Ride Across Indiana (RAIN)

RAIN 2026 is a one-day bicycle ride across Indiana. Both the main 168-mile course and the 205-mile extended route begin at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, Indiana. The routes cross the state to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. You should condition yourself for this ride, limit your time off the bike during the ride, and be able to maintain a rolling average at least 14 mph for 12 hours.

All riders must register to participate in RAIN. Your early registration ensures purchased merchandise will be available the day of the event, and that rest stops are properly stocked and staffed. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, so plan appropriately. You have the opportunity while registering to purchase 3rd party ride insurance.

Your entry fee includes: Rider flag with your number; 5 rest stops during the ride (+1 rest stop on the 205-mile route), rest stop #3 includes lunch; food at the finish, and a coveted Finishers Medal.

Participants must wear a bike helmet. Daytime visible bike lights are strongly recommended.

2026 RAIN volunteer descriptions below. Once you’ve signed up to volunteer, a volunteer lead will reach out to you with additional information.

• Course Marking Volunteers: Driver + ride-along passenger(s) mark the route using templates and yellow spray paint. These teams will also place signs as designated. When: Sunday June 21st, early AM to mid-afternoon.
• Rider Check-In / Merch Sales: Check in riders giving them their fanny flags and prepaid merchandise. Check-in riders and volunteers staying at the YMCA. Place signs around the YMCA and start line area. When: Friday, June 26, 2-6pm / Friday, June 26, 6-9pm / Saturday, June 27 6-8am
• Rest Stop Volunteers: Set-up and tear-down. Keep food and water supplied, control bicycle and vehicle traffic in and around the rest stop. Place signs around the stop.
  • Rest Stop #1, South Putnam High – Saturday, June 27, 7am-1pm
  • Rest Stop #2, Moorseville High – Saturday, June 27, 8am-2pm
  • Rest Stop #3 (Lunch!), Franklin – Exact Location TBD – Saturday, June 27, 9am-4pm
  • Rest Stop #4, Morristown High – Saturday, June 27, 10am-6pm
  • Rest Stop #5, Dunreith Fire Department – No volunteers needed
  • Rest Stop #6 (200 Mile Route), Prairie Creek Trailhead – No volunteers needed
• Finish Line Volunteers, Richmond at Earlham College – Set-up and Tear-down. Keep food and water supplied, control bicycle and vehicle traffic in and around the Finish Line. One person should be designated to scoop ice into rider water bottles. Pass out finisher medals. Document rider finisher times. Also place signs as designated. Direct riders and rider supporters to showers, etc. When: Saturday, June 27th, 1-5pm and 5-9pm
• Sign Pickup Volunteers – Driver and Passenger drive the route picking up signs. At completion turn the signs over to a designated volunteer or bring them back to Indy for later pickup.
  • June 27, Post Ride, Terre Haute to Indy Section
  • June 27, Post Ride, Indy to Centerville Section
• Sag Driver / Tail Driver –  Using your multi-passenger vehicle with 2-4 bike capability, follow the tail of the ride (slowest riders) from Terre Haute to ride mid-point. Riders that do not have their own sag that have a major mechanical or unable to continue, can catch a ride with their bike back to Terre Haute or onward to Richmond. Vehicle mileage can be reimbursed.
  • Terre Hauge to Indy Section, June 27th, 7am – 2pm
  • Indy to Richmond Finish, June 27th, 2pm-9pm

Non-riding volunteers can spend the night for free at the Terre Haute YMCA (camping in the gym) and get a free breakfast to start the day. Volunteers are also invited to join the Friday evening social gathering with riders and the Ride Planning Committee.

Discount code for yourself or a family member. Volunteers can request one discount code for themselves or a family member to register to ride for free. First register to volunteer, and then let us know you need a discount code at rain@centralincycling.org.

There are only two volunteer roles that can be done by someone  also riding on Saturday: Course Marking and Friday Registration / Check-in.

