PORTLAND — A popular outdoor sporting event in Oregon has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cycle Oregon has been canceled for 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak. Organizers of the event made the announcement on Tuesday.

The popular series of cycling events usually takes place at various locations around Oregon over the spring and summer. Events were scheduled at the John Day Fossil Beds, Tygh Valley, Willamette Valley and at the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis.

Cycle Oregon Executive Director Steve Schulz said that the decision to cancel the events was a no-win situation, but the organization is hoping it will help in the long-run.

“We want the brand to continue. We want our mission to continue. So this was the best strategy for us was to, you know, look long-game at it and say ‘this probably isn’t going to work out this year,'” Schulz said. “So our energies are better focused on how do we continue to go for the next decade.”

All registered riders will automatically receive a 70 percent refund of their registration fee and a total refund of their add-on purchases.

Steve Schulz was a guest on The Morning Conversation Wednesday on News Radio 1240 KQEN. Listen back to the full interview at 541radio.com.