It depends on the event, my condition, how hard it is, how good the food is, how much of a hurry I am in and so on.

On one local event, that is reasonably hilly, I stop at all the rest stops. I know all of the volunteers and each stop has a theme. So there is socialization and goodies.

For centuries, stopping every 25 miles or so works pretty well (3 times). It is good to stop this much even if you don't feel much need. It gives you a bit of time to relieve the pressure points: hands, feet and bottom.

I have done a century on one stop though. I was feeling good on that one.

One suggestion is to make stops relatively short. I find when I stop too long, I have to "warm up" all over again.

Pat