Ring of Fire debuted in 2021 to rave reviews, was canceled in 2022 due to regional fires, but returns in 2023. The name “Ring of Fire” refers to the Cascade Mountains and the volcanoes which are part of the 25,000-mile volcanic region of the Pacific Ocean basin. The event takes place at Wanoga Snow Park in Bend, Oregon, and offers 100k and 40 miles of stunning single track. The 100k route comes with nearly 6,000 Ft of elevation gain spanning a stunning, mostly single-track route just West of Bend, Oregon. The race is produced by Mudslinger Events and is part of the Oregon XC Series, six premier Oregon MTB events spanning April to September.
In 2023, Ring of Fire is also a stop on the National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE) Epic Series. The Epic Series is a world-class mountain bike endurance race series with a national calendar of 9+ races, bringing the best riders in the country to compete for the overall title. But of course, you can do these events all individually as you wish. NUE comprises an Epic Series, 100-mile events, and a Marathon series, which includes 50-mile and 75k length events. Strambecco rates all of the events here: True Grit 100/50, Cohutta 100 – Big Frog 65, Mohican MTB 100, Wilderness 101k, Telluride 100/50, Shenandoah 100, Marji Gesick 100/50, Ring of Fire 100, Big Grizzly 100/75, Carrabassett 100.
Mudslinger Events was formed by Michael Ripley, an enthusiastic mountain biker who grew up in Eugene, Oregon. The organization brings people together to explore the gorgeous outdoor areas of Oregon. Having been run since 1987, Mudslinger Events brings back a vintage atmosphere to Mountain Biking and cross-country racing. They organize some of the best mountain bike and gravel race events in the United States, all taking place in the Northwest. The Oregon XC Series includes Mudslinger XC, Sisters Stampede, Oregon 24/12, High Cascades 100, and Ring of Fire.
Mudslinger also produces The Oregon Triple Crown Series, a series of 5 premiere gravel and mixes surface events: Oregon Coast Gravel Epic, West Coast Gravel, Oregon Gran Fondo, Sasquatch Duro, and Takelma Gravel Grinder. People interested in participating can register for each event separately or benefit from the OTC Series Pass, which includes price discounts, bike accessories, and prizes associated with the timed-event awards.
