If you managed to somehow overlook the fact that a large portion of downtown Indy was blocked off for an all day bike race this past week, then here is your sign. The Mass Ave Criterium was held on Saturday August 14th in the Mass Ave area of downtown. The following wrap up is courteousy of Ben Hunt of the Indy Cog. Pictures are by your’s truly who managed to make it downtown for the very last race. Special thanks to my wife for giving into my crazy photo taking whims after what had been a long day in the heat.
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By: Ben Hunt
-The Indy Cog
It’s not too often an entire district of our city gets completely taken over by bicycles, but this past Saturday, that is exactly what happened. This year’s Mass Ave Criterium had an energy that I feel has lacked in the past years. The street was completely alive, and it felt like cycling taking another huge step to legitimacy in Indianapolis.
Luckily INDYCOG was set-up at the start/finish line across from the announcer’s booth, so we were in the middle of the action all day witnessing all the winners, sprints for primes, and the fans cheering on their favorite cyclists. The enthusiasm of the crowd created such an energetic atmosphere it was impossible to not become an instant fanatic of the cyclists as they crushed down the main straight away.
The addition of New Belgium Brewery as the title sponsor, the solid core of local sponsors, and the excellent promotion really made this event a complete success; the spectacle that is the Mass Ave Criterium is only going to grow in size and popularity in the upcoming years.