The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s La Strada La Plata gravel ride scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday was called of because of the 358 Fire that burned northeast of Durango.
The wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon near County Road 245 effected much of the planned gravel route.
Race organizers canceled the event to not interfere with fire fighting operations or expose the riders to poor air quality at the advise of emergency managers, according to a news release.
“We do not take changes or cancellations lightly, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” said IHBC director Gaige Sippy in the news release.
Event organizers offered two options to gravel registrants in addition to a 50 percent discount on next year’s gravel ride.
Participants could join Sunday’s mountain bike race free of charge. They could also join a morning gravel group ride on an alternate, fire-free route led by cycling legend Ned Overend.
All other Iron Horse events held during the weekend went on as scheduled.
rsimonovich@durangoherald.com
