Hello to all my fellow racers. I think I’m finally starting to thaw from race day. First, I want to thank everyone who took the time to read all the Trailblazer posts this year. It was truly an honor to be selected as a Trailblazer, and it kept me engaged all season long. Thank you to Kat, Lindsay, and the entire team at the Cherry Festival Foundation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

The Obstacle I Didn’t See Coming

This year, Iceman almost didn’t happen to me. Around May, I went in for my annual check-up and was put on a new medication. By July, I had a significant reaction to it and lost over 60 lbs. While losing weight is usually good, I knew something wasn’t right. I worked closely with my doctors at U of M Health, and we had to adjust medications several times.

With that significant weight loss came a notable decline in fitness. A simple Zwift workout took me three days to complete. My FTP dropped from 280 to 215. I couldn’t finish a regular ride without bonking. I raced Uncle John’s Gravel Race, which is flat, and at mile 19 the doubts set in. For the rest of the race, I convinced myself that Iceman wasn’t going to happen. I’d finish my commitment to the blog, but I’d step back from racing.

I spoke with my coach, and we developed a plan. I’d do one more gravel race, the Alpena one, since that’s where my wife grew up—but after that, the gravel bike would be retired for the season. I’d train straight through any remaining events and make Iceman the priority.

After that final gravel race in mid-September, I had about a month and a half to prepare for the biggest race of my year. I went into mild panic mode and started filling old water bottles with drywall plaster to add weight to the bike for climbing strength. Am I nuts? Absolutely. But desperate times call for desperate measures. In my mind, I was doing everything I could.

I kept up with my early-morning trainer rides, and on weekends, it was all about hitting the trails. I rode one of the toughest mountain bike systems in West Michigan, Cannonsburg Ski Area. I participated in TC Trail Fest and felt the effort, but the work on singletrack was rewarding. I didn’t care about timing or results. I focused on comfort in technical sections and rebuilding my strength. It was a positive experience, but I knew I still had a lot of work ahead.

Peak 2 Peak has always been something I look forward to, and my wife loves that weekend at Crystal Mountain, but this year had another curveball.

Our dog, Bow, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. Thankfully, it hadn’t spread, and he’s expected to make a full recovery. But with three vet visits, two surgeries, biopsies sent to Michigan State, tumor removal, and roughly $4,000 later, we decided to stay home with him. What we did for Bow, showing up, staying strong, not quitting, is precisely what I wanted to model for myself and for my daughter. When things get rough,

We fight.

With Peak 2 Peak off the table, I rode Cannonsburg nonstop. One thing the Iceman crew does incredibly well is clear the course of leaves. Riding on wet leaves felt like riding on ice some days. But I kept riding, climbing, and getting ready for Iceman week.

Iceman Week: Countdown to the Start Line

I drove up to Traverse City on Tuesday. I made a deal with my wife that I’d bring all our gear and Lucy’s stuff up early, so all she had to do later was show up with the Sugarplum. I wanted to preview all the new sections that were causing quite a stir on Facebook, Sow’s Ear, Gussie, and the new singletrack near the end.

Sow’s Ear wasn’t nearly as bad as the comments made it out to be. It felt like riding moguls, but it was completely rideable, just something to get through. The two-track afterwards helped spread riders out, which was huge.

I rode Slush Cup for a few days. It was a great way to see the finish, practice climbing, and get familiar with where moves would be made. At first, I wasn’t excited about climbing Icebreaker straight into Woodchip, but the new Red Bull corner that sent us back down was actually awesome. What wasn’t great was having zero momentum going into Woodchip. But that was a race-day issue.

The expo is always a highlight, and watching the Bonk Bros do a live podcast was pretty cool. Hearing them talk about the race eased my nerves. Spending time with my wife and kid kept me grounded. The Iceman group text, where everyone was buzzing with last-minute prep, was the final touch of a year-long buildup. The bladder was filled, and the kit was laid out; everything I could control was done.

Only one thing left to do:

Let’s ride.

Race Day: Chasing the Timber Ridge Finish

I boarded the bus from Grand Traverse Resort to the airport. The bus was quite quiet. I had my music playing, and my heart rate was low. Since I was in Wave 22, I had some time to warm up, stay warm, and wish friends in the earlier waves good luck.

I lined up in row 2 and froze in the chute until we began to roll. I had my goals written on painter’s tape:

• 12.5 mph avg
• Dockery by 36:00
• Williamsburg by 1:36

If I can stick to that, I’d have a shot at sub-2:30.

When we took off, I sprinted hard to catch up with a group. Facing that headwind, I didn’t care about burning a match or hitting a PR – I needed a draft. I tucked in behind the third wheel and let the group pull me along. I recorded my second-fastest time out of the airport and set a PR on the segment to the first singletrack.

Sow’s Ear was slower than pre-ride (8.5 mph vs. 9.6), but that’s just a part you get through. It doesn’t determine the outcome of a race.

