For once, Mr. Wohlforth and I stand in complete agreement. Bear attacks make big headlines but only because its so rare and unusual. I had more then my share of encounters and still alive today to write about it. When I used to backpack the Chilkoot Trail, the rangers would tell us about watching out for bears and putting our food on the poles and all that. Bears were least of my problems on that trail.....waiting for the early heart attack had more chances. Bears create hype, like a rock star on drugs! From everything I read, my own experiences, bears are quite an individualist and most really want nothing to do with humans unless you got bacon and beef glue to your clothes. Or appears to be threatening their young ones. But there are rogue bears......just like there are rogue humans. Cancelling Crow Pass race is worthless and meaningless since the risks you have this year, will be the same next year. So why bother? My guess would be: due to fear, not due to safety.