The RAIN Jersey was available for pre-order until May 1st. Pre-ordered jerseys will be available for registrants to pick up during either Friday evening or Saturday morning registration check-in.

After May 1st, the jersey will be available for direct order from Peak1 – Direct Order Link. This order form will be open until July 5th. Direct order RAIN jerseys will be shipped around Aug 22nd directly to those who order them. Some RAIN riders wait until the *finish* the ride before they order their jersey for that year. A limited supply of jerseys will be available for sale at check-in for $80 each.

RAIN t-shirts were available for pre-order until June 1st on the RAIN registration form. T-shirts are available in both crew neck and v-neck styles. A limited supply of t-shirts will be available for sale at check-in for $20 each.

RAIN starts at 7 am at Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute, Indiana. Here is a map of the starting area, showing the rider drop-off area, the motor vehicle parking area, and the cyclist line-up area.

Saturday Ride Schedule: 6:55 am: Pre-ride briefing  /  7:00 am: Start of RAIN / 9:00 pm: Earlham Building and Showers Close / 10:00 pm: Finish line and course closed. Riders must finish by 10:00 pm to receive a Finisher’s Medal.

Box Truck – There will be an open box truck in the YMCA parking lot on Saturday morning, 6:00 am – 7:30 am. Toss your bag(s) into the back of the truck. This truck travels to Richmond and the finish line with rider bags and overnight gear. Make sure to put your name and contact information on your gear bag, since many bags look alike. You do not need a reservation to put your gear bag(s) in the cross state box truck.

Rider Drop Off Area – This is different for 2026 due to construction in Fairbanks Park. The YMCA parking lot is the rider drop off area. Support drivers can loop around the YMCA and drop off riders in the YMCA parking lot. Do not drive your riders into Fairbanks Park via Oak Street. The rider drop off is at the YMCA, accessed via Farrington St.

Getting to the Staging Area – Riders then pedal north along the riverside multiuse path to the staging area. Riders should estimate their expected finish time and line up with riders of similar ability, according to the signs posted along the starting line staging area.

Motor Vehicle Parking – Park vehicles only in the designated surface parking lot at the corner of 1st St (AKA Riverside) and Oak St. Do not park overnight or on Saturday in the YMCA lot. The YMCA needs that lot available for their local patrons.

Friday packet pickup is from 4:00 to 9:00 PM, and Saturday, the day of the ride, from 5:00 to 7:00 AM. Pickup on both days is at the Vigo County YMCA (951 Dresser Dr). The location of the YMCA is shown near the bottom of this map.

The YMCA is also the rider drop off location on Saturday morning, accessed via Farrington St.

The Registration Check-In area is also where you’ll pick up pre-ordered jerseys and t-shirts. There will be a limited number of jerseys ($80) and t-shirts ($20) available for purchase.

Prior year RAIN Finisher Medals – Did you break or lose a prior year RAIN Finisher Medal? At the check-in and merchandise table, we’ll have many prior year medals onsite and available for a $10 donation / each. We will need to look up your name in the finisher list, to confirm that you did finish RAIN that year.

Rider Number Tags Must be Worn – To have access to rest stops, to receive lunch, and to have a time recorded at the Earlham College finish line, a rider must have a number attached to the right-back side of jersey. Please do not lose, mangle, or crumple your rider number.

In addition to identifying you as a RAIN Rider throughout the event, the number tag must be visible to record your time at the end of the ride in Richmond.

Double Century Riders must stop and check in at the 173-mile rest stop (Cardinal Greenway Trailhead) to get a 200-mile RAIN sticker for their Rider Number Tag. This proves they completed the double century RAIN route.

As stated in your signed waiver, helmets are required for all riders. If your bike helmet is older than 5-years or has been dropped or involved in a crash, or has any visible damage, replace that helmet. A damaged or degraded bike helmet will not provide the same protection.

