#iualum

Today's history lesson is about Indiana University's Little 500. The first Little 500 bike race was held in 1951 at the old Tenth Street Stadium. About 7,000 people attended, and $6,000 was raised for student scholarships. Over half a century later, the event is now the largest collegiate bike race in the U.S.

Modeled after the Indy 500, riders compete in four-person teams around a quarter-mile cinder track at Bill Armstrong Stadium. 

Each April, more than 25,000 fans flock to the campus in Bloomington, Indiana to be a part of the IU tradition. And who can blame them?

As illustrated in the 1979 hit film Breaking Away:

"The excitement, the competition, the pageantry — Little 500 is an experience like no other."

If you can't make it to Bloomington this year to see the races first hand, Kirkwood Bar & Grill, 2934 N. Sheffield, has a viewing party for IU Alum.