After that, I let it rip.

I reached Dockery just after 37 minutes. I figured I could make up that time if I got some luck, but luck wasn’t on anyone’s side in the later waves.

As we approached the new Gussied Up section, I felt incredible. The best singletrack ride I’ve ever had. Legs felt strong, confidence was high. Then we slowed down… and stopped. No crash, no help needed, just a long bottleneck. Everyone was wondering why we had come to a halt.

Once we saw the hill, people said, “Really? This is what’s holding us up?”

The woman in front of me asked if I could give her some space so she could get over the first crest. She said that if she couldn’t, she’d step aside and walk it. She didn’t need to. She handled it like a boss.

Once I cleared Gussied Up, I knew PR hopes, sub-2:30 hopes, even sub-2:20 hopes were gone. But my race wasn’t.

I hammered. I passed when safe. I PR’d Make It Stick by 10 seconds. From there to Williamsburg, I either PR’d or was within seconds of it.

Williamsburg to the Finish: Let ’Er Rip

Once I crested Williamsburg, something clicked. I felt amazing. No fatigue. No cramps. Not a single sign of exhaustion. even cold. At that moment, I knew all the training had paid off.

This was the part of the course I love, wide open, fast, fun.

Ice Crusher is, in my opinion, the most challenging climb on the course. Long, steep, punishing. I had to hike it the last two years, but not this year. Riding Slush Cup helped—I recognized the entry, paced it right, put my head down, and powered up. I looked up once, and I was already at the top. I took over a minute off my previous best, and the legs still felt great.

The icebreaker and the Red Bull turn was fantastic. The singletrack into Woodchip was tight but ridable. The braking bump was a little wild, but manageable.

Woodchip with zero momentum is cruel and unusual punishment. It was one of my slowest Times, and the moment when my legs first started to feel cooked. But the flyover and pump track helped bring back the fun. No sharp turns before the finish meant you could absolutely let the bike fly.

I crossed the line at 2:42, and honestly, there’s so much to be proud of.

I rode the best I ever have. I passed confidently. According to Pass Data:

• Passed: 204 riders
• Passed by: 28
• Finished: 29th out of 95
• 11 minutes faster than wave average

Given the circumstances, it was an absolute success.

Takeaways from the Trail

This year brought many challenges and significant growth. I learned that just because you’re down doesn’t mean you’re out. I discovered more about myself as a rider and a person than I have in years.

This was the best bike handling I’ve ever experienced. I trusted the bike. I leaned into corners. I let the tires do their work. I didn’t brake unnecessarily. I learned when to coast and when to pedal through. For the first time, I didn’t brake in the singletrack because of my own mistakes, only because of riders ahead or backups like Gussied Up.

Before the slowdown, I was pacing for low 2:20s. What that time could have been remains a mystery to me. But focusing on mountain biking this fall was one of the best decisions I made. With the Michigan Off-Road Championship adding more races that fit my schedule, 2026 might have more MTB than gravel.

Lessons Learned Off the Bike

Life isn’t something we can fully control. As much as we wish we could, we can’t. I’m so grateful that, despite everything—being first-time parents, my health issues, our pets—Christine and I stayed “on the trail.” We adapt. We support each other. We never waver.

A big thank you to my wife for her patience, growth, and understanding with me and all my hobbies. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

To all my fellow riders, I appreciate you taking the time to read the blog throughout the year. Thanks to the racers who called out “Lucy’s Dad,” “Sleeves,” or said something kind and then passed me on course.

I hope everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season. I wish that your time with loved ones creates memories you’ll treasure forever.

Until then, grab the fat bikes. I’ll see you in the woods.

A HUGE thank you to Chris Mutnansky @the_racing_ref for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!

There’s a lot to unpack from Iceman Cometh 2025, some good, some not-so-good, and all of it worth reflecting on. So, let’s dive in.

First, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to every single person who makes this event happen. I’ve raced and spectated at many events over the past five years, and Iceman remains the most organized, thoughtful, and well-run of them all. It’s incredible to see how the race has evolved over the last decade, with small improvements each year that make a huge difference. It’s truly an event built for both riders and spectators, and it shows.

When I got my wave assignment this year, I wasn’t thrilled, but it did match the tone of my 2025 season: complicated, unpredictable, full of personal highs and lows, and not much in the way of performance. To be honest, this season was HARD. But it taught me a lot about resilience, about how tough people really are, and about how generous and supportive my circle is. I’m grateful for every single person who helped me keep going this year.

We arrived at Timber Ridge on Wednesday, and with the cold weather settling in, we didn’t do as much riding as planned. My husband and I did ride the final four miles, though, because let’s be honest, that’s what everyone wants to know. And I was so impressed. Real, tight, slightly techy singletrack right at the finish? I loved it. It challenged all of us and definitely opened some eyes to things that need to be worked on by a lot of participants I am sure.

Friday night, