Welcome to the 24th annual Ride Across INdiana - NOT Race Across INdiana. We are glad that you have joined us for this popular event. This Rider/Personal Support Vehicle (PSV) information sheet contains important information needed to successfully and SAFELY complete this grueling event. Please read carefully and follow the instructions on where cars are allowed to leap frog their riders (on US 40 only between US 231 (Rest Stop #1), and Plainfield (Rest Stop #2), and between Greenfield and the finish line at Earlham College in Richmond).
Many riders successfully complete RAIN without a PSV. If you decide to use one, please do not converse with or accept hand-ups from moving cars. Have your PSV drive ahead, park, then accept your hand-up from the back of the pack by a support person standing alongside the road. Tell them not to park on the highway!
The police escorted portion of the route will maintain a speed of not
more than 20 mph. This year's route turns south at Plainfield and
travels through the south side of Indianapolis. The route is very well
painted with yellow Dan Henrys: "A yellow circle with a line coming
out from the center pointing in the direction of the turn" and the
word "RAIN" before all turns and major intersections. Please use
extreme caution when riding in a pack or following other
cyclists. Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights!
The second rest stop is at the Plainfield Middle School. This is the same location as last year and will use the same route which passes through the school parking lots. Please refer to the RAIN map and follow the RAIN road markings.
The finish line is located at the beautiful 600-acre wooded campus of Earlham College. Follow signs through the campus to the Athletics and Wellness Center for restrooms and showers. PSVs are not allowed on main drive where the RAIN finish is located. PSV must circle campus and park in the RAIN Parking Lots - Follow the RAIN Parking signs. Please note that Earlham is a Quaker college, and as such does not permit alcohol or smoking on campus.
The ride begins promptly at 7:00 a.m. EDT from the campus of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. See directions to Saint Mary-of-the-Wood here.
Separate PSV access to Franklin Township Middle School. Follow US 40 from Plainfield to I-465. Then take I-465 south and east to I-74. Take I-74 to the Acton Exit (Exit 99), south 1/4 mile on Acton Rd, then right (west) 2 1/2 miles on Indian Creek Rd to Franklin Rd. Go north 1/4 mile on Franklin Rd to the Middle School parking lot. Do not park in the Circle Dr.
NO PSVs WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE EARLHAM COLLEGE'S MAIN ENTRANCE. PSV parking is available on the Earlham campus at the Carpenter Hall and fieldhouse parking lots. To reach these lots go past the main entrance and turn right (south) on College Avenue and enter campus from D Street. Follow Campus Drive to the appropriate parking lots. DO NOT park on the grass along the sides of Campus Drive or around the finish line. Overflow parking is available at the stadium lot off of G Street. It is only a few hundred yards from the parking lots to the Official RAIN Finish Line (for perspective, consider that the riders have gone 160 miles!).
RIDERS & PSVs, Please obey all traffic regulations & stop signs! It's a Ride not a Race! Do not follow riders the first 40 miles nor on narrow country roads. Please follow these rules for your rider's safety. Imagine 1,100 cars following 1000 bicyclists! This would be like three Tours de France run simultaneously without traffic support. Allow time for the cyclists to string out before attempting to find your rider. Please DO NOT follow the riders on the narrow country roads between the Plainfield rest stop and Greenfield. The best way to provide vehicle support is to leap frog using I-70. To provide support to your rider, drive on ahead, find a shady spot along US 40 and wait patiently. DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC BY CONTACTING YOUR RIDER FROM A MOVING CAR. Honk when you pass your rider, drive one mile up the road and park well off the highway. Your rider should go to the rear of the pack and receive his hand up of food and drink. DO NOT pass food or drinks, or talk, from a moving vehicle.
South Putnam School - Southwest corner of US 40 and US 231.
From Terre Haute, take I-70 to US 231. Turn north 4 miles to the intersection of US 40 and US 231. DO NOT block the rest area with your car. Please park BEHIND the paved area in the grassy field.
Plainfield High School - 709 Stafford Road, Plainfield, IN
From Rest Stop #1, proceed 24 miles on US 40 to Simmons Street at the NAPA Auto Parts store in Plainfield. Follow RAIN signs to the Plainfield Middle School. PSVs will be sharing city streets for the next mile with RAIN cyclists. Please use extreme caution. Park in the Middle School parking lot and watch for your rider under the large shade trees. PSVs must return to US 40 - DO NOT follow riders beyond this point. The country roads used to bypass Indianapolis are too narrow and congested for both bicycles and PSVs. Riders who need additional support can stop at the many stores and service stations along this part of the route.
Franklin Township Middle School - 6019 South Franklin Road.
Follow US 40 from Plainfield to I-465. Take I-465 south & east to I-74. Take I-74 to the Acton Exit (Exit 99), then south 1/4 mile on Acton Rd. Turn right (west) 2.5 miles on Indian Creek Rd to Franklin Rd. Go right (north) 1/4 mile on Franklin Rd to the Middle School parking lot on the west side of the school. DO NOT park in the Circle Dr on the north side of the school.
After lunch, the roads are still too narrow to
safely follow your riders. From the lunch stop,
take a left out of the parking lot onto Franklin Road, a left on Indiana Creek Road,
and a left on Acton Road onto I-74 West.
Follow I-74 northwest to
I-465 north. Take the Washington St (US 40) exit from I-465 east toward
Greenfield. You can wait patiently for your riders at the last stop
light on the east edge of Greenfield. The riders will rejoin US 40 at
Morristown Pike. There is a nice city park (Riley Park) on the northwest
corner of US 40 and Morristown Pike and a Casey's General Store on the
right, just east of the intersection.
Dunreith Fire Department, 219 1/2 National Road, Dunreith.
Continue towards Richmond on US 40 until reaching the rest area at the Dunreith Fire Dept.
Earlham College, Richmond, IN - No PSVs at the finish line! And no champagne or beer! Why? Because Earlham College is a dry (and smoke-free) Quaker campus--please respect their rules.
PSVs will not be allowed to use Earlham College's main entrance. It is for RAIN finishers and emergency vehicles only! PSV parking is available on the Earlham campus at the Carpenter Hall and fieldhouse parking lots. To reach these lots go past the main entrance and turn right (south) on College Avenue and enter campus from D Street. Follow Campus Drive to the appropriate parking lots. DO NOT park on the grass along the sides of Campus Drive or around the finish line. Overflow parking is available at the stadium lot off of G Street. It is a short walk from the parking lots to the Official RAIN finish line, and finish times are staggered enough to permit smooth traffic flow.
Back to the Top