RAINSTORM™ 2017 Details

• Host Hotel
• Staging Area
• Services
• Preparation
• RAINSTORM™ 2017 Newsletter (PDF): REQUIRED READING

Host Hotel

We have a room block for RAINSTORM at the Hampton Inn in Richmond (455 Commerce Road, Richmond, IN 47374; phone (765) 966-5200). Again in 2017, our online registration form gives you the option to register and pay for RAINSTORM and a pre-event room at the Hampton at the same time. Those desiring a room Saturday night after RAIN must reserve and pay on their own, preferably well in advance, as rooms in Richmond sell out.

Note: Please must contact us immediately if you are seeking a roommate at the Hampton and/or during the week. If we do not hear from you, we will assume you are supplying your own roommate if you register for a shared room. If you do not have a roommate and we are unable to match you with another rider, you will be responsible for paying for a private room, both at the Hampton and during the event.

Packets containing maps, a wristband (required for state park entry and dining room admission), luggage tags, t-shirts, and jerseys will be distributed Sunday, July 10, in the Hampton Inn conference room from 8:00 to 9:00PM, after our optional group dinner at Galo's Italian restaurant. Packets will also be available prior to the start of the ride Monday morning at Earlham College.

For more information on Richmond and Wayne County, see the Visitors' Center webiste at http://www.visitrichmond.org/ or call 800.828.8414.

Staging Area

RAINSTORM™ starts and ends at Earlham College, on Route 40. Parking for the week will be in the Carpenter Hall parking lot near front campus. The $6.00 RAINSTORM™ week-long Parking Permit is required for this service. Please note that 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.

Services

Every participant will receive a 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.

Bill Hannah of the Bicycle Garage in Greenwood will offer mechanical support on the route and at our overnight locations from Monday through Thursday. Please note that bicycle repair is not included, but will be offered for an additional charge. If you're flying to Indiana, contact us if you wish to ship your bicycle.

RAINSTORM™ provides baggage transportation to each day's destination.

Massage therapy will be available from Valerie Roderick for an additional fee. To set up sessions in advance, call her at 812.240.0344. You can also sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis during the tour, but be aware that her schedule fills, especially at the end of the week.

Preparation

Each registrant will be added to the RAINSTORM™ Google Group. The Google Group is an online forum created to facilitate discussion as riders prepare for the tour.

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 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.