• Frozen Fat Fondo Fest

    Frozen Fat Fondo Fest [4xF]

    Attention: There will be limited day-of event registration this year. Participants are urged to register online. $25 through 1/21/23, $30 between 1/22/23 and 1/26/23 at 12pm, and $35 day-of event. Register online through BikeReg here.

    2017 Fx4 Lineup
    Saturday January 27, 2024
    Credit Island Park - Davenport, IA
    Rain, Shine, Snow, or Slime
    Event Summary
    Continue to make history and be a part of FORC's ninth year of the Frozen Fat Fondo! The Fondo will be held -- rain, shine, snow, or slime -- on the beautiful shores of the Mississippi River at the Credit Island Lodge. Riders will test their mettle on a circuit featuring many technical challenges (b-lines available for most) through thick lowland forest and chunky river shoreline on this 3 hour endurance ride. Participate as a 3-person relay team or go solo. Fatbikes with tires 3.5" or wider are required to prevent rutting up the snow pack! No, we won't make exceptions. Please let there be a snow pack... Stick around after the main event for even more shenanigans and tomfoolery. All proceeds from this event benefit FORC to continue maintaining and improving local trails.
    Registration
    • Each member of a 3 person relay must register separately, selecting the "Relay Rider" option.
    • Online registration is now open! Click here to get started.
    • Online registration: $25 through Sat. Jan. 21st, $30 between Sun. Jan 22nd and Friday Jan. 26th at 12pm.
    • There will be limited day-of event registration for $35 (no registrations will be accepted after 10:15 am!)
    • Online registration closes Friday Jan. 26th @ 12:00 Noon Central.
    • Packet pickup is from 9:00 am until 10:15 am the day of the event.
    • Rain date is Saturday, January 27, 2024. ;)
    • Fondo "shotgun"? mass start is 11:00am.
    • Fondo participants are NOT required to purchase/possess a valid USA Cycling rider license. (see FAQ for further details)
    • Beverage donations accepted for post event shenanigans (see below).
    FFFFestival Timeline
    • 8:00 am - Course pre-riding opens
    • 9:00 am - 10:15 am - Packet Pickup
    • 10:45 am - Fondo Riders meeting (mandatory)
    • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Fondo Fatbike Challenge
    • 12:00 pm - Hot Chow sales begin
    • 3:30 pm - Fondo Awards
    • 4:00 pm - Raffle
    Fondo Categories
    Enter Solo or organize a 3 person team. Trophies for the Top Female, Top Male, and Top Team. Don't own a Fatbike? Buy, borrow, or rent one. Or be part of a team. Teams can share a bike and be co-ed. 3 person teams need to provide a Team Name and a list of members at packet pickup/check-in on the day of the event. Remember that each member of a 3 person team must register separately
    Fondo Format
    Bikes with tires greater than 3.5" are required to keep a level field. The Fondo is a group "shotgun" mass start at 11:00 am; teams are allowed to have 1 member in the start lap. You or your team need to complete as many laps as able. Last-lap cutoff at the check-station is 1:30 pm (2.5hr mark). No team lap overloading (one team member doing laps at any given time, no double/tripling up).
    Fondo Course
    The Fondo course uses the features and terrain in which Fatbikes have an advantage. You will encounter several challenges that will test your anti-whining mechanism. Everyone will probably hike-a-bike or walk a few features. Intentionally obstructing somebody passing you is lame. Passing someone? Don't expect a freebie; earn it.

    2023 Fondo Course can be viewed here.

    There is a 20 yard dismount lane by the lap count check station. Dismount prior to crossing the line, ensure your Bib number has been counted, and get on after the mount line. Those breaking the rules ride a penalty loop; no whining. Team relay exchanges must be conducted via a physical touch between team members. Or they get a penalty loop; no whining.
    Where's My Money Going?
    All proceeds from this event (entry fees & raffles) benefit FORC and will be used to purchase materials and tools needed to maintain and improve local singletrack trails.
    Want to Volunteer?
    It takes a small army of people working behind the scenes to make sure this event runs smoothly. If you would like to help out, post up in the Frozen Fat Fondo Fest 2019 thread on the forums or email the race director. Volunteers need to check-in at the registration desk the day of the event.
    Weather
    This event will happen on Saturday Jan. 27th regardless of weather conditions. Fatbikes don't give a damn and neither should you!
    Questions?
    If you have any questions about this event you can:
    FAQ
    What's a Fondo?
    Fondo is short for "Gran Fondo" which is usually a challenging long distance "race like" event were individuals are timed. There are numerous cross country skiing, running, and road biking Gran Fondo events held throughout the US each year. An after party is also common. The 4xF is our attempt at pigeonholing this event format to fit fatbikes and off-road riding.

    Do I need to buy the USAC 1 day or annual license to ride your Fondo?
    No. A 1 day or annual license is not required to participate. Per USAC Chapter 10: "10A1. Gran Fondo events are timed events open to all riders." Riders that hold a valid USAC license will receive preferential staging at the start in accordance with USAC rules. Watch out and make sure you uncheck the optional 1-day license USAC automatically selects for you (sneaky sneaky) when you try to register through their website.

    Can I use a wide tire mountain bike (plus bike) instead of a fat bike?
    Nope, this event is for true fat bikes with 3.5" or greater width tires. In the event of snow, skinnier tires will rut up the snow pack on the course and make it less enjoyable for everyone else.

    Will it be cold?
    Maybe? It's hard to say since the weather has been hit or miss over the years. We've tried to keep it as early as possible in the year to avoid a mud fest but that sneaky Midwest weather has gotten the best of us a few times. Be prepared for variable conditions on race day.
    The 4xF is a USAC sanctioned event.
  • 4xF - Images

    2015 solo mens winner threw down 9 laps in 3hrs.

    2015 solo mens winner threw down 9 laps in 3hrs.



    Brap.

    Brap.



    One of the many challenge features on the course.

    One of the many challenge features on the course.



    Stick around for the post race shenanigans.

    Stick around for the post race shenanigans.



    Volunteers make this shindig happen.

    Volunteers make this shindig happen.



    The raffle can get a little crazy.

    The raffle can get a little crazy.