IU Health Momentum Indy

🔦ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT🔦

Meet Midwest Devo team member, Evie Alvarado, age 13!

Evie is a junior cyclist and a national champion on the track. 🥇 Naturally, her favorite disciplines are track and road. Evie was introduced to racing through her dad, former pro mechanic Andrew Alvarado, and did her first mountain bike race, DINO Mascatatuk, at the age of 9.

While an already accomplished cyclist with a national championship (Omnium) and another podium (Omnium) at USA Track Nationals, Evie is equally accomplished and contains multitudes of interests off the bike. She enjoys XC skiing 🎿 and plays the cello in the advanced orchestra where she won the highest solo award at the ISSMA competition. Evie also enjoys being a normal teenager, spending time with her sister and friends and attending football games.

Cycling being a sport of fashion and trends 📈, you will never see Evie sporting a mullet 💇 or the new Jumbo Visma TT helmet 🤣. However, when she is not in her race shoes she will always have her pink sandals, which are a must before and after races for the podium, rain or shine. As a track racer at heart, Evie always has her gear chart handy ⚙️

If Evie had to ride across Indiana on a tandem bike, she would include a trailer so she could bring two of the strongest pro riders that share her name: Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado and Evie Richards. 🚴🚴💪💪

Evie has competed at IU Health Momentum Indy for 3 years and believes that the event transforms the area of downtown Indianapolis and makes the area much cooler! She was also lucky enough to be able to do the name drawing for the Zipp wheels 🛞 in 2023.

We can't wait to see you back on race weekend in just a few short weeks, Evie!

🔦ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT🔦

Meet team member, Evie Alvarado, age 13!

Evie is a junior cyclist and a national champion on the track. 🥇 Naturally, her favorite disciplines are track and road. Evie was introduced to racing through her dad, former pro mechanic Andrew Alvarado, and did her first mountain bike race, DINO Mascatatuk, at the age of 9.

While an already accomplished cyclist with a national championship (Omnium) and another podium (Omnium) at USA Track Nationals, Evie is equally accomplished and contains multitudes of interests off the bike. She enjoys XC skiing 🎿 and plays the cello in the advanced orchestra where she won the highest solo award at the ISSMA competition. Evie also enjoys being a normal teenager, spending time with her sister and friends and attending football games.

Cycling being a sport of fashion and trends 📈, you will never see Evie sporting a mullet 💇 or the new Jumbo Visma TT helmet 🤣. However, when she is not in her race shoes she will always have her pink sandals, which are a must before and after races for the podium, rain or shine. As a track racer at heart, Evie always has her gear chart handy ⚙️

If Evie had to ride across Indiana on a tandem bike, she would include a trailer so she could bring two of the strongest pro riders that share her name: Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado and Evie Richards. 🚴🚴💪💪

Evie has competed at Momentum Indy for 3 years and believes that the event transforms the area of downtown Indianapolis and makes the area much cooler! She was also lucky enough to be able to do the name drawing for the wheels 🛞 in 2023.

We can’t wait to see you back on race weekend in just a few short weeks, Evie!

We’re giving a special sponsor shoutout to our friends at !

Known for providing wellness testing specific for cyclists trying to achieve peak performance, VQ Labs is a premier health and wellness training facility dedicated to helping people achieve their fitness goals through cutting-edge technology and personalized coaching.

Here are just a few of their specialties:

💪 DEXA Body Composition Scan: Helps you obtain the most accurate measurement of your body composition, precisely differentiating between bone mass, fat mass, and lean muscle mass.

💨 VO2Max Testing: Measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise.

🩸 Metabolic Blood Lactate Threshold Testing: Identify your optimal training zones by understanding the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in your blood.

🧂 Sodium and Sweat Testing: Provides vital information on your body’s electrolyte balance and sweat composition to help prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

🚲 State-of-the-Art Indoor Cycling Classes: High-tech bikes and immersive environments are designed to simulate real-world cycling conditions.

Whether you’re an elite athlete or just starting your cycling journey, VQ Labs is the perfect place to prepare for the Momentum Indy!

We're giving a special sponsor shoutout to our friends at VQ Labs Indy!

Known for providing wellness testing specific for cyclists trying to achieve peak performance, VQ Labs is a premier health and wellness training facility dedicated to helping people achieve their fitness goals through cutting-edge technology and personalized coaching.

