RAINSTORM™ 2012 Details

• Host Hotel
• Staging Area
• Services
• Preparation
• RAINSTORM™ Newsletter (PDF)

Host Hotel

We have blocked several non-smoking rooms with two queen beds at the Best Western in Richmond (533 W. Eaton Pike; phone 765.939.9500). The room rate is $75.00 + tax. Room reservations must be cancelled before 4:00PM on June 24, 2012 to receive a refund.

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 15, in the Best Western conference room from 8:00 to 9:00PM, after an optional group dinner at a nearby 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. 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.

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.

RAINSTORM™ provides baggage transportation to each day's destination. We are still finalizing mechanic services at this time.

Massage therapy will be available from Valerie Wimsett 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 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 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.