The Race: A Brief Overview

            For those of you who have not attended the Little 500 before, here is a brief summary of what you will be watching today. The women’s race is approximately 25.49 miles long, made up of 100 laps around the 410-meter track. Each team is placed within the lineup based on their Qualifications time—from front to rear and inside to outside. Given that our team placed 16^th during Qualifications, they should be placed (roughly) in the middle.

            Each team must race with four riders. In our case, these four riders will be Laura Bliss, Megan Caldwell, Helen Han, and Kelsey Holder. They turn in the names of these riders the Monday before the race. Once they have turned in these names, there cannot be any substitutions (without the approval of the Cycling Committee and Race Director). If a rider becomes injured during the race, the team must continue to compete with those that they have left.

            All of the teams have been given two Little 500 bikes, which they must use on race day. After the race, they may keep or return the bikes.  During the course of the race, each team must complete 5 exchanges with these bikes within a 32-foot pit area.

            Additionally, there are many flags that are used throughout the course of the race. Failure to observe the flags will result in penalties. Their colors and functions are as follows…

GREEN............................................................... Starting signal, clears course

 BLACK.............................................................. Ride on the outside of the track

RED.................................................................... Stop; race is halted

YELLOW........................................................... Ride with caution and maintain position

BLUE WITH ORANGE STRIPE...................... Bicycle attempting to pass

WHITE............................................................... You are starting your last lap

CHECKERED BLACK AND WHITE.............. You have completed the race

            Best of luck to the ladies of RideOn as they compete today. The Dynasty Starts Today!