I went with a team last year, and I'm going again this year. Was a huge range of fast riders on fast bikes and casual folks on hybrids and even a MTB with slicks and full suspension. I just stripped my racks off and went with it (left the fenders on, weather's kinda iffy) on my LHT. I spent most of the time by myself in the middle of the pack, which is fine. There were strong crosswinds and with the varying skill levels of riders I'd just as soon have space around me thankyouverymuch.

Really it's about conditioning. A several-time TdF champion said it best: It's not about the bike. It's really about how much work you want to put into it. I spent day 2 of our MS150 last year dealing with a 15-20mph crosswind on my Surly LHT and just grinned every time the sag wagon went by with a bike rack on the back full of high-dollar CF road bikes. Put in some training time, keep a pace that you're comfortable with, eat a little before you get hungry and drink before you get thirsty.

And remember, as the Rando crowd says: It doesn't get harder, you just go slower. It's not a race.