Riders

Prepare for the Ride of a Lifetime

Riding in the Little 500 is a defining life experience where more than 25,000 people gather to witness you pedal your way into Hoosier history. Camaraderie, competition, and celebration await—but only if you’re up to the challenge.

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Once you’ve decided to enter the race:

Spring Cycling

Qualifications

Little 500 Qualifications is the official qualifying event of the Little 500 race. All registered and eligible Little 500 teams will draw attempt times at random prior to the day of the event. Teams will be given three total attempts from which their fastest four-lap qualifying time will be selected. A single attempt will consist of four consecutive laps, with each designated rider riding one lap. An attempt will be preceded by one warm-up fly lap. Upon crossing the start/finish line the official timing will begin. At the conclusion of each lap, the riders must exchange the bicycle with the next person within an exchange zone measuring 16 feet on either side of the start/finish line. The time will stop as the fourth rider crosses the finish line. The fastest 33 men's and women's teams will set the official starting grid for the Little 500. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Saturday, March 25

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

2023 Little 500 Qualification Results

Spring Cycling Series

In each heat, one rider will be placed at each of the four corners of the track. From a standing start, at the sound of the horn, each participant will make four complete laps. At the conclusion of the fourth lap, the timers will stop the clock. Riders will be sorted into groups based on their four-lap time. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Wednesday, March 29

Time: 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

2023 ITT Results

This race is run in heats of 6–12 riders. Once the competition begins, the last rider to have his or her front tire cross the start/finish line will be eliminated from competition. The final three riders of each first-round heat will advance to the next round. Every round thereafter, only two riders will advance until the semifinal heat, when three riders advance. The heats will continue in this fashion until a championship heat is reached. In the championship heat, the remaining three riders will complete one final lap, and the rider to have his or her front tire cross the start/finish line first will be declared the Miss N Out champion. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Saturday, April 1

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

Miss N Out Bracket

 

Two teams of four riders will each race simultaneously against one another. The bikes will be placed at opposite corners of the track, lying flat on the cinders. The race begins with both teams standing 20 feet from their bikes. At the sound of the horn, the teams sprint to their bikes and begin the 15-lap race. The two teams chase one another while ultimately competing against the clock. Each team continues to ride until the third rider of each team crosses his/her respective start/finish line. The two teams with the fastest times will compete in a final Team Pursuit championship heat at the end of the night. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Saturday, April 8

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

2023 Heat Sheet

Spring Rookie Requirements

  • Must meet a minimum of 17 hours at the track during Rookie Week
    • at least 5 hours must be logged during the first week of Rookie Week
    • at least 5 hours must be logged during the second week of Rookie Week
  • Participate in a minimum of 2 of 3 Spring Cycling Events
  • Pass the Rookie Exam with 85% or more correct answers
  • Must meet a minimum of 7.5 hours at track practice before Qualifications to ride in Qualifications
  • Must meet a minimum of 17.5 hours at the track between Rookie Week and the race 
  • Student ID required for sign in for all events

Veteran Rider Requirements


  • Minimum number of hours logged at track practice by Thursday, March 23 to ride in Qualifications: 7.5 hours
  • Minimum number of hours logged at track practice by Thursday, April 20 to ride in the Little 500: 17.5 hours
  • Riders failing to meet the requirements and minimums will be ineligible to participate with their teams in Qualifications and/or the Little 500
  • Student ID required for sign in for all events

Fall Cycling

Friday Wilcox Group Rides

Connect with the Little 500 community and get familiar with Bloomington roads and scenery. The Riders Council leads all rides. Each week, three rotating route options are available: a long ride of 30–45 miles, an intermediate ride of 15–25 miles, and a beginner ride of 5–15 miles. All Little 500 riders are welcome to attend Friday Group Rides. Student ID required for sign in.

If you do not have access to a road bike, IUSF offers rental bikes to students looking to join. Contact iusf@indiana.edu for more details.

Dates: 

September 9, 16, 23, 30

October 28

November 11

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Wilcox House

Fall Little 500 Skills Clinics

New to the Little 500? Attend the Fall Little 500 Skills Clinics to discover what the race is all about. You’ll learn all the basics of bike racing, from exchanges and pack riding to bumping drills and more. Loaner Little 500 bikes will be available at Bill Armstrong Stadium. All riders must bring their own helmet. Student ID required for sign in.

Dates & Times: 

Skills Clinic #1: Wednesday, September 21 6:00-9:00pm

Skills Clinic #2: Tuesday, October 4 6:30-9:30pm

Skills Clinic #3: Sunday October 9 12:00-3:00pm

Skills Clinic #4: Tuesday, October 25 6:30-9:30pm

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

Tuesday Night Race Series

The Tuesday Night Race Series consists of three track-based racing events—all using Little 500 bikes. Registration is free for rookies and $10 per night for veterans. Riders will be split into categories based on the year they completed Rookie Week. The IU Student Foundation will track the progress of all riders and award points based on performance. Each event the top three men's and women's riders will receive awards. Student ID required for sign in.

Dates:

TNRS #1 (Vets Only): Tuesday, September 20 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

TNRS #1 Heat Sheet

TNRS #1 Results

TNRS #2 (Rookies Only): Tuesday, October 6 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

TNRS #2 Heat Sheet

TNRS #2 Results

TNRS #3 (All Riders): Tuesday, November 1 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

           TNRS #3 Heat Sheet

TNRS #4 (All Riders): Tuesday, November 15 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

            TNRS #4 Heat Sheet

Times: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

Fall Cycling Series

In each heat, one rider will be placed at each of the four corners of the track. From a standing start, at the sound of the horn, each participant will make four complete laps. At the conclusion of the fourth lap, the timers will stop the clock. Riders will be sorted into groups based on their four-lap time. Student ID required for sign in.

Date & Time:

Monday, October 17 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

10/17 Women's Heat Sheet

Women's Fall ITT Official Results

Tuesday, October 18 7:00 p.m. - 10:00p.m.

10/18 Men's Heat Sheet

Men's Fall ITT Official Results

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium

2022 Fall Cycling Series Results

 

 

Think of Street Sprints as drag racing on a Little 500 bike. Competition starts in the qualifying round. Riders will be slotted into preliminary heats of six to eight riders and timed as they sprint 200 meters down Kirkwood Avenue. The top 16 men and top 16 women will advance to the championship round. Based on their qualifying time, riders will be slotted into the championship bracket and proceed to race one-on-one as they advance through the bracket to the finals. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Saturday, October 22

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location: 7th Street from N Forrest Ave to the Showalter Fountain

2022 Women's Street Sprints Bracket

2022 Men's Street Sprints Bracket

It’s a relay obstacle course on bikes! Riders pair into teams of two to complete alternating laps of a preset course. Teams ride 12 laps and riders exchange between each lap with the option to use the same bike or two different bikes. Various obstacles include straw bales, stairs, sand, and more. Student ID required for sign in.

Date: Sunday, October 23

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: IU Tailgate Fields

2022 Cyclocross Heat Sheet

Fall Rookie Requirements

  • Complete 3 out of the 4 Little 500 Skills Clinics
  • Participate in 4 of 6 fall cycling events (including TNRS and Fall Cycling Series)
  • Attend 3 of 6 Friday Group Rides
  • Attend 1 of 2 Rookie Seminars
  • Pass the Rookie Exam with 85% or more correct answers
  • Must meet a minimum of 7.5 hours at track practice before Qualifications to ride in Qualifications
  • Must meet a minimum of 17.5 hours at the track between Rookie Week and the race
  • Participate in a minimum of 2 of 3 Spring Cycling Series Events
  • Student ID required for sign in at all events