Taylathon this is not

It comes every spring to Taylor. People rising early, riding bikes through the misty mornings, bearing scrapes and scars like war badges. They form teams, build commradery, determined to take on the upperclassmen and beat them in the final glorious race.

Yes, I am talking about Taylathon, a famed Taylor tradition that involves a class against class bike race around a loop through the center of campus changing riders in the middle while the bike was still moving. Needless to say this was something I never attempted during my time at Taylor, but it was always a fun event to attend, cheer on the riders and cringe at their crashes.

Apparently, this type of bike race is not unique to Taylor like I always thought. It happens at IU too. Their event, - the Little 500 - happens to be this weekend, but the way students have been acting you would think people have been racing on bikes all week.

Let me outline a few differences I've noticed between Taylathon and Little 500. In fact, I'm realizing as I write this the futility and hilarity of trying to even compare the two events. But for fun, I'll try.

Little 500: Alcohol, alcohol and more alcohol.
Taylathon: The LTC and Polar Pops

Little 500: A photo of a giant beer can advertising Little 500 info inside the paper.

Taylathon: Oh the Echo. How I miss you.

Little 500: Another advertisement in the paper: various restaurants offering “Kegs and Eggs – All you can eat hangover breakfast on Saturday morning. Cost ranges from $3 - $9 in case

you want to attend

Taylathon: Does Ivanhoes serve breakfast? No? Ok, looks like we’re all heading to the DC

Little 500: Class? What class? Students think professors should cancel class all week so they can party. Rob had 4 students in one of his classes today.

Taylathon: There’s still plenty of relentless discovery happening at Taylor even though Taylathon is also happening.

Little 500: Is there some kind of bike race happening this weekend? I thought the point of this weekend was to get as drunk as possible. (Seriously, Rob asked his students what Little 500 meant to them and that was their answer.

Taylathon: Taylathon is one of the most historic Taylor traditions. And really, what else is going on during the weekend at Taylor? Be there or be square.

As you can see, there's really no comparing. Since we moved here I've felt such a sadness for so many students who think there is nothing better in life than getting drunk and doing who knows what else. Weekends like this remind me how blessed I was to attend Taylor and be part of a community that valued having fun and spending time together without the drinking and partying.

Needless to say I plan to stay home or leave town this weekend...