We have blocked 25 rooms at the Best Western in Richmond (533 W. Eaton Pike; phone 765.939.9500). Rooms contain two queen beds ($74.00) or one king bed ($72.00).
Packets containing maps, a bracelet (required for state park entry and dining hall admission), luggage tags, and t-shirts will be distributed Sunday, July 12, in the Best Western lobby from 7:00 to 9:00PM. View a map of the location. Packets will also be available prior to the start of the ride Monday morning.
For more information on Richmod and Wayne County, check out the Visitors' Center webiste at http://www.visitrichmond.org/ or call 800.828.8414.
Parking for the week will be at the Earlham College. The $6 RAINSTORM™ week-long Parking Permit is required for this service. We are providing a place for you to leave your vehicle for the week, but neither the tour organizers nor Earlham College is responsible for the safety of your vehicle, as is noted in the waiver. View a map showing Earlham College.
Lodging will be in state park inns or motels. All state parks gate entry fees are covered by your RAINSTORM™ registration. All personal SAG vehicles entering the parks must display the special permit for registered drivers.
Every participant will receive a rider or crew t-shirt. Cycling participants will also receive a RAINSTORM™ jersey. The jersey is meant to recognize your cycling efforts for the week; it is not necessary to have ridden every mile of the route to receive one.
You must register by May 1 to guarantee your RAINSTORM™ jersey size. If you register after May 1, you will receive the current RAIN™ jersey instead. Jerseys are made by Revi and will be sized like past RAIN™ jerseys (club cut).
A bicycle mechanic from Circle City Bicycles of Indianapolis will accompany the tour Monday through Thursday with a rolling shop to make bicycle repairs both on the road and in the parks (charging for labor and parts). If you're flying to Indiana, you can ship you bicycle to the shop for assembly. Contact the shop in advance to discuss the details and fees for this service.
For more information, contact Circle City Bicycles by calling 1.800.793.7801 or faxing 317.784.7684.
RAINSTORM™ provides baggage transportation to each day's destination.
Massage therapy will be available from Brent Meyer for an additional fee. Reserve your sessions prior to the tour (email brent@murrcor.com or phone 812.201.8179), or sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis during the week. Visit Brent's website All Sports Massage to learn more about his services.
Any type of bicycle in good working condition is welcome on RAINSTORM™. Our route is rolling to hilly, so be prepared to pace yourself, and be ready to climb. Front and rear lights will be required for riders starting before sunrise or finishing after sunset. Anyone found riding without lights after sunset will be transported to the next destination.
Plan to carry items you will need during the day's ride, and to eat lunch at a location of your choosing along the route each day. Luggage is limited one duffel bag per person. Bicycling helmets are strongly recommended! Make sure they are CPSC approved and properly adjusted to fit your head. Riders must be in good physical condition and trained sufficiently for this event. For training advice, study the training section of the UltraMarathon Cycling Association website.