In early 1995, the first All Latino cycling team entered the Indiana University’s Little 500 Bike Race. This was a monumental feat for the team, as an overwhelming number of participants were historically Caucasian. The student Latino community at Indiana University rallied behind their team, and showed their support. The team had three successful seasons before the leading riders graduated.

Roughly ten years later, six women came together and ride for Mezcla in the Little 500 women’s race. The team became the first women’s minority team to ever participate in the Little 500 race. Coming in with no previous cycling experience from any of the riders, the women’s team successfully organized a qualifying team that finished the race 23rd. After completing what turned out to be an emotional and proud finish for every Latino in the stadium, Mezcla was already focusing on next year’s race.

Since then the women of Mezcla have dedicated themselves to ensuring that this cycling team will become a permanent participant in the Little 500. They would like to continue to see the presence of the Latino community in the stands every year at the track for this major campus event.