On Sat. July 17, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and on Fri. Sept 3, Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will be sending NBG Scout/Ambassador cyclists to the NBG Anchor cities between them and Indianapolis to end at the Indianapolis Bicentennial on Sept 26, 2021 per our exciting 17th Annual National Mayors’ Ride

schedule.

 

 

Their reception will take place on the White River Bridge  built in 1870 (rebuilt in 1902 and 1914) next to the Gateway to the West, the 1834 National Road Bridge and across from McCormicks Rock where in 1820, John McCormick became the city’s first non-native settler when he built a log cabin there. At this location, our NBG Scout/ambassadors will present the proclamation fruit of their rides’ efforts to Mayor Joe Hogsett.

After Mayor Joe reads his city’s proclamation into the record, Hancock County tourism director and former State Museum historian, Brigette Cook Jones will spend a few minutes explaining why White River State Park, what this area has become, is the real Gateway to the West and not St.Louis which never had a bridge or the National Road. After which Jordan Ryan, of the nearby Indiana Historical Society, will say a few words about the riverfront facelift in which 14 streets were either removed or altered. If that’s not enough, Mr. Greenway himself, Ray R Irvin, will be coming out from Florida to explain the riverfront vision he held as he led the charge to make it real. In his words, you will hear  why it earned him the distinction of being awarded the Distinguished Hoosier award from Governor Frank O’Bannon. And why the Urban Form award, given to young people with the best designs for sustainable cities, was named after Ray.  We also look forward to a short exhibition from World-Class Unicyclist, Eddie Moffat.

We’re still working on commitments from other guests that will make this event beyond remarkable. Globally acclaimed, trick cyclist, Ines Brunn, who has performed for the NBG before, may even came over from Germany to give us a short show. What’s more,  we look forward  to food vendors, live music and vendor booths from local, regional and national merchants.

All of this as we look forward to a visit from handfuls of Velomobile cyclists and HiWheel bike celebrities such as Steve Stevens, an NBG board member and the worlds fastest Hiwheel TransAm cyclist, as well as Jerry Grulkey. Jerry, the Mayor and owner of his small Oregon town, was the lead force in reestablishing grandeur for the HiWheel bicycle when he led the charge to get the Wheelmen founded back in the 1970’s.

We also expect a visit from NBG Board member Tim Brummer, the Lightning Cycle Dynamics manufacturer whose machine holds the record for the fastest bicycle to cross America. He will say a few words about his bike that crossed America in 5 days, 1 hour!

Besides the genuinely magical 250 acre riverfront, bike visitors can also enjoy the incomparable 8-mile Cultural Trail that has established Indianapolis as the top biking downtown in America and quite possibly the world. HERE is the National Bicycle Greenway Virtual Video Tour of it!

 

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