Hoots History

HOOTs originally started out in the western part of the state by Tom and Mona Smith around 1990 under the name of TOIS (Tandems Of Indiana & IllinoiS).  In 1993 Tom who was also a member of CIBA (Central Indiana Bicycling Association) began to have discussions with CIBA about hosting the 1995 Midwest Tandem Rally.  In 1994 TOIS was brought under the umbrella of CIBA which could provide many more resources to the Tandem group, and at that time the name was changed to Tandems Of Indiana Society.

Keith and Janice Conaway headed up TOIS from 1994 through the end of 1995, and in 1995 CIBA/TOIS hosted the Midwest Tandem Rally which was held in Indianapolis.

There was a short time during late '95 and early '96 that the name changed to TRAIN (Tandems Riding Around INdiana), and in 1996 Sue and Gary Robinson took charge of the tandem group and its name was officially changed to HOOTs (Hoosiers Out On Tandems) in search of a name that would "work".  The name geographically represents the entire state, and it also connects the group to animals which has become a Midwest Tandeming tradition(if you ever attend the Midwest Tandem Rally you will understand the animal phenomena).  HOOTs hosted the Midwest Tandem Rally 2004 in Columbus Indiana.

The President of CIBA (elected position) selects the HOOTs committee chairman, and then the HOOTs chairman is responsible for developing goals for the year, and a budget that must be approved by the CIBA board. Then with the help of volunteers the goals of the HOOTs committee are implemented.

HOOTs Chairs :
1996 - 1997 Sue and Gary Robinson
1998 - 1999 Don and Chris Kirk
2000 Debbie Beaudin and Don Hughes
2001- 2006 Dolly and Don Craft
2007- Present Jay and Linda Hardcastle