Experience the thrill of bicycle racing during two days of family-friendly events. The Indy Crit Bicycle Festival and the Mass Ave Criterium have come together to form a single weekend bike extravaganza known as Momentum Indy. You don’t have to join the race to join the fun! There’s plenty for families to do and see, and you don’t have to spend a dime. Pedal, jump, climb, and play all while learning how to stay happy, healthy, and safe this summer.
What is a Bike Criterium?
In a bicycle criterium, also known as a “crit,” riders speed around a short circuit track of about one-half to one mile in length. Races vary in length but typically don’t last more than an hour. These criteriums are usually held in urban settings and are extremely fast-paced and exciting to watch! Spectators can line the race course and watch as both amateurs and professionals zip past over and over as they complete their laps.
Free Family Fun at Momentum Indy
Spend Friday evening on Mass Ave catching all the excitement of one of the Midwest’s longest-running urban bike races, the Mass Ave Crit. Head to University Park on Saturday for free family activities, kids’ races, and more thrills as the amateurs and professionals race.
Mass Ave Crit
Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
Friday, August 25 from 3:30-10 pm
While you won’t find activities specifically planned for the kids on Friday evening, everyone will be drawn in by the fast-paced criterium races. Get a spot along Mass Ave and feel the exhilaration as the competitors speed along the route.
Best of all, this race puts you right in the middle of one of downtown’s most vibrant shopping and dining districts. Pair your criterium viewing with a bite to eat at Condado, BRU Burger, the Flying Cupcake, or one of the area’s other delicious restaurants. You can also hit up Pins Mechanical for some pinball or duckpin bowling (21+ after 8 pm), or walk up to the Circle City Industrial Complex for a chocolate flight from SoChatti!
Indy Crit
University Park, 307 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
Saturday, August 26 from 10-7 pm
Kids, families, and bicycle enthusiasts can enjoy an entire day of bicycling and free health and fitness activities at the IU Health Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival. Start off your day with the Mini Major Taylor Family Ride at 8:30 am. Families, children, and recreational bicyclists will love this leisurely bicycling adventure through downtown Indianapolis along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
The ride will begin near Massachusetts Avenue and Old National Center and is suitable for riders of all ages, skills, and abilities. There is a per-family fee for this activity, but you can secure early bird pricing by registering before July 31.
Kids and families can then explore the free Riley Children’s Health Adventure Zone from 11 am-3 pm. The Adventure Zone will feature a variety of bicycling and physical fitness activities, arts and crafts, and healthy lifestyle education booths. Young ones will be especially excited for the Touch-a-Truck, or perhaps the robotics demonstrations provided by the Indianapolis Public Library.
Kids can collect stamps along the way on their Adventure Zone passport which will help them earn a free bicycle helmet at the end of their adventure. The helmets are generously provided by the CIBA Foundation.
Be sure not to miss the Kids’ Bike Races at 2 pm! Children ages 3-12 will LOVE riding their bicycles along the route in front of thousands of cheering fans! The Kids’ Race requires a $15 entry fee. The Kids Zone is free, but be sure to REGISTER in advance to expedite your check-in at the event.
About the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival and Indy Criterium, Inc.
Indy Criterium, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose signature program is the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival and the Mass Ave Criterium. Over its 10-year history, the two events have grown into two of the Midwest’s largest bicycling events.
The Indy Criterium is a “celebration of all things bicycling”. Since 2010, the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival has raised over $164,000 to support local youth-serving charities and other local bicycling-related charities in Indianapolis
Race with the whole family! Try one of these 5ks.
Looking for more downtown Indy fun? We love the Indianapolis Zoo and the Colts Canal Play Space.
2 thoughts on “Indy Crit Bicycle Festival | Free Family Fun at IU Health’s Momentum Indy”
Pingback: 31 Things to do in July in Indianapolis | Indy with Kids
Pingback: 31 Things to do in October in Indianapolis