CALL 911 for emergencies. All traffic laws and instructions from uniformed officers must be obeyed. Riders should exercise extreme caution when riding in a pace line or following other cyclists.

No handouts allowed from moving personal support vehicles (PSVs). No riding alongside or hanging onto PSVs. RAIN provides very limited sag vehicle support. Please plan accordingly.

RAIN proceeds regardless of weather. Make safe decisions about continuing to ride during a weather event. Cyclists should seek shelter in case of severe rain and wind. In case of lightning, seek shelter in a public building or stay in your PSV. Avoid standing in open fields or on the top of a hill, and stay away from metal fences as well as isolated tall trees or other tall objects.

Bike Lights – Daytime visible flashing front and rear lights are highly recommended for all riders. Any riders that continue and finish after dusk and into the dark MUST have quality bike lights (front and rear) along with reflectors that are visible from the side. We recommend a backup pair of lights due to the length of this endurance ride. To continue riding after cutoff times at the 138- and 173- mile checkpoints, we will be checking riders and bikes for bike lights. If a rider continues to ride at night without lights and reflectors, they have knowingly violated the safety rules and are no longer participating in the RAIN Ride.

Maintain Your Bicycle – Many bicycle crashes are due to lack of proper maintenance. Get your bike tuned up professionally before RAIN. Do an ABC Quick Check before you get on your bike Saturday morning.

Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious or dangerous behavior to a RAIN representative. Call 911 for any emergency or public safety situations.

Respect our hosts by removing cleats before entering buildings, by honoring no-alcohol policies, and by using designated restrooms (not lawns).

Personal Support Vehicles – Personal Support Vehicle Drivers (PSVs) should slow down and give more than 3-feet when passing cyclists. Use caution flashers if you are driving a PSV behind a group of riders, and maintain a safe (generous) following distance. Pay attention to PSV guidelines and alternate PSV routing, especially near rest stops. Some rest stops may not have a safe way for PSVs to pull in and out. PSV Guide and Route Links

Support Drivers – Pay Attention! – Do not make phone calls, text while driving, or eat your lunch while driving. There will be hundreds of bicycle riders participating in RAIN, and the support drivers are a critical part of keeping participants safe. Pull over at a safe location if you need to make a phone call or respond to a text message.

Don’t Litter – Put your trash and wrappers into trash receptacles. Carry trash until you can hand it off to your support vehicle or throw it away at the next rest stop.

Notify and Communicate – Notify other riders when you are approaching, joining a group to draft, and when you are passing.  It is better to be loud and clear than to not be heard.

Drafting and Group Riding – If you are not experienced in group riding or riding in a paceline, please practice this first at local club rides before trying this at RAIN. Do your research and watch group riding and paceline safety videos as part of your learning process. Drafting and group riding is a significant part of RAIN, but we need to know what we’re doing for that to be safe. How to Ride in a Paceline & Paceline Riding Etiquette

E-Bike Policy and Etiquette – See the Hilly Hundred e-bike policy. We’re following the same guidelines for RAIN, and we allow for Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. With the high mileage of RAIN, your primary issue for an e-bike will be staging backup batteries. Charging outlets will not be available at the outdoor rest stops, and you shouldn’t count on that. E-motos, e-mopeds, e-scooters, and electric one-wheels are not permitted.

Signage and roadway markings clearly mark the route. In addition to the signs, a painted raindrop on the pavement containing an “R” indicates a turn with the narrow “point” of the drop.

2026 Route Maps – These are planning maps, and could change up to one week ahead of the event.

• 168-Mile Route Map (2026 RAIN)
• 205-Mile Route Map (2026 RAIN)
• Map of the start area in Terre Haute

The PSV Guide is posted here. If you have a Personal Support Vehicle (PSV) assisting you, it is your responsibility to ensure your support crew reads the guide and drives on the PSV route. The PSV Route is intentionally different from the Rider Routes for safety reasons.

