"Bike riding" and "cool" aren't usually words connected in the same sentence - unless, of course, the conjunction "isn’t" separates the two.  This statement holds true for 49 of the 50 states, but not here in Indiana. With less than two weeks before the Little 500, it's necessary to brush up on why biking and the atmosphere it creates here at Indiana University is so important.

Each year during the third weekend of April, Indiana University Student Foundation (IUSF) puts on a bike race called the Little 500, commonly known as "Little Five." The race takes place at Bill Armstrong Stadium on the quarter-mile cinder track surrounding Jerry Yeagley Field. More than 20,000 people from all over the country will attend. The fans will watch 33 teams compete for 200 laps, totaling 50 miles of absolute mayhem.

This year, Phi Delta Theta (REPRESENT) took the pole position at qualifications! The Black Key Bulls and Sigma Phi Epsilon round out the top three. Phi Delta Theta has high hopes to bring home the trophy this year after placing third in last year's race and losing just one rider. Their two seniors, Brendan Wise and Wesley Ring, lead the team along side junior Rob Lee, who took the second spot in this year's Individual Time Trials. 

While winning the race is the overall goal of the weekend, that’s not realistic for all teams competing.  This is when “The World’s Greatest College Weekend” really comes into effect. Attendance in class is often so low during this week, it’s easy to find the cool teachers canceling class. However, most students have that one teacher who takes their job too seriously and plans an exam during this week. In that case, it’s easy to find students stumbling in exhausted from the festivities from the night before.

Parties usually start the weekend before the race and don’t stop until the Sunday after the race. On Apr. 24, Union Board is presenting a concert at 7:30 p.m. at the IU Auditorium featuring hip-hop artist Schoolboy Q. 

Besides the copious amounts of alcohol that will be consumed by IU’s 21 year olds… the week signifies something else for most students. It’s the start of the end. As the crisp winter air begins to warm and the end of the spring semester follows, Little Five is a reward. It’s a pat on the back and a handshake all delivered in one week. It means we made it through another year of college. We're damn proud and most certainly not afraid to show it.