In the middle of winter, one hardly thinks about the issues and challenges of high heat in Indiana when RAIN registration opens. All it took was one freak 57 degree January day for Donna Bush, Jeff Fennell, Tom Christman and Roy Burnham to sign up for a second Ride Across INdiana.

Fast forward 6 months and countless centuries later, and it's 70 degrees at 6 am in the morning at Terra Haute, Indiana. With blinking lights on, fully loaded water bottles, camelbacks and jersey pockets, the 160 mile trip across the Hoosier state began.

For those unfamiliar with the route, RAIN essentially follows historic Route 40 (think lesser known cousin of Route 66) across Indiana from Terra Haute to Richmond (west to east). The route deviates for some 50 or so miles to avoid Indianapolis but provides a much needed break from the continuous straight monotony of Route 40. There are no substantial climbs along the route however the occasional rolling hills toward the end of the 160 mile journey provide enough challenges.

It became apparent early in this years ride that there was less humidity, which is good considering the forecast high for the day was in the mid 90's. By the first stop with our SAG vehicle just east of Seelyville, our sprits where still high as well as our average speed, somewhere north of 19mph. A couple of gel packs, a spritz of water/Gatorade and we were off happily pedaling toward Richmond again.

As the morning wore on, the temperature skyrocketed to the mid 80's by the 10am Rest Stop in Plainfield. Optimism reined free, average speeds where still high but the euphoria around getting some fresh Gatorade seems to have faded from the early morning hours. Tom, our motivational speaker, mentioned cheerfully "Only 100 miles to go" ......thanks Tom.

Lunch came quicker than expected at mile 91 around noontime. The wonderful folks running the lunch stop opened the air-conditioned school up for the road weary. We took our time eating, hydrating and wondering how hot the asphalt was. It became apparent that some folks where calling it a day as SAG vehicles began showing the tell tale signs of DNF's, bikes on car racks. Undeterred by the heat and over half way through the ride, we pressed on. Gatorade is mentioned as one of the least favorite beverages of the group.

If there is one thing you can bank on in a high heat ride, it's the fact that people are going to quit. Last year, Roy DNF'd due to hydration issues and some of the same signs of heat exhaustion began to show up by mile 110. Donna Bush had the idea to soak a towel in the ice water from the SAG and wrap it around Roy's head. This proved an effective way of lower core temperature. One quick barf and we where all back on the road.

Miles 110 through 130 saw riders dropping like flies left and right. It seems like every few miles or so, a rider was under a tree, loading a bike in a SAG or slumped over a handlebar asking tough questions of themselves. Our beloved SAG driver Donna Christman began to stop every 5 to 10 miles during the last half of the ride to give us the extra support we needed in the heat.

Then it came down to the last 30 miles of the ride. The temperature was in the mid to upper 90's and average speeds where dropping into the mid teens. The sight of Gatorade induced nausea while the thoughts of solid food where out of the question for some. Mileage signs for Richmond indicated how far we had to go and ride organizers gave countdowns for the last five miles on the pavement.

Finally, the last right turn into Earlham College came. We checked in and came back to the van. The temperature on the car thermometer read 101. It was over. Some nine and a half hours of riding concluded with showers and a celebratory steak dinner in Richmond.

Many thanks to the never ending pulls by Jeff Fennell up front. Jeff proved his mettle by pacing us most of the way across the state. One cannot forget the SAG Support of Donna Christman either, without her infinite patience as our driver we would not have made it. Finally, the comradery and support of Donna Bush and Tom Christman when things got really difficult made it possible for us to finish together. Thanks to everybody for making this happen.

Official results posted at www.rainride.org.