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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBut what about strategy in between?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s say you\u2019re at Mile 12, and you know Make It Stick is coming up. You hear the drums in the distance, your heart rate starts to creep up, and you feel that early burn in the legs. What\u2019s your move? Do you burn a match? Draft off someone? Take the inside line?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decisions like these might not seem significant in the moment, but they can absolutely affect your finish once you hit Land\u2019s End Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When to Survive at Iceman: Ride Smart to Finish Strong<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Surviving doesn\u2019t mean coasting\u2014it means being strategic: lowering your heart rate, spinning in an easier gear, choosing a smoother (though possibly slower) line, or tucking in behind a group to draft and recover. It\u2019s a conscious decision to back off just enough<\/em> to stay in control and ready for what\u2019s ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know Iceman has plenty of spots where this is possible. The trick is knowing when<\/strong> to choose survival mode based on how you feel\u2014not based on what the rider in front of you is doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in the top 10 waves, you can afford to take more risks. Those riders have the fitness and handling skills to recover faster from mistakes. But if you’re like me, midpack and working hard just to stay steady, surviving at the right time can save your race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you race with a heart rate monitor? Wearing one on race day is as critical as your tire choice, nutrition, or bike setup. It\u2019s a key tool in knowing when to push and when to hold back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs It\u2019s Time to Survive:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I give myself this rule: \u201cIf I can\u2019t recover in 30 seconds, ride smart until I can.\u201d<\/strong> Places on Course Where Survival Might Be the Right Call:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rooty Climbs in the Vasa (Miles 23\u201325)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Late in the race, the legs are toast. These climbs will test your traction and balance. Pick the wrong line or attack too hard, and you\u2019ll be hiking your bike and losing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sand Pits After the Airport Start (Miles 1\u20135)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Iceman crew does a great job raking the sand, but it can still ruin a good rhythm. Light hands, steady cadence, and picking the packed line are key. You might slow down slightly, but it’s a good spot to let your heart rate settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singletrack Bottlenecks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve all been here. You\u2019re stuck behind a few riders, and the urge to pass is strong. Unless you\u2019re just a few riders back and can see a clean line, it\u2019s smarter to sit in and recover. Save your energy for open sections where a pass will stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Send It (When It Counts): Key Moments to Gain Ground at Iceman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sending it is about momentum, confidence, and timing. It\u2019s not reckless\u2014it\u2019s calculated. These are the moments where a little extra push can lead to big gains, especially if you\u2019re feeling good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wide Two-Track Before Dockery Road (Miles 2\u20138)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the earliest opportunities to settle in and make smart moves. The terrain is mostly wide, fast, and fairly smooth\u2014ideal for gaining positions and building momentum before the course tightens up. It\u2019s not technical, which makes it perfect for staying relaxed, keeping your cadence smooth, and finding a fast wheel to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a great spot to draft and flow if you’re in a group. Watch out for hidden sand pockets, stay light on the bars, and trust your line. This is a safe place to \u201csend it\u201d without overcooking the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Short, Punchy Climbs with Good Traction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Think: the climb before Make It Stick or Time Sucker. If the surface is firm and you\u2019ve got power, this is the time to go. Beating the rider in front of you to the top can save a lot of energy later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Descent Into Williamsburg Climb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast and wide, and if you keep your speed, you gain free momentum into the climb. Stay off the brakes, hold your line, and pedal through the downhill. Last year, I had to bail on my line because a rider in front stopped dead, so stay alert and ready to react!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right After the Icebreaker (Final Climb)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re tired, you want a Bell\u2019s beer, and the finish line is minutes away. If you\u2019ve got anything left, this is the time to burn it. Send it, pass who you can, and empty the tank. You\u2019ve worked too hard to coast now give it everything you\u2019ve got and leave it all out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Final Thought: The Mind Is Stronger Than the Body<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all reach a point where the legs say \u201cno.\u201d But the mind? That\u2019s where the magic happens. Whether you\u2019re pushing hard or riding smart, remember: you\u2019ve got more in the tank than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Race hard. Race smart. No regrets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n See you in the woods.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you to Chris Mutnansky @the_racing_ref for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The moment Labor day is behind us, I start stalking the Iceman website to see if the course has been released. We all know the airport start is flat and fast, and when we get to Land\u2019s End Road and Timber Ridge, the goal is to have enough left in the tank for those final, … Continue reading “When to Send It and When to Survive: Iceman Strategy for the Midpack Rider”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[205],"tags":[69,165,72,139,179,141],"class_list":["post-1202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trailblazer","tag-iceman","tag-iceman-cometh-challenge","tag-kalkaska","tag-training","tag-training-tips","tag-traverse-city"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1202"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1214,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1202\/revisions\/1214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.iceman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_5876.jpeg?resize=840%2C596&ssl=1\")
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That simple guideline has kept me from bonking many times over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.iceman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1916-scaled.jpeg?resize=840%2C473&ssl=1\")
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