Tuesday, May 30, 2023

The Indy 500

 Sunday May 28, 2023 - We have been trying to get to the Indy 500 ever since we moved here, but it seems like we always have other plans Memorial Day Weekend.  This year we decided to make sure that it happened.  We bought general admission tickets for $45 and decided to ride our bikes to the race, since it's only 9.5 miles from our house.  We packed a lunch, and took a blanket to sit on and headed off at about 7:45AM.  Seven and a half miles of the ride to the speedway is on a bike trail (the Monon to the Canal Trail, which runs into Riverside Park and then 16th St to the speedway).  We ran into a few other bikers on our ride, but otherwise it was a pretty quiet ride.  When we turned onto 16th St, it was packed with cars driving to the race, but we were able to ride our bikes on the sidewalk until we got to about 1.5 miles from the track.  At that point there were too many people, so we just walked our bikes.  There were bike racks at the entrance and we were hanging out on the mounds at Turn 2 by 9:30.  It was fun people watching until the race started at 12:45, and there was a lot going on for about an hour before the race (marching bands, old Indy cars on the race track, fighter jets, and parachutists).  We sat and watched the race for about a half an hour and then decided to walk around and check things out.  The track is 2.5 miles long, so there was a lot of walking around.  There was a concert going on in the Snake Pit, lots of tailgating, a golf course (that people were just enjoying picnicking on) and lots and lots and lots of stands full of people (325,000 people!)  We left at about 2:45 and had 16th St all to ourselves.  Can't wait to go again next year...why don't you come with us!




7:45 AM headed to the racetrack




beautiful morning for a ride on the Canal Trail






Riverside Park




Lots of traffic on 16th St (and parking EVERYWHERE!)




We had to walk our bikes at this point





The line for security




we're set up for the morning...








Parachutists






Fighter jets in formation and one of many checkered flags












The pagoda








anyone need a used Indy car tire?

















The golf course in the middle of the track, with the Pagoda in the background




16th St on our ride home




We stopped for a break at Newfields on the way home.



  

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