Jul 10th, 2019
The 18th Annual Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour and 5K are set for Saturday, Oct. 12 at Jackson State Community College. The event includes bicycle road tours varying in length from 14 to 100 miles. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Dr. Kent Jones Scholarship Fund at JSCC and Friends of Chickasaw and Pinson Mounds State Parks.
The routes on the Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour are designed for beginners to advanced riders. There are 14-, 32-, 62- and 100-mile routes. The 100-mile century route will take cyclists through Chickasaw and Pinson Mounds State Parks. For completing this route, cyclists will receive a commemorative patch.
In addition to the bicycle tour, a 5K run will also be held on the JSCC campus. "This will be the second year for the 5K run," said event organizer Mary Beth Hopper. "This allows for there to be more inclusion for friends and family members that don't ride. The addition of the run is also an excellent opportunity to grow this long-standing annual event."
A former surgeon and avid cyclist, Dr. Jones made the decision during the second year of the event to hold the event at Jackson State Community College. A large portion of the proceeds from the event support scholarship for non-traditional students at JSCC.
In addition to creating the Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour to support JSCC students, Dr. Jones was instrumental in establishing the EMT program at JSCC in 1982 during his tenure as Chief of Staff at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Sadly, Dr. Jones, passed away in November. Consequently, the presentation of checks was delayed until this past April. The Dr. Kent Jones Scholarship at JSCC received a $2,000 donation and the Pinson Mounds and Chickasaw State Parks received $400 each at the check presentation ceremony.
For more information about the Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour and 5K event go to www.bagelsandbluegrass.tn.org or call 731-616-7474.