Move over, France. Look out, Spain. Heads up, Italy. There’s a new grand tour in town, and it’s in Carmel, Indiana!
I’ll admit, you won’t find multiple stages, epic climbs, or legendary team leaders fighting for control of the Peleton, but the Tour de Carmel is definitely worth the price of admission if you’re within an hour or two drive by car.
Carmel, a Northern suburb of Indianapolis, is one of the area’s crown jewels. Home to a growing population, it’s maintained a small-town feel in the face of rapid expansion and is home to a beautiful arts district, modern cycling infrastructure, and leading outdoor recreation programs. In their attempts to highlight all that Carmel has to offer, the Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation department hosts this well-run event annually.
If you’ve never worn spandex and don’t know how to draft, you shouldn’t be intimidated. This isn’t a race. Instead, the Tour de Carmel is a bicycle tour offering 10- or 20-mile routes designed to showcase the community’s cycling paths, commercial districts, parks, and recreation areas. Some riders speed to the front of the pack and cover the long route in less than an hour, while families may take 3 or 4 hours to complete the shorter course, enjoying live music, playgrounds, coffee shops, and other attractions along the way.
This year’s event kicked off at 7:00am on Saturday, September 12. The event coordinators must have special ordered the weather, as the day broke with blue skies and temperatures in the low 60’s. By the official end of the event at noon, riders were enjoying mid-70’s and sunshine. It was a perfect late summer day in the heartland of Indiana and a perfect time of year to ride a bike.
The Tour de Carmel begins at the Monon Center recreation facility on the Monon Greenway, a converted rail-to-trail path running 12 miles from the heart of Carmel to downtown Indianapolis. Riders were treated to a number of vendors and organizations with displays and tents at the starting line. WholeFoods kept riders fueled with organic bananas, veggie chips, and Odwalla drinks, while Carmel Cyclery displayed the newest bicycle accessories and products. Various health and fitness promotion organizations were also on hand to offer information to those interested in living a healthy, active lifestyle.
After leaving the starting area, riders move North on the Monon Greenway, cruising through beautiful and interesting downtown Carmel. Well-placed rest stops featuring live music, play areas and activities for younger participants, and refreshments dotted both the 10- and 20-mile routes.
My family – me, my wife, and our 15-month-old son – opted for the 10-mile course, which departed the Monon just North of downtown Carmel and then toured a number of other bike paths and well-shouldered roads on the return journey to the Monon Recreation Center. The entire route was very well marked and the Carmel police department did an excellent job of managing both motor and cycling traffic to ensure that everyone remained safe and secure during the ride.
While the event certainly wasn’t an adrenaline-filled, full-speed race, it was an excellent way to spend a late summer morning. This even is perfect for families, riders who would like to become familiar with Carmel’s cycling infrastructure, or people who are new to the sport.
Event dates and details for 2010 haven’t been announced yet, but I hope the Carmel Clay Parks and Rec department will consider offering more than one Tour de Carmel next season!
