Annual Event Brings Local Women Together for Fun, Food and Physical Activity

Writer / Julie Yates
Photography Provided

Fishers is a tapestry of neighborhoods. Some sprawl, while others are small enclaves with just a few homes. Each one has their own unique flavor and activities. A few seem to melt into each other due to proximity to shared amenities. As residents connect with each other, a sense of community develops.

The Tanglewood neighborhood, located just north of 126th Street and close to Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School, started a tradition in June of 2020 that brings moms together for an evening of fun. Ladies Bike Night began as an opportunity socialize outside during COVID, and is now an annual event that includes individuals from nearby Gray Eagle.

“The first Ladies Bike Night started with 10 of us all from Tanglewood,” says participant Kristen Poske. “We needed a girls night out, so we did something outside. We rode on bikes to what was then the Rails Craft Brew & Eatery on 131st Street in Saxony. It was so much fun, we decided to make it a yearly event. This past summer was our fourth year and 34 women participated. The bike rides have been held on a Wednesday in June towards the end of the month, after the Mudsock Youth Softball tournament is over. A lot of the ladies have kids on the Gray Eagle swim team, which has meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so a Wednesday is best.”

Each year the number of women participants has grown. Friends of friends are welcome. The group has branched out to include ladies from the Gray Eagle neighborhood. The expansion naturally happened, since children in the two subdivisions go to the same school and many of the moms are connected to each other through the Gray Eagle swim team.

“The destination of the ride is the same location, but now it’s called Saxony Pizzeria,” Poske says. “They have such a lovely outdoor seating area and they welcome us with open arms. We let the restaurant know we are coming about a week in advance. We typically meet at my house around 4:30 p.m. for hors d’oeuvres and maybe a cocktail. We sit on the back deck, catch up, meet new friends and listen to music. It’s mom time away from the kiddos, and a chance to relax and smile.

At 6 p.m. they take to their bikes.

“The dads take photos and videos,” Poske says. “We are lucky our husbands are so supportive. They think it’s as funny as we do. They have built relationships too. They foster our fun and create their own.”

In the summer it gets dark later, so the ladies don’t have to rush. They stay together for a leisurely ride through Tanglewood and cut through Saxony to avoid major roads. They usually stay at the restaurant for close to two and a half hours.

“Then we ride back here for more hors d’oeuvres and maybe more cocktails,” Poske says. “We do nothing but laugh and we have stories from other years’ rides. Once a mom got dropped off at the restaurant and realized she didn’t have a bike to ride home. Another mom happened to have a child’s seat on the back of her bike. The mom hopped into the child’s seat and rode home in it! We were laughing for days.”

Poske, who is originally from Fishers and attended HSE High School, shares that Ladies Bike Night, along with other events happening in the neighborhood, have helped her reconnect with friends she had in the past. Activities include spring and fall pickleball, a blind wine tasting attended by over 20 women, and a smaller bike ride to El Camino Real. Another shared experience was charcuterie board making, where partners produced boards, with themes such as Bloody Mary or brunch.

“Fishers can seem big, but there is always something to do in a smaller vicinity to create a sense of community,” Poske says. “It develops a sense of belonging. Women shouldn’t be afraid to have fun. As the mom of three who works outside the home, connecting with other women helps me be a better mom. Women deserve to have outlets too. Don’t be afraid to laugh and smile.”