Saturday I headed to Indy for the 11th anual Ciba Indy Nite Ride.  It was my first tour ever, I’ve always used my bike as a transportation device and a workout tool, but this was the first time I have ever toured.  I will admit I had a blast.  We went with my two brother here in town, his HAM radio buddy and his girlfriend.  Got there around 4 to register since we didn’t get our butts in gear and pre-register.  After that we headed to Rick’s girlfriend’s house to drop off our overnight bags and un-needed junk.  After that is was off to the Aristocrat tenderloins and beer.  After that we headed back to the house to chill and get our gear ready for the night.  When we got there we got to watch some sweet bike racing at the Indy Melodrome.  I have never seen bike racing in real life and I will say it was pretty cool stuff.  I shot a few pics with my brother’s phone, once he emails them to me I’ll post them.  Anyway, after that we headed back to the van to grab the 4 bikes (1 road, 2 mountain, and one tandum) I had to mount my headlight since my old one died.  We had to have full front and back lights per Indiana code.

They had a kewl “Lite up your bike” contest.  Where a few guys decked out their bikes with kewl lights.  They had everything from lit spokes to a sign on the back of their bike reading “NITE RIDE” that flashed.  I didn’t know about the contest or I would have rigged up some PC stuff on mine!

After that they started us on your ride.  There were about 2500 riders in this event, there would probably be more but that is all that Indy will give them a permit for.  They had to stagger the start because they were blocking traffic for us through the entire town and they had to let traffic go every few minutes so it would not stop the entire town.  As I went by each police officer I thanked them for their help.

Total distance for the ride was about 21 miles according to my brother’s GPS watch.  We went by the state capitol, the Indy circle, the children’s museum and probably some more famous places but I don’t know downtown Indy that well so who knows.  We took things easy because for once we were out to enjoy a ride.  It was quite enjoyable, you always had someone to ride with and talk to.  Our group carried FRS radios so we could break out and find reach other , and if all failed we all had our cells with us.

One guy we passed was ticked that he couldn’t get accross the route and he was bitching at a police officer about it.  The cop gave it right back at it.

Guy: I need to get across this damn road
Cop: Sorry, I can’t let you across
Guy: Why do the get to stop the entire town for just damn bikes?
Cop: Hey, I don’t have a problem with this, and you shouldn’t either
Guy: This is bullshit
Cop: If you say another word I’m hauling you off to jail

I don’t know what came of the situation becuase I road out of earshot.  But I hope he mouthed off some more so they would haul him in.  Except for that the ride was pretty much uneventful other then just dang relaxing.  After the ride they had a local band playing and Fazolies had free food!  We went home and hit the sack after the party.

This morning we got up, showered, ran to White Castle for lunch.  My Kevin and I had not been there so we thought it would be fun to go.  I’ll admit the place is not as bad as some poeple say.  Just don’t take a date there.  Then we stopped at BGI (Bike Garauge Indy) and then it was off to Dick’s sporting good where I picked up a nice lawn chair (the all clothe ones) for $5 each (college furniture).

Overall it was a great weekend.  I’m looking forward to more tours.  It’s nice to be able to enjoy scenery instead of getting from point a to point b.