Why Indie?

Logistics, cost and convenience added to a region full of cyclists hungry for a good show in determining how NAHBS chose Indianapolis for its 2009 convention. Don Walker, promoting the show for the 5th year, pointed out that Indy convention executives made the city a reasonable choice.

It was Indianapolis’ cycling notable Jeff Gold, now of De Rosa cycles, who said it best. Gold pointed out that, while Portland, Oregon, and many other cities are wonderful places and known as cycling hot spots, Indianapolis is within comfortable driving distance from Chicago, and Detroit . . . Cincinnati and Louisville.

It’s a very accessible town. As well, Gold observed, more and more cycling companies are choosing the Midwestern city because of its central location. Endura, a clothing manufacturer, recently chose Plainfield as its home base — possibly because of its accessibility to Fed Ex and DHS shipping facilities. Endura joins Zipp Speed Weaponry and Speedway Handmade Bicycle Works as cycling suppliers local to the area.

Additionally, it’s entirely appropriate for NAHBS to visit Indianapolis — the city, the home of what Major Taylor Velodrome manager Linda Fink says is one of the nation’s top five velodromes. The velodrome, approximately 5 miles northwest of the convention center at 3800 North Cold Spring Road, has hosted both the USCF Masters and USCF Collegiate Cycling Track Nationals. Once home to the 1987 Pan Am Games, the facility is now home to cycling teams from Indiana University, DePauw University and the national champion Marian College cycling team, among others.

The show fills a gap in a comparatively underserved area. Indiana has long been host to competition, first on the wooden velodromes of Major Taylor’s era, then on the cinder tracks of DePauw and Indiana, and on mountain bike trails throughout the state. As well, enthusiasts who participate in regional events like CIBA’s Hilly Hundred and the NITE Ride and who commute on the area’s Monon Trail certainly merit an event of this magnitude this close to home.

Kim Hunt