April vs May

[Trek-chick]

Living in MI for at least 25 years, I would say it's hard to tell what the weather will do. I would maybe wait until May and whenever you decide to go....be prepared for rain and/or cold temps. There is a saying for around these parts...."if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes---it will change".

For example....I got married last year at the end of August on Mackinac Island (near the U.P.) on a Saturday...Friday was 75* and sunny, Sat (the big day) was 52* with rain at my outdoor wedding and Sunday was 80* and sunny....go figure. The weather here is finickey. Be prepared for anything is my advice.

[Bike Chick]

Catrin,

The Harmony Hundred is a great weekend ride in Indiana. It's in New Harmony and is 50 miles each day. The food is great, it's well organized and takes you through some really pretty country. I've done it twice and would definitely go again. http://www.harmoniehundred.net/

You might also check out Brown County, Indiana, as well. I believe there are 3 different rides in that area referred to as TRIRI (Touring Ride in Rural Indiana). http://www.triri.org/

And then for later in the year, there's always the Hilly Hundred! http://www.hillyhundred.org/

There's a lot of pretty country in Indiana and a lot of good cycling!

[indysteel]

Catrin, the weather during that time of year in Indiana is a crap shoot. You don't see a marked and consistent improvement until the last week or two in May, and even then, it can be cool and rainy. Best to prepare and dress for the worst. If you want dry, warm weather, early September is your best bet.

[OakLeaf]

TOSRV, which runs from Columbus to Portsmouth, Ohio, and back, every Mother's Day weekend, can have any kind of weather. 45° and rain, 85° and blazing sun (sometimes on the same weekend - BTDT). It's snowed at least once. You just don't know.

I'm not sure why the heck I signed up to run the Cleveland Marathon on May 16th. I think I'll bring my entire wardrobe, just in case.

[Bike Chick]

Just realized I missed the original question. My apologies. I am a bit further south than you but it can be a crap shoot here as well. In late April, early May you might start the day in a light jacket and shorts or you might start in tights, a balaclava and heavy jacket and either way you could be stripped down to a sleeveless jersey and shorts by noon. You would need to be prepared for anything and be able to pack it with you as you take it off.

[withm]

It sounds like you are doing this trip by yourself. As a brand new rider, there may be a lot that you have not considered. If that is the case, I'd be sure to have spare tubes for each bike (you do need 2 different sizes, right?), the ability to change the tire/tube, tools and wrenches to make adjustments and perform other fixes to each bike. Lights might be a good idea if you encounter a problem that you can't fix and get caught out after dark.

Carry a cell phone, but if you are on rail trails or farther removed from "civilization" be prepared for no signals. And then again, have a plan as to just who you are going to call if you need help. Do you have friends in the area you plan to visit? Broken chain anyone? Broken pedal? Broken leg? Even if you are only doing 5-10 miles rides, stuff happens, and you may be far enough off the beaten path that help is not readily available.

I applaud your enthusiasm but am concerned that being so new to all of this you could leave yorrself open to some unforseen difficulties. We can't plan for every contingency but it does help to have some plans in mind in case stuff happens.

[Kathi]

Are you locked into late April or early May? As others have said the weather can be a crapshoot.

You could base yourself out of Xenia, Oh. It's the center of the bike trails and if the weather gets nasty you have a quick return.

A not to miss ride on Memorial Day is the Horsey Hundred in Georgetown Ky.

And when you're ready for a tour TRIRI is a good one. I've done it by myself and enjoyed every minute of it.

As others have said be sure to have appropriate rain gear with you. Sometimes the weather can be really gray and nasty looking but not a drop of rain falls.