FoCo Fondo p/b Fat Tire adds NEW 145-mile Route
The 7th Annual FoCo Fondo is back on July 24th in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a new look, and five route options and the addition of a new 145-mile route
After many years of dreaming, FoCo Fondo has added a Triple Dog Dare You 145-mile route that enters the Red Feather Lakes area in the mountains. "It's been a long-time dream to access this special area that is so close to Fort Collins. I'm thrilled to be able to bring it to riders this year and showcase the breadth of what our area has to offer" says Zack Allison, race director.
The Triple Dog Dare You Route starts off as all the routes do: on fast rolling gravel out east with an overall elevation gain to Carr, Colorado at 5712 feet. From Carr, riders head west towards the mountains, over Park Creek Reservoir, a several minute climb. Thanks to the Roberts Ranch Preservation Trust, on event day only, riders will be able to access a cattle run on private land to go under Highway 287 and connect back with County Road 76H.
From there, the fun begins. Climb #1 is up Cherokee Park Road. Although much of it is still fast rolling, riders gain serious elevation on this exposed climb. A quick descent will follow with a hard, almost U-turn to the left to start the second climb up 67J. Riders will be relieved to have much of this in the pine and aspen forest for some much needed shade. The climb finishes at an elevation of about 8000 feet before hooking a left down an unforgettable B-road descent down County Road 82E.
This completes the lollipop as riders head back to where they came from, back through the cattle run, back over Park Creek Reservoir, while absolutely flying and losing elevation all the way back home to the finish at New Belgium Brewing. The finish includes a dirt loop on the New Belgium property for a final opportunity to shake any tired ridemates. The final route will be shared the week of the event to allow for any last-minute changes required by the city or county.
The Triple Dog Dare You Route will have a $6k prize purse funded by Source Endurance with matching dollar-value prizes for the non-binary category. It also continues with the FoCo Fondo tradition of handmade bolo ties for those coming in under a certain timestamp: 8 hours and 20 minutes for the male category and 9 hours for the female and non-binary category. The bolo ties tradition will still continue for the 102-category and the two will be distinguished by color.
FoCo Fondo was born in 2015 from a love of limit-pushing exploration. Zack and Whitney Allison seek to support riders’ adventures of all-levels and bring them together for a limit-pushing shared experience and a funky fun time.
Routes include 12-, 32-, 53-, 102- and the new 145-mile route. It wraps up with a big festival with local live music, flowing Fat Tire, and a huge mix of local favorite businesses and bike industry partners.
The pre-event activities kick off July 23rd with coffee meet ups, shake-down rides, of course some Fat Tire too. The main day, Sunday, July 24th, kicks off early at 6am for 145-mile riders and with the bell-curve finishing from 11-2pm. Live music, activities for kids, local businesses and bike industry vendors round out the finish-festival fun.
Leading into event day, FoCo Fondo focuses on inclusion of riders of all backgrounds through thoughtful partnerships, free, monthly training rides, connections to experts and important resources, and providing entries and housing to those that need it. The event is as much about lifting up local heroes as it is carefully selected partners in the cycling industry.
FoCo Fondo is a part of the Bike Sports family, a funky fun bike brand by long-time professional bike racers and current gravel athletes, Whitney and Zack Allison.
Whitney recently came 4th overall at 2022 UNBOUND 200 mile gravel race with a blazing time of 10h 57m and partner Zachary came 83rd overall in the in pro men’s race in a time of 12h 20m.
Photo: Whitney Allison came 4th overall in the women’s category at the 2022 UNBOUND 200 mile gravel race in Kansas, she is one of America’s top female gravel racers
Bike Sports is committed to expertly guiding your two-wheeled experience. From fuelling the fun to pushing limits, we believe in a bike’s ability to open opportunities and realize dreams. While the industry is full of noise, wrong turns, and potholes, Bike Sports paves the way to a funky fun cycling adventure for all.
This is not an old, stodgy, leather chamois, road race ride. This is a foot out, flat out, dirt, gravel, mixed terrain, make it to the finish and win a bolo tie kind of event. Ride it, race it, or something in between. It’s an event for the people…the bike lovin’ people.
The 2022 theme is a dare with a smirk: Do It, You Won’t.
Learn more at focofondo.com.
