BThere were 829 participants registered for Saturday’s eighth annual Bikes, Blues & Bayous as of this morning, making this year’s ride the largest in the event’s history.
Although online registration ended at 8 a.m. today, Richard Beattie, a founder of Bikes, Blues & Bayous and member of Money Road Cycling Club, said that number was not the official total.
“We have to do some calculations,” said Beattie.
Some of those who registered online only purchased cycling jerseys, and the online number does not account for those who mailed in their registration fees.
“We’re always astonished by the continued growth, and we’re now starting to have a bigger vision of where we can take it in the future and the things that we can do to make it possible,” said Beattie.
Bikes, Blues & Bayous had about 720 participants as of last Friday and picked up more than 100 this week.
Many local volunteers also are involved.
“The volunteers are too numerous to name,” said Beattie. “We have fabulous support from the community. Not everybody in the community rides a bike, but there are more than 250 volunteers who help make this ride happen. That really warms my heart.”
Beattie said the event’s sponsors also are important: “They sponsor this because they want to do something good for Greenwood and the community.”
Bikes, Blues & Bayous is presented by the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, partnered with the Money Road Cycling Club.
Greenwood motorists should be cautious today and Saturday — especially those traveling on Money Road on the morning of the ride — and look out for the cyclists. For more information, visit www.bikesbluesbayous.com or www.facebook.com/BikesBluesBayousCyclingEvent.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
