A short contribution from me to add to all the current info up here about DC..

Apart from having the right level of fitness and eating / drinking right, the biggest mistake I see the majority of riders in this race make is very poor pacing strategy.

A well oiled, organised and smooth paceline would save the average team up to 30 mins in my opinion..

Some pointers;

1. Agree the way you will ride - a simple rolling paceline with one rider on the front at any one time, continually rolling, is the simplest to execute.

2. Have 2 ride captains who will make changes to the order of riders if anybody is suffering, and change the direction of rotation as the wind changes - you want to be coming up the line out of the wind.

3. The big one - keep it smooth and keep close to the rider in front at all times. On the way up the line you need to be hugging that wheel (if this is a problem then swap places and try a smoother or weaker rider) once you approach the front the rider in front of you should hit the front, pull left pretty much straight away and then ease back a touch on the gas - you then roll to the front and do the same thing. On the way back down the line you need to hug the wheel in front again - as soon as he/she has pulled off the line you need to attach to his/her wheel as you roll back down

4. Avoid any hard accelerations like the plague - every time you have to dig for 10-30 secs to close a gap, you are minimising your chances of feeling ok later..

5. On the rollers and on the climbs, the pace line stops and holds it's place - no rolling through. Decide who will be setting pace and stick behind them - no showing how well you climb by riding off the front and waiting at the top = VERY STUPID

6. Agree your stopping strategy and stick to it

7. Agree if you will or won't stop for punctures - and stick to it

8. Agree if you will or won't wait for dropped riders and stick to it..

9. KEEP IT SMOOTH AND TIGHT

Good luck to all...