I’ve done it twice now and the second year there were certainly more tactics on display, particularly people working through and off in pace lines, big energy savings to had doing that.
I’d also say the food stations are well enough stocked that unless you’ve got special needs (the dietary type) you can go alpine style with two bottles and a couple of emergency gels.
Ride your own pace, I entered the second feed station and saw the lead group just leaving and got really excited only to die a death from the final feed onwards, even if you train hard its still a long day and if the winds up the exposed sections will hurt.
Prepare to be bored, its not an exciting course with a few sections that look awfully similar and can make you think your mind is playing tricks.
I did 9 and a half hours last year with regular riding (longest ride 75 miles and 10,000 feet climbing) so as long as you’ve been riding and don’t go mad in the first 30 miles its doable.
As has been said tubeless is a must and in my eyes the ‘ideal’ bike would be drop bar and a 50mm tire, monstercross style.
All that said I’m singlespeeding it this year so kind of throwing all the tings I know will make it an easier day out of the window.