Mini 500 is the name of a
tricycle race performed annually at
Indiana University
Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana.
Campuses
Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI.
*Indiana Universit ...
and the
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech or The Institute, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of ...
.
Indiana
Indiana's Mini 500 began in 1955 as a means to involve women in the
Little 500
The Little 500 (also known popularly as the "Little Five"), is a track cycling race held annually during the third weekend of April at Bill Armstrong Stadium on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It is attended by more th ...
celebration. The Mini 500 was exclusively for women until 1978.
The modern Mini 500 is organized by the Student Foundation Special Events Steering Committee and it is held in
Assembly Hall. The race featured men's, women's, and coed divisions. Trikes were specially made for the race with larger front wheels and stronger frames.
Teams were composed of four riders and one optional coach.
This event was discontinued in 2002 and replaced with the Little Fifty, a relay-style footrace.
Georgia Tech
In the 1960s, freshman fraternity pledges were often forced to ride tricycles around campus. Georgia Tech's Mini 500 was derived from this practice and was first organized by the
Ramblin' Reck Club
Numerous Georgia Tech legends and traditions have been established since the school's opening in 1888, some of which have persisted for decades. Over time, the school has grown from a trade school into a large research university, and the traditio ...
in 1969 and has been orchestrated during the week leading up to the
homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni or other former members of an organization to celebrate the organization's existence. It is a tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States, Canada and Liberia.
...
football game every year since. Participating teams must complete 8 laps around Peters Parking Deck. The teams are made up of assorted
fraternities,
sororities,
ROTC
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC ( or )) is a group of college- and university-based officer-training programs for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces.
Overview
While ROTC graduate officers serve in all ...
, sports clubs, and other student organizations. The teams can have up to seven members (4 drivers and 3 pit crew).
As the tricyclers race, they must complete three pit stops in which the front tire is rotated. Each tire rotation and each lap is counted by a designated Ramblin' Reck Club member.
[ ] The tricycles are provided by Ramblin' Reck Club but because they are made for children, an additional support bar can be welded to the frame. The toy tricycles require unique techniques and strategies for effective riding.
Other Collegiate Trike Races
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Depauw University
DePauw University is a private liberal arts university in Greencastle, Indiana. It has an enrollment of 1,972 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the G ...
holds a Mini 500 in conjunction with its own version of the Little 500 race.
*
Indiana State University has held a tricycle race known as the Indiana State Tricycle Derby annually since 1963.
*
Louisiana College has held a homecoming tricycle race annually since 1997.
*
Purdue University
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...
has held a tricycle race known as the Trike Race annually since 2004 as part of their Grand Alternative.
See also
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Little 500
The Little 500 (also known popularly as the "Little Five"), is a track cycling race held annually during the third weekend of April at Bill Armstrong Stadium on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It is attended by more th ...
-
Bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
Bic ...
race based out of Indiana
*
Georgia Tech traditions
Numerous Georgia Tech legends and traditions have been established since the school's opening in 1888, some of which have persisted for decades. Over time, the school has grown from a trade school into a large research university, and the traditio ...
- Extensive list of Georgia Tech traditions
References
{{reflist, 2
Indiana University
Georgia Tech
Cycle racing