Biking Around the Circle

Monument Circle holds the 7th Annual Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival Writer / Demi Lawrence Downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle will be alive and booming on Saturday, July 9 as it holds the 7th Annual Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. This family-oriented event is free to the public, offering amateur and professional bike racing, a Freewheelin’ Family Fun Ride with 1 mile and 3 mile events, BMX stunt shows and so much more. 100 percent of the proceeds from this all-day affair will go toward benefiting Freewheelin’ Community Bikes, a local youth development organization that uses bicycles to teach valuable life and leadership skills along with healthy habits. There are three route options for Beginners through Experienced riders at 14 miles, 32 miles or 52 miles. Sign up for these routes at http://bit.ly/28L4VQY. The first 100 participants to register will also be eligible to receive an event T-shirt! Route maps will be provided on location and can be found on the route sign up website as well. You can get in touch with Indy Criterium through social media, on Instagram/Twitter @IndyCrit and their Facebook page, Indy Criterium. Pre-ride check-in will be from 7:30-8:45 a.m., and the starting location will be on the South Steps of Monument Circle directly after check-in. After the ride, free bicycle parking will be offered on Monument Circle to allow people to stay and enjoy the rest of the day’s festivities. For cars, free parking will be provided at Central Park at 301 N. Illinois St., granted that you have a parking pass, which will be available for download when you register. Free showering facilities and towel services will also be provided at the Indy Bike Hub YMCA from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information on this bicycle extravaganza, visit indycrit.org.