Here are just a few of their specialties:

💪 DEXA Body Composition Scan: Helps you obtain the most accurate measurement of your body composition, precisely differentiating between bone mass, fat mass, and lean muscle mass.

💨 VO2Max Testing: Measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise.

🩸 Metabolic Blood Lactate Threshold Testing: Identify your optimal training zones by understanding the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in your blood.

🧂 Sodium and Sweat Testing: Provides vital information on your body’s electrolyte balance and sweat composition to help prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

🚲 State-of-the-Art Indoor Cycling Classes: High-tech bikes and immersive environments are designed to simulate real-world cycling conditions.

Whether you’re an elite athlete or just starting your cycling journey, VQ Labs is the perfect place to prepare for the IU Health Momentum Indy!

We are so grateful for our amazing sponsors for their support of our event - and the cycling community!

One of our Major Partners is MINI but makes a big impact! Our sponsor and Indy’s MINI dealer, Dreyer & Reinbold MINI Cooper, plays an important role in leading our races as our official pace car sponsor. 🚙

Join us in giving them a shout out for guiding our cyclists, keeping our races safe, and adding some four-wheel fun to our party on two wheels!

📸 Action Images Indy & Joe Vondersaar

Please join us in honoring the late, great cycling legend, Marshall “Major” Taylor this Juneteenth.

Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor is an inspiration and model not only for his athletic achievements in face of unrelenting racism, but also because of his integrity, generosity of spirit, concern for others, and invaluable contribution to America’s non-violent struggle for equality.

Thank you for joining us in honoring Taylor’s legacy today and through our annual ride, Honor Major Taylor.

📸 Indiana State Museum

🔦ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT🔦

Get to know IU Health Momentum Indy cyclist, Jackson Clary!

Jackson, age 16, is an up-and-coming talent with a mighty sprint that has already won him races on the track, road and beyond. He is Cat 3 track/road/cross rider who is partial to the velodrome where he especially loves the elimination race.

Jackson got his start in competitive cycling in 2019 at the Harvest 50 where he races with his dad. The effort and result got him hooked on cycling and he has not looked back. He joined Midwest Devo and has attended camps and clinics around the country. His most cherished accomplishment was winning his second race of the day at the 2023 Hyde Park Blast where he pulled an and won from a group where he was outnumbered 3 to 1 by a competing team. Even though they attacked him relentlessly, he was able to take the 🥇.

Jackson has also been fortunate enough to be selected for the highly competitive EuroCrossAcademy in Montana, where he and 30 other juniors/u23 riders develop skills and character and train with the goal of getting riders ready for the top races around the world.

Off the bike, Jackson is your normal teenager, eating 🥖 more than an adult can comprehend, sleeping a lot 💤, and also getting his hands dirty working on bikes. In his neighborhood, he is known as the bike kid and is the go-to mechanic!

As we grapple with the trends 📈 and high fashion of all disciplines of cycling, Jackson cannot get behind socks 🧦 over leg warmers or aero bikes with bar bags - it’s simply too contradictory 🤣. However, he will never be without his Black Line Sprinting bag which holds all he needs for any race and especially his Runwell COG1218L cog and lockring wrench.

Momentum Indy holds a special place in Jackson’s heart as he won back-to-back races last year with the help of his dad dumping ice water 🧊🧊 over him between starts and providing a good pep talk! The high speed corners and chicane on the Indy Crit course make for fast and exciting races.

Join us in wishing Jackson a successful start to the season, and don’t forget to say hi when you see him at Momentum Indy! 👋

✨Divas✨ - join us for a fabulous Night with the Divas presented by IU Health this Thursday, June 20!

Before this week’s group ride, we’ll shine a light on our incredible sponsor, IU Health, who helps support the Divas and IU Health Momentum Indy as a whole. Meet in the Indiana Members Credit Union Lot at 3975 W 106th St. at 6:15 PM this Thursday to kick off the event. RSVP to join: https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/9ef86ed9988bb8318bf5

Not a Diva yet? No problem! Women of all ages, experience, and abilities are still welcome to join us for our weekly Thursday rides featuring six different pace groups to suit all skill levels. Visit our website to learn more and sign up.