• Starting Area Map – Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute
• 168-Mile PSV Map – Ride With GPS, GPX File, and Google Map
• 205-Mile PSV Map – Ride With GPS, GPX File, and Google Map
• Finish Area Map – Earlham College, Richmond

Get your bike tuned up professionally before you attempt this long distance ride. This ride isn’t just hard on you, it is hard on your bicycle.

Riders are expected to be able to perform minor repairs (like changing a flat tire) themselves or with help from their Personal Support Vehicle.

Buckskin Bikes will be available on Friday evening (near the YMCA), Saturday morning (near the YMCA), and along the route at rest stops. Riders are responsible for their maintenance and repair expenses.

For supplies or major repairs, bike shops along the route are:

J’s Bikes (Terre Haute)
164 West Honey Creek Parkway
Terre Haute, IN
812-234-1969
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m; Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Crossroads Cyclery (Terre Haute on RAIN route)
1102 Ohio Street
Terre Haute, IN
812-242-BIKE
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Gear Up Cyclery (on US 40, one half mile east of RAIN route and on PSV route)
124 W. Main St.
Plainfield, IN
317-203-5045
Saturday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Family Bike Chain (on US 40 one-half mile east of the RAIN route and on PSV route)
109 East Main St.
Greenfield, IN
317-462-6008
Saturday from 10:00 am– 4:00 pm

Water and sports drink will be provided at all rest stops. Foods such as fruit, nuts, PB&J, cookies, etc. will be available at all stops. A grab-and-go lunch is provided at the lunch stop.

• (mile 34, shared) South Putnam High School
• (mile 61, shared) Mooresville School
• (mile 89, shared) Rocklane Church, Greenwood, IN – LUNCH STOP
• (mile 115, shared) Morristown K-12 School
• (mile 138, shared) Dunreith Fire Dept, where the 168- and 204-mile routes split
• (mile 173, double century only) Prairie Creek Trailhead on the Cardinal Greenway

The rest stops have a schedule. This is when the rest stops will be operating. If you leave early, you may arrive before a rest stop is set up. If you’re running late, the rest stop may not be there and you’ll need to self-support by stopping at stores and gas stations. Thank you RAIN Volunteers for supporting riders during their cross state challenge!

The finish line at Earlham College (801 National Road, Richmond) will close at 9:00 pm EDT. Riders’ times are recorded when they cross the finish line. After that they need to SLOW DOWN, enter the lane in single file, allow RAIN staff to record their rider number, and proceed to collect their finisher’s medal. To ensure accurate time recording, it is crucial that riders follow the directions of RAIN staff.

Restrooms and showers are available at the Earlham Athletics and Wellness Center. See the Earlham College Finish Detail Map for picking up riders at the Earlham College finish line. Earlham is a dry campus and participants and their crews are asked to respect the no-alcohol policy.

Historic RAIN Finisher Records | Congratulations to all riders!

• RAIN 2026 Google Spreadsheet (sortable), 168-Mile Finishers (PDF), and 205-Mile Finishers (PDF)
• RAIN 2025 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2025 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2024 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2024 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2023 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2023 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2022 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2022 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2019 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2019 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2018 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2018 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2017 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2017 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2016 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2016 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2015 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2015 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2014 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2014 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2013 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2013 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2012 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2012 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2011 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2011 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2010 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2010 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2009 Finishers By Time,
• RAIN 2008 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2008 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2007 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2007 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2006 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2006 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2005 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2005 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2004 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2004 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2003 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2003 Finishers By Time
  RAIN 2002 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2002 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2001 Finishers By Name, RAIN 2001 Finishers By Time
• RAIN 2000 Finishers List
• RAIN_1999 Results
• RAIN_1997 Results
• RAIN_1996 Results

Everybody prepares for RAIN in their own way, and there is no right way or wrong way to do it! The web is full of suggestions on training. Do some searching and see what you can find that suits your fitness level and time availability. The key is to get out and ride!

