Spring has sprung, which means bicyclists return to the trails in the coming days, getting ready for Oklahoma Baptist University’s sixth annual Bison Bicycle Tour, April 15. The BBT begins at 9 a.m. in front of the university’s Noble Complex.

The event is organized by OBU’s Division of Music University to raise funds for music student scholarships. Past tours have raised more than $4,000 for the endowed music scholarship fund.

Tour participants will see many changes this year. New routes leading south of Shawnee have been developed, and two more routes are provided for mountain bike riders. The mountain bike routes will include a combination of paved, dirt and gravel roads.

“I am excited about the new routes and changes that we are making to the Bison Bicycle Tour,” said Dr. Jim Vernon, OBU associate professor of music and chairman of the music division. An avid cyclist, Vernon is the BBT founder.

“This event has grown from 40 participants the first year to turnouts of approximately 120 for the past two years,” he said. “We are expecting even larger numbers this year with the addition of the mountain bike routes.”

Along with the 50-mile unsanctioned race and the new 12- and 25-mile mountain bike routes, there will be 10-, 25- and 50-mile road bike tours.

Pizza will be provided for all participants at the end of the ride. Other attractions for the event include The Bison Jazz Messengers performing, and massages will be offered by Robert and Charity Sharp. OBU music students will be stationed at rest stops on the routes, providing cookies, fruit and Gatorade for the cyclists.

For more information on the BBT, contact Vernon or Thresa Swadley at 405.878.2305 or music@okbu.edu.