Racing the Streets of Downtown Indianapolis 7.27.11

1070 THE FAN

INDIANAPOLIS – In France, thousands of cycling fans from all over the world crowded the roads and hills in July to witness the world’s most respected cycling event, the Tour de France. While the outcome was still being decided on the last competitive leg in Le Tour on Saturday, Indianapolis was hosting its own professional cycling event, the Indianapolis Criterium.
The day consisted of multiple races for different age groups, skill levels and even types of bikes. The races closed down Monument Circle and parts of Illinois, Meridian and Pennsylvania just north of the Circle.
Racing in a new way
It is well known that Indianapolis is the Racing Capital of the World, but the Indy Criterium looked to capitalize on the city’s legacy in a different way.
“We envisioned a cycling race that would highlight the most widely recognized landmarks of our city like Monument Circle and the Capitol building,” said Jennifer Cvar, a founder and director of the Indy Criterium.
As racing bicycles through the city is a different kind of racing that Hoosiers are used to, so are criteriums vastly different to the familiar Tour de France grand tour style.
Where a grand tour can span thousands of miles, multiple days and through differing landscapes, a criterium is contained to just a few blocks. Criteriums are usually run on city streets and laps are generally no longer than a mile or two.
The Indianapolis course, which started at University Park and ran through the northwest quadrant of Monument Circle, was only one mile, but added a twist.
“This year I partnered with my cycling team on the race and we changed up the course to make it even more unique,” Cvar said. “We added the figure-eight with more turns to break it up.”
Cyclists can average 30 mph throughout tight turning criteriums and a successful race will see the countless attacks and chases that make the cycling in France exciting to watch. The already compact layout of a criterium makes the racing exciting, but the figure-eight layout made it that much more intense.
"The 2011 Indy Crit was fantastic," said Chad Burdzilauskas, a runner up in the mixed category race. "It included the figure-eight and it was great to see big fields, because the races were more exciting to race and watch."
Criteriums are great spectator events by their very nature, but Cvar intentionally took it a step further this year with the twist and the fans responded favorably.
Many fans spoke of the highlight of being able to see the race from four angles while standing in the intersection of New York and Meridian.
“I have not seen anything like that, especially downtown,” said Joe Smoker, a downtown resident and long-time bicycle aficionado. “To be able to see them come down Meridian and then turn and later come back up was pretty cool. It was just neat to be able to stand in one spot and any way I turn, see racing.”
Cvar couldn’t officially judge crowd numbers but said from her perspective and the photos she saw that the crowd grew as the day went on.
Community event
Saturday was more than just a few bicycle races, but was also promoted as a day to celebrate cycling as whole in the city.
“Above all, we want it to be a celebration of cycling in our community,” Cvar said.
Among the different category races for men and women were youth events, a fun-spirited tandem bike race and a morning CIBA (Central Indiana Bicycling Association) ride through Crown Hill Cemetery, which Mayor Greg Ballard participated in.
“We were fortunate to have Mayor Ballard join us in the morning,” Cvar said. “He has done so much for cycling and bike lanes in our city, so we were very fortunate to have him there.”
There are multiple community groups that support cycling in the city and the Indianapolis Criterium was an excellent opportunity for them to get their message out. Almost a dozen tents were set up at University Park by the start/finish line to promote groups including CIBA and IndyCog.
Freewheelin’ Community Bikes, an organization that uses bicycles to create community and give purpose to youth in the city by teaching bicycle maintenance and appreciation, was represented Saturday by many youth participants and adult volunteers, including Jamison Hutchins.
“The kids learn how to work on bikes in our shop, but it was great to give them a different perspective Saturday," said Hutchins, who helped lead a morning ride from the shop to the race with the youth from the program. ”One of the kids wanted to get in bike racing all along but has never seen it. After Saturday he couldn't stop talking about it."
Perfect timing
The heat wave that hit the country did not spare the riders and fans Saturday in Indianapolis. The temperatures were well in the 90’s in the afternoon, when much of the racing took place.
Race organizers were prepared though, as free Gatorade was provided and paramedics were standing by.
“Our job is take care of everybody here,” said Don Rogers, an EMT with Indianapolis EMS. “That includes the riders, bystanders and fans. I have a feeling we will be seeing some incidences with the heat as it is very hot. Hopefully everybody knows to stay hydrated.”
Cvar acknowledged the growing crowds throughout the day, but could not help but wonder if the heat was keeping more people away. The heat might have held some fans back, but Cvar was still banking on excitement from the Tour de France to drive fans downtown.
“Having the race during the last weekend of the Tour de France benefited us greatly,” she said. “Many cyclists and cycling enthusiasts follow the Tour all month, so it is great to get out and see it up close during the final weekend.”
Next year Cvar has big plans for the Indianapolis Criterium in regards to the Tour. She has a goal of setting up a large screen broadcast to have a viewing party in Indianapolis.
Even further, Cvar sees the Indianapolis Criterium growing even more by bringing in different types of events, including a larger tandem race, more youth races, fixie races and much more community involvement.
In Indianapolis, it is now obvious there is a race to be had for everyone.

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