One recommendation -- always get a state map. It's almost humorous to be in a small town and hear a radio or TV announce, "Tornado warning in XXX" -- and you don't know where XXX is, or where your are in relationship to it. Almost, because it could be northeast of you (past you, don't worry about it), or it could be 5 miles to your southwest (get in a solid building, away from the windows, and PRONTO!).

Mostly, we went by "What does it look like today?" As a result, there was the bad rainy day ride, the "do we ride some more or stop this afternoon?" day, the good rainy day ride, and the we got caught by a downpour but everything worked out well evening. Looking back, that was part of the fun!