Any advice for a Iceman Cometh Newbie?

I run on the race course often - usually the more middle sections - and I have noticed a lot of small elevation changes. Like mentioned, it is fast, so my best advice is don't stop pedaling down those little hills to maintain your momentum going up the next. Carrying your momentum through those short climbs shave a lot time. Best of Luck.

Hydrate!!! If you don't have a camelbak get one.  the first half of the course is "easy".  The second half has some monster hills.

At the bottom of most hills is sand so be careful you'll see plenty of people fall in this area so don't follow too close.

When you get to Anita's Hill ask the old lady if this is the last hill and she will lie to your face.

The corse is fast again this year so bring your tire pressure up.

Have fun!

Grab a wheel and hang on every chance you get on the roll out and on the two track sections. Once it gets hilly after the Williamsburg road crossing your legs will thank you for preserving energy. Just make sure you draft a person who is as fast or slightly faster than you.

Oh yeah, don't forget to take in nutrition and to drink. Also, change into dry clothing quickly when you are done and bring beer money.

Thanks everyone for the advice.  It was a total blast!  While they said it was a fairly fast track this year ... the ground was firmer than usual.. it was still a little dicey in areas.  There was a long back up after the Wall.  So there was a probably a 4 minute delay going through this more technical area.

The course seemed great this year, they added around a mile of road and a more single track at the campground. I was gunning for the two hour mark, but missed it by a couple minutes thanks to the added distance and me going out a bit too fast. Next years goal, to go 1:55:xx or better.

I feel bad for those that were in the later waves. The line up at the wall was stacked 40+ deep from what I hear. People were also short cutting and riding down the wall around the snow fence.

Glad you enjoyed the first one!

I was in a later wave... the more technical part after The Wall was backed up 50+.  I remember a woman rider yelling... "don't stop"... of course this was a joke.  You couldn't go anywhere.  One of my buddies actually went down the fall line through the trees carrying his bike to make up time.

I am sure I lost a lot time.  But it was still very fun.  I will do it again.

One of the best times I have ever had on a bike. I expected to crush the course, instead, it crushed me. I now have an additional training goal for next year. Can I sustain yeat another passion? Time will tell.