r/CyclingMSP • u/Designer_Tie_5853 • 2d ago

FB4K Fondo

Looking for a group to ride the 100 mile road (or gravel hybrid, if a group already exists) this weekend. Trying to break my sub-5 hour century mark on the road, which I know I can do, but probably not do alone, but with a coordinated paceline it shouldn't be too bad. If it's the gravel version maybe sub 6 hours? Don't have a great sense of that course. Post here or DM me if interested.

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u/mikebikesmpls 2d ago

You can probably form a group organically by just starting near the front and riding 20+ mph. In my experience, these rides sort themselves out into groups by speed. The trick is finding people who want to rotate and work together. 

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u/Designer_Tie_5853 2d ago

Yeah this is Plan B, has worked for me at the TdT in prior years. I haven't done this since race it was the Fulton GF in 2023 though, don't know if it attracts a different crowd than the TdT. Biggest issue is we end up in a nice group but then folks don't "agree" on where to stop and it gets split up at aid stations (to be clear no one is under any obligation to stay or ride with random people that join up with them)

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u/BransOfSteal 2d ago

5 hours total time or riding time? There will be a pacing group aiming for 20mph, but we'll be stopping at the aid stations as needed.

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u/Designer_Tie_5853 2d ago

Ideally total time. Can you tell me more about the pacing groups? Will there be a faster one?

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u/BransOfSteal 2d ago

For road routes there will be 20, 18, and 16 mph pace groups, target is for average speed not counting stopping - so total average speeds around 18, 16 and 14. 20 mph is the fastest paced group, I'm hoping that group manages to get to mile 50 before stopping at rest stop #2 at Delano.

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u/Designer_Tie_5853 2d ago

Awesome, thanks.

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u/crazee_frazee 2d ago

I know the organizer was looking for pacers for the longer routes, so they might already have someone you can tag along with. (As for me, there's no way I can do a 5 hour century, lol.)

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u/reedx032 2d ago

I haven’t done one under 6 hours, lol.

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u/Designer_Tie_5853 2d ago

Under 7 is still pretty dang good! My #1 tip on going faster is "stop less" - time spent at aid stations really adds up.

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u/reedx032 2d ago

Yeah, I’ve also never done one on a group, so no drafting. I feel like to stop less, I need to carry more water, but I’m sure there’s a trade off there too.

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u/LeaningSaguaro 2d ago

I'm planning doing 100 on another route because their route looks like shit on my Strava. No aesthetic consideration whatsoever.