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4 things to know before you go to the Mass Ave Crit

Indy’s most exciting bike race is riding its way into Indy! On Saturday, Aug. 6, NUVO’S Mass Ave Criterium is back for its ninth annual run. Complete with a kid’s race, charity race with the mayor and a beer garden, this is an event that one that we”ll be sure not to miss!

Here are a few details:

Over 400 bike racers will roll at top speed past 5,000 spectators on Aug. 6, 2016, for the ninth running of NUVO’s Mass Ave Criterium. The “MAC” features bicycle racers of all ages and skill levels running a closed course through one of Downtown Indy’s most beautiful neighborhoods, the Mass Ave Cultural District. This event is free to spectators.

A portion of the proceeds of MAC benefits IndyCog. This free event allows fans to watch the races from an incredibly close vantage point – close enough, in fact, to feel the draft from the competitors as they fly by.

And, new this year for craft beer lovers, the Oskar Blues Beer Garden featuring brews from both Oskar Blues and New Belgium, will be on the outside of Turn 1, the always exciting, unbelievably tight and fairly dangerous turn that wraps around Mass Ave’s “Ann Dancing” video sculpture. The day’s events start at 9 a.m. with a CIBA ride and ends with the men’s pros running at 7:35 p.m. Competitors vie for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.

The final 90-minute race will finish as the sun sets on beautiful Mass Ave, and the racers compete for their share of $1,999 in cash and another $1,999 in prizes. The Mayor’s Charity Race is on the docket too! Mayor Joe Hogsett will compete in a light-hearted and fun race alongside local mascots, local bike store owners and members of local media on the Pacers Cultural Trail Bike Share bikes.

Vendors will line the course, and food will be available from Bazbeaux Pizza and all the other fantastic restaurants and bars along Mass Ave.

For more info and a complete schedule, check out www.massavecrit.com.