Every bike shop needs a great mechanic. Greg Souder is the perfect fit for the Indiana University Little 500 bike shop.

Before coming to Bloomington, Souder lived a normal life with his wife and children. Although he is from the Fort Wayne area, he has always been connected to IU.

“Both of my boys went to IU and that’s what got us to the Bloomington area,” Souder said.

Souder also decided to move to Bloomington not just for his bike mechanic job, but also for his love of biking that he’s had since his mid-fifties.

“We moved here specifically so I could ride the hills of Bloomington as I went into retirement,” Souder said with a smile on his face.

After moving to Bloomington seven years ago, Souder found out in December of 2021 that he had a tumor on his left kidney. After just two months he went into surgery to get his kidney removed.

“In April of that year I worked the race,” Souder said with a smile, “So I was back about, seven weeks later – seven or eight weeks later, something like that.”

Without the help of Souder, rookies during every spring and fall series would have no professional help.

Before taking the job, Souder had no idea that this would also be a teaching position. Teaching rookies everything from how to put air into a tire to how to fix the chain on a bike, and everything in between.

“All the Little 5 riders are like sponges, they want to learn how to work on bikes,” Souder said.

Souder talks about rookies coming into training not knowing how to put air into a tire, then four years later that same person becomes the captain of their bike team. This wouldn’t be possible without Souder.

With the race coming up in the spring, Souder has been taking the time out of each day to teach the rookies how to fix their bikes themselves on race day in April.

Rookies, like Jenna Brandt, and even veteran riders look up to Souder. Whether that be for bike maintenance or just to have a nice conversation, riders can be sure that they will always have something to talk about with Souder.

Brandt has only been biking since August of this year. With Souder’s help, she has been able to learn how to put air in her bike tires and how to raise and lower her saddle.

Many bikers, rookie or not, can relate to Brandt when she talks about biking and says, “I love a physical challenge, so it’s something I’ve taken a lot of pride into.”

Even while working on bikes, Souder will talk to them about his personal life and what he loves in his life.

For Brandt, that usually consists of them getting into conversations about Souder’s vintage cars that he likes to drive to the Bill Armstrong Stadium bike shop.

Oftentimes, Souder will talk about his family and the memories they share. Many of which consist of his grandchildren, Norah and Lewis.

Greg Souder working the Bloomington classic.

Greg's family, from left to right; son Logan, wife Joie, older son Derek and grandchildren Lewis & Norah.

Greg's grandchildren Lewis and Norah.

Greg and his wife Joie watching the solar eclipse with their granddaughter Norah.

Greg with his grandson Lewis.

Greg with his granddaughter Norah.