Below is an article written for us by a club rider who has ridden RAIN multiple times. You’ll note that he considers himself an “average” rider! You can do it too!

Get out and ride!

As an average rider, who will be 61 on my next birthday, I have ridden RAIN five times, as well as multiple centuries and double centuries. I was asked to provide my thoughts on preparing for RAIN. This is not an exhaustive list of things to consider, but for someone new to an endurance event like RAIN, it may provide some insight into their preparation.

There are three areas associated with an endurance event like RAIN:

• How you prepare your body
• How you prepare your mind
• How to sustain your effort during the ride.

How you prepare your body

After a long winter, getting back on the road and logging base miles is important. Start easy and work your way up to several long rides leading up to RAIN. If you can’t get in or have the energy for a full century, try to cobble together consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday rides to reach 100 miles or more. Long rides get you in shape physiologically as well as mentally. Knowing that you have completed a century or more prior to RAIN gives you that added sense of confidence. Besides your legs, long training rides will train the muscles in your back, neck, and arms and help you figure out whether your current saddle is suited to a 160-mile ride.

How you prepare your mind

I have always looked at endurance events such as running or cycling not based on “I know I can make it” but rather “how good or bad do I want to feel after the event?” I may be a bit compulsive, but I try to plan everything I will need for the ride and go over my list multiple times. Do I have a mileage base that I feel comfortable with? As I stated above, confidence comes from knowing I will be able to ride 160 miles in one day. Is my bike tuned up and ready to go? During my first RAIN ride, my rear derailleur cable broke and I rode the final 50 miles with two gears. Lesson learned: check cables, brake pads, chain, etc. and replace if necessary before RAIN. Many of us have taken our bike to the local bike shop for a tune-up before an important ride only to discover a problem during that ride. If you are going to have your bike worked on, try to get it done a couple of weeks—not days—in advance and ride it several times to make sure everything is working properly.

If you have a Personal Support Vehicle (PSV) meeting you at the rest stops, have them carry several spare tubes, an extra tire, and tools you may need for a mid-course adjustment.

Knowing you have a good base and have a plan for RAIN will provide added confidence and help eliminate any undue stress.

How to sustain your effort during the ride

Nutrition and hydration are key to a successful RAIN ride. Some RAIN rides are extremely hot, others are windy—in either case staying properly fueled and hydrated is important. I have tried many different things over the years. Water, Gatorade, Gatorade mixed with Diet Mountain Dew, and Pedialyte. It is easy to forget to drink when riding. There’s the old saying that when you get thirsty it is already too late. Continue to drink throughout the ride. The night before, drink water, Gatorade, or something to make sure you start out hydrated. Sometimes we forget to drink when getting carried away with the ride. A rule of thumb I use is to take a sip from my water bottle whenever I see someone else take a drink. It doesn’t need to be a big sip, but it reminds you to drink.

Nutrition is also important and if maintained will help you get to the finish line. Remember you are going to burn a lot of calories riding 160 miles. I have tried GU, Clif Bars, peanut butter sandwiches, and other protein and energy-rich foods. At the rest stops, one of the best things I have had is watermelon. Eat something. Believe me, if you don’t eat because you just don’t feel hungry, you will pay for it later. The key is to experiment/practice this spring with what you are going to eat. See what your stomach can tolerate and what tastes good. What tastes good at the beginning of the ride may not taste so good in the later stages.

The RAIN committee provides a great assortment of food at each rest stop and a nice lunch around 90 miles.

Final advice

Warm up, ride at your own pace—this is not a race. The goal is to get from Terra Haute to Richmond in one day, safe and sound.
The late Robin Williams was once asked why he loved riding a bicycle so much. His answer was wonderful and true: He said it was the closest you can get to flying.

Enjoy our ride. Prepare physically, mentally, and nutritionally and you will have a great day.

Email rain@centralincycling.org with questions, comments, or compliments.