Mad Max Run 2020: Halloween Edition
The seventh running of the Indy Mad Max Run almost didn't happen this year due to the current situation with a certain pandemic bringing an actual grim apocalyptic tone to the current state of the world but the battle hardened moto warriors of the wasteland decided they wouldn't give up hope and instead rescheduled the event for the greatest day of the year, Halloween! Truly one of the only things that could make the event even better as the ride has usually been targeted for the spring as a way to kick off the riding season. While years past had Mad Max riders packed into the hundreds, the organizers decided to keep it safe and hosted the Halloween run as a more scaled down, mask friendly, social distanced event but still open to anyone who wanted to join in the fun.
While what makes the run so great is the extreme "bug out" bikes and elaborate costumes, the run extended itself to anyone on two wheels regardless of your apocalyptic attire. Something great about the run is it always attracts a wide variety of bikes vintage and modern, some heavily armed with wasteland flair and some well preserved original bikes with their own character. This year had everything from vintage Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph, and Harley Davidson. Cafes, scramblers, cruisers, trikes, and even a couple choppers as well as an assortment of all terrain vehicles all geared up ready for battle. Regardless of what you ride everyone was in good spirits ready for a great day on the asphalt.
The ride was essentially formed as a way for a group of Midwestern moto enthusiasts to show their appreciation for Australian film director George Miller's vision set in his 3 post apocalyptic films. In the beginning riders focused heavily on mimicking certain characters or bikes from the films and over the past 7 years of the run its transformed each year into seeing the creativity blossom into many costumes and machines expanding on George's vision. While the ride expanded in attendance it began to see several challenges though, one of which on last years run being traffic control. Something unfortunately as about as unpredictable as the apocalypse and something that ride captain Seth Mansue found out the hard way almost being detained by Indianapolis Metro police for blocking traffic to allow the group of riders pass. Officers quickly approached Mansue on his battle ready XT600 while shouting "you cant just block traffic like that, who do you think you are, Mad Max or something?" Of course with a smirk under his helmet he replied....."Well, yeah!" Each year the ride captains revise the routes though and change them up to keep things interesting usually stopping through several abandoned places in the city almost like a two wheeled tour of its decay. This year dialed back on the more congested parts of the city (to keep our ride captains safe from harm) and took us through some of the more scenic parkways but with an occasional graffiti covered inspirational stop or two along the way. After a solid days worth of riding the group converged on the final spot, a local Triumph dealership to wrap up the run on a good note in the center of the city. Whether you enjoy George Miller's films or just want a way to get out and be a wasteland warrior for the day the Halloween edition of this year's Mad Max Run did not disappoint.
Photos and words by Mike Vandegriff
While what makes the run so great is the extreme "bug out" bikes and elaborate costumes, the run extended itself to anyone on two wheels regardless of your apocalyptic attire. Something great about the run is it always attracts a wide variety of bikes vintage and modern, some heavily armed with wasteland flair and some well preserved original bikes with their own character. This year had everything from vintage Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph, and Harley Davidson. Cafes, scramblers, cruisers, trikes, and even a couple choppers as well as an assortment of all terrain vehicles all geared up ready for battle. Regardless of what you ride everyone was in good spirits ready for a great day on the asphalt.
The ride was essentially formed as a way for a group of Midwestern moto enthusiasts to show their appreciation for Australian film director George Miller's vision set in his 3 post apocalyptic films. In the beginning riders focused heavily on mimicking certain characters or bikes from the films and over the past 7 years of the run its transformed each year into seeing the creativity blossom into many costumes and machines expanding on George's vision. While the ride expanded in attendance it began to see several challenges though, one of which on last years run being traffic control. Something unfortunately as about as unpredictable as the apocalypse and something that ride captain Seth Mansue found out the hard way almost being detained by Indianapolis Metro police for blocking traffic to allow the group of riders pass. Officers quickly approached Mansue on his battle ready XT600 while shouting "you cant just block traffic like that, who do you think you are, Mad Max or something?" Of course with a smirk under his helmet he replied....."Well, yeah!" Each year the ride captains revise the routes though and change them up to keep things interesting usually stopping through several abandoned places in the city almost like a two wheeled tour of its decay. This year dialed back on the more congested parts of the city (to keep our ride captains safe from harm) and took us through some of the more scenic parkways but with an occasional graffiti covered inspirational stop or two along the way. After a solid days worth of riding the group converged on the final spot, a local Triumph dealership to wrap up the run on a good note in the center of the city. Whether you enjoy George Miller's films or just want a way to get out and be a wasteland warrior for the day the Halloween edition of this year's Mad Max Run did not disappoint.
Photos and words by Mike Vandegriff