Potential riders gather for Little 500 orientation

In 190 days, the 53rd running of the Little 500 will take place. \nBut preparations for the event are beginning now.\nIn an attempt to better educate the student body, specifically freshmen, about what has been dubbed "College's Greatest Weekend," the IU Student Foundation held an interactive orientation about the Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium last night. During the meeting, which lasted from 6 to 7 p.m., students were given a tour of the stadium, had the chance to speak with current riders and take a bike on the quarter-mile track if they liked. \n"This gives people an opportunity to check out the track, and ride on it in the fall," said Alex Ihnen, Little 500 coordinator and assistant director of IUSF. \nThis is the first year of orientation, and with a turnout of approximately 60 students.\n"I was very impressed with the turnout," said senior Meg Haney, a third year rider for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Haney spent Wednesday night in the SRSC handing out fliers.\nThe night began with a brief introduction by current Little 500 riders from both the men's and women's races. The group then had a chance to look at the bike shop, and the indoor training facility, which is open for use anytime after soccer season ends. After the introduction and the tours, the group was able to take a few laps on the track to get a feel for the cinder surface. \nForming teams came up quite often throughout the evening, with groups of freshmen inquiring about what it takes to make a Little 500 team. \nStudents can sign up as a team, small groups or individually. They first have to contact the IUSF offices and Ihnen. The students then need to consider what their goals are concerning the race and how well they want to do, and then they need to commit to trying, Ihnen said. \nThe entry fee is $100, and bikes are free to use when riding at the track. \nThe organizers of the orientation said they hope last night will cause a domino effect.\n"I spoke to about 10 people today who were interested," Kloppenburg said. "Now, hopefully they will go home and talk to their friends, who will then talk to their friends, and get them all interested in riding in Little 5." \nThe women's callout meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Tues. Oct. 22 at the IUSF Showalter House, located off of 45/46. The men's callout meeting is the next day, at 7:30 p.m., Wed. Oct 23 in Psychology 100. \n"Experience does not matter," Ihnen said. "The hard thing is to decide to do it"