into Wallowa County this week.

Cycle Oregon announced the change on its Facebook page Monday night.

“Due to the growing Dry Gulch wildfire in and around Halfway, Oregon, we will not be able to continue on the route as planned. While we’re sad we will not see this beautiful part of the state, our hearts are with the Halfway community and the firefighters working to keep everyone safe,” the post stated.

“All riders will stay in Cambridge, Idaho tonight and tomorrow night, which is completely free of fire danger and a completely safe area. There will be an optional ride into Hells Canyon tomorrow, and tomorrow night we’ll have an update on the rest of the ride.”

On Monday evening, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported the Dry Gulch Fire had grown to approximately 15,500 acres.

So the ride goes on, but it will be rerouted and Wallowa County is left out of the loop...What a disappointment for not only the bikers to miss our wonderful scenery and hospitality, but for all of  Wallowa County and its months of preparation for this event...Wallowa County is known for its resilience, it will bounce back and somehow I'm sure will turn this around and make it a win/win situation...Years will pass and another "Cycle Oregon" will find its way back to Wallowa County...Hugs To All...OWAV:)