Happy Father’s Day! Today, we’re celebrating the amazing fathers and father-figures who not only lead the pack on the road - but also in our hearts. Thanks for teaching us to always enjoy the ride! 💙🚴‍♂️

📸
1 & 2: Zach Bernerd ( ) & Mike Bernerd
3 - 5: Phil Perry () & Kyle Perry ()
6 & 7: Doug Fagan () & Family
8 & 9: Jake Rytlewski () & Family

Register for the IU Health Momentum Indy Honor Major Taylor Fondo and/or the Indy Omnium by July 3 to be entered for a chance to win a set of Zipp 303 Firecrest® Carbon Clincher wheels, generously provided by our friends at Zipp! 🎉🎉🎉

Valued at $2,500, this wheelset is Zipp’s most popular family of wheels engineered for everything you’ll need to tackle on the bike including pavement, dirt, or gravel. 🚲

We’ll choose two winners, one from Fondo registrants and one from Indy Omnium registrants. The drawings to choose the winners will take place on July 13 at the Honor Major Taylor Fondo at 8:45 AM EST and at the Indy Crit at 2:40 PM EST. The winner must be present to win.

Register today for a chance to snag these ready-to-ride wheels! Learn more:
Fondo Registration Drawing: https://www.momentumindy.org/fondo-pre-reg-drawing
Indy Omnium Drawing: https://www.momentumindy.org/pre-reg-drawing

We can’t believe that IU Health Momentum Indy is only one 🎉 month 🎉 away 🎉!
Now is the perfect time to plan your visit so we can count down the days together.

Want to experience Mass Ave Crit from the best seats in the house? Snag a VIP ticket to enjoy extra perks:

🍔 Farm-to-table fare by BRU Burger Bar Indianapolis and Livery Indianapolis
🍻 Two alcoholic beverage tickets (21+ only)
🥤 Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages
🪑 Expanded seating area
🎉 And more!

VIP tickets are $50 each. Honor Major Fondo riders get a coupon code to enjoy $10 off their VIP tickets! And of course, non-VIP spectating is completely free.

Get your VIP tickets: 🎟️ https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=146653

📸 .vond

🗞The Divas make headlines! 🗞️

Thank you to "Current in Carmel" for the plug about our incredible IU Health Momentum Indy Divas.

"Having IU Health be mindful of women's mental health by creating and promoting spaces where women can join together in fellowship to do activities together is important for cardiovascular and mental health." - Dr. Chemen Neal, Carmel resident, IU Health OB/GYN, and Divas member

Read the full feature: https://issuu.com/currentpublishing/docs/cic_20240430_final/14

Check out the agenda of this year's crit-ically awesome IU Health Momentum Indy events:

July 12, 2024
🚴 4PM -9:30PM - Mass Ave Crit

July 13, 2024
🚴 9AM-2PM - Honor Major Taylor Fondo p/b VQ Labs Indy & Zipp
🚴 9:30AM-5:30PM - Indy Crit
🚴 11AM-2PM - Kids Race & Kids Zone p/b Riley Children's Health

Head to our website to plan your visit to our two day celebration of cycling!

Our bike helmet giveaway in partnership with the Indianapolis Indians last week was a home run! ⚾

In honor of , we distributed nearly 700 helmets to kids and adults during the Indians’ Youth Clinic at Victory Field. Thank you to the hundreds of you who stopped by to grab a helmet for safer cycling - your attendance helped us knock the event out of the park!

Calling all aspiring racers! Get race-ready with our Intro to Racing Skills Clinic on June 19 at the Indy Cycloplex/Major Taylor Velodrome! 🚴‍♀️

If you've ever been curious about criterium-style racing or want to sharpen your road cycling skills, this clinic is perfect for you. Our fantastic coaches and experienced racers will help you master cornering, race tactics, and more.

First-time racers who complete the clinic get a free entry to the Indy Crit on July 13, 2024!

When: June 19 | 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Indy Cycloplex/Major Taylor Velodrome

Bring your bike, helmet, and enthusiasm! Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and bike checks.

Don’t miss out on this chance to boost your cycling confidence and skills. Register now and let's ride into racing season together! https://www.momentumindy.org/race-clinic

 

Our friends at Saint Francis Tulsa Tough are hosting a three-day party of wheels in Tulsa this weekend, offering racing and activities from June 7-9. Their race kicks off the American Criterium Cup 2024 season (cyclists will later head to IU Health Momentum Indy for the fifth stop in the eight-race national criterium series).

Join us in cheering on all of the cyclists who are competing–with a special shout out from our Divas, as Tulsa is where the original Divas group was founded!

📸: Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

IU Health Momentum Indy 2024 is quickly approaching, and we're on the lookout for passionate volunteers to join our team! Whether you're a cycling aficionado or just eager to soak in the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere, we'd love to have your support. 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

Learn more about the many roles we have available for volunteers: https://www.momentumindy.org/volunteer

Husband-and-wife surgeon duo, Dr.s Nick and Jen Zyromski, keep family life in balance through exercise and movement.

Nick is an IU Health general surgeon specializing in pancreas and hepatobiliary surgery, as well as a professor of surgery at IU School of Medicine, and Jen is a general surgeon at Ascension St. Vincent.

Both doctors were athletes growing up, so when they started a family–which now includes six kids–nothing changed.

Exercise is something the Zyromski family enjoys together. Nick and Jen recently participated in the Indy Runners Eagle Creek Sprint Tri with their three oldest children, Anna, Jake, and Maddy. Anna and Jake are also competitive cyclists who joined Midwest Devo and eventually moved to Nine13sports to focus on road racing. Meanwhile, younger siblings, JR, Sarrah, and Claire, just competed in The Riviera Club's Kids Triathlon.

On why this family rides–and stays physically active together–Nick Zyromski, MD, IU Health says, “For us, exercising is fun and something we get to do, not something we have to do.”

Learn more about how this family bonds over cycling and staying fit on our blog: https://www.momentumindy.org/post/in-this-family-exercise-is-something-they-get-to-do

Did you know that May is National Bike Month? We like celebrating every day, but it is worth recognizing all of the benefits that come with cycling!

🚲 Eco-friendly transportation
🚲 Improve cardiovascular fitness
🚲 Muscle strength
🚲 Greater coordination and general mobility
🚲 Improve mental health (lowering stress levels & boosting feel-good endorphins)
🚲 Reduce body fat
🚲 Being a part of a supportive community
🚲 And of course, amazing events and races to enjoy and practice cycling!

What’s your favorite biking perk?

Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/bicycling/
📸 : Mark Whalen

The Cyclone.🌪️ The Whirlwind.💨 The Comet.☄️ The Major. 🥇

Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was the world’s first Black sports superstar, and the second African-American world champion in any sport. Once known as the “World’s Fastest Man,” Taylor had a fast and powerful sprint that transformed races within sight of the finish line, delighting audiences around the world.

Taylor is an inspiration and model, not only for his athletic achievements despite facing unrelenting racism, but also for his integrity, generosity of spirit, and invaluable contributions to a struggle for equality.

Today, we host our Honor Major Taylor Fondo ride presented by VQ Labs Indy and Zipp in his honor. This “big ride” continues Major Taylor’s legacy, while offering a fun community celebration of cycling for all ages and skill levels.

Register now to join the Fondo on June 13th before prices increase on June 1st: https://runsignup.com/iu-health-momentum-indy

IU Health Momentum Indy and the Indianapolis Indians love supporting kids in sports! That’s why we’re teaming up at the Indians’ Youth Clinic before they take on the Omaha Storm Chasers at Victory Field next Wednesday, May 29. ⚾🚲

Indians players and coaches will teach kids 14 and under baseball and softball fundamentals on the field, and Momentum Indy will be giving away hundreds of FREE youth bike helmets in honor of ! 🎉

Stop by to play ball and upgrade your kids’ helmets as we head into summer! Gates open at 5 PM, the Youth Clinic begins at 5:10 PM, and the game starts at 6:35 PM. Admission to the Youth Clinic is free with the purchase of tickets to the Indians game. It’s also a Half-Off Wednesday Night – enter code HALF before selecting your seats to receive 50% off Box, Reserved and Lawn tickets!

Learn more: https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/tickets/youth-clinic

Jeremy Wilson scores podium finishes in elite cycling competitions, has started amateur cycling teams, and is the passionate entrepreneur behind our presenting sponsor, VisionQuest Labs.

VQ Labs Indy is a combination cycling studio and high-tech performance training operation that offers access to exclusive tools and a range of services. Their training programs are supported by high-tech science, assessing everything from body density and blood-oxygen levels to resting metabolic rates and sodium levels in sweat.

A number of athletes competing and participating in IU Health Momentum Indy events, including members of the VQ Labs-sponsored Divas, train with VQ Labs. Wilson and his business have been key supporters of our cycling weekend, with VQ Labs serving as presenting sponsor for the Momentum Indy weekend and as co-sponsor for the Honor Major Taylor Fondo.

Of course, a passionate cyclist like Wilson can’t be expected to stay on the sidelines for central Indiana’s biggest cycling weekend. The former Cat 3 Indiana State Road Race Champion has participated in a number of Indy Crits and Mass Ave Crits over the years, often earning a spot on the podium. Last year, riding in Masters 40+ races for Texas Roadhouse Cycling, he notched a second place at the Indy Crit and 3rd at the Mass Ave Crit.

On why he rides, Wilson says, “Cycling is my therapy. It’s what I truly love. From racing to training to riding solo at 6 AM to the group ride when the sun is coming up, it doesn’t get much better than that!”

Read more: https://www.momentumindy.org/post/jeremy-wilson-vqlabs

Make new memories with your whole family at our Riley Children's Health Kids Race and Kids Zone on July 13! We have lots of activities to participate or spectate for all ages:

- Bike races (ages 3-12)
- USA BMX Stunt Show
- Nine13sports bike competitions
- Free bike helmets and helmet decorating station
- Bicycle obstacle course
- Yard games
- And more!

Register now for the races, but all the other events don't require early sign-up. Make sure to bring your own bike, hydration, sunscreen, helmet, and excitement for a great time!

Registration here: https://www.bikereg.com/iu-health-momentum-indy

Looking for a fun way for your team to bond this summer while also enjoying health and wellness benefits? The IU Health Momentum Indy Fondo Team Challenge is the perfect solution!

We may be best known for our criterium races, but during the IU Health Momentum Indy we also host hundreds of riders for our Honor Major Taylor Fondo–resented by VQ Labs Indy and Zipp–which offers route options for all skill levels. Whereas crit races are fast and competitive, Fondo rides are like cycling festivals on wheels.

This year, local teams and companies are invited to participate and compete against each other! It’s a great way to bond and celebrate team camaraderie while also offering a fun, healthy experience for all participants.

Contact us at [email protected] to sign up to join our Fondo Team Challenge on July 13!

Pre-orders for IU Health Momentum Indy Momentum Indy merch are now open! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that Mumu Cycling Apparel is serving as our official jersey partner this year, sponsoring the leader’s jersey for our two-day omnium.

MUMU designs products with functionality and performance at the forefront, and they’ve created an amazing line-up of 2024 Momentum Indy apparel that you’ll look and feel great in. 👕

Both Honor Major Taylor and Momentum Indy jerseys are available, in addition to interchangeable matching bibs and shorts.

Don’t wait - pre-order your apparel by Thursday, May 16 for guaranteed delivery before our event: https://mumuapparel.com/collections/momentum-indy

MUMU will also be onsite during our event weekend with a limited number of jerseys available for purchase.

(The Honor Major Taylor jersey is an official licensed product of Major Taylor® licensed by Karen B. Donovan, c/o Luminary Group LLC, www.MajorTaylor.biz”)

We’re only two months out from IU Health Momentum Indy! Prep your bikes and grab your cowbells–the countdown to our two-day celebration of cycling is on.

Race like the wind to register on our website: https://www.momentumindy.org/

📸 Joe Vondersaar

Happy Mother’s Day! Here’s to all of the amazing mothers and mom-figures who inspire us on and off the bike.

We 💜 our local cycling teams!

has aimed to personify a positive mentality, educate others on bicycle safety, inspire more women to take up cycling, and bring a new women’s team to the Midwest since they founded in 2020.

They are excited to be representing as their title sponsor for their fourth season, and also to be racing in for another year. They’ve also added as a sponsor, which offers amazing products for recovery and comfort for every ride. UNDRBUDR staff will be racing at IU Health Momentum Indy this year - so keep an eye out for them on race day! 👀 Motion Cycling will also be supporting this women’s team as their local bike shop sponsor this year, and the team couldn’t be happier to represent them at events.

Upland Brewing Women’s Cycling loves that Momentum Indy is in their hometown. Team member Kelsey Deveraux says, “Having friends and family lining the course is always a plus and an awesome opportunity to highlight our local sponsors.”

This local team also enjoys the amount of talent our race attracts - and they look forward to participating every year. 🚴‍♀️

Double tap to join us in welcoming this incredible local women’s team back to Momentum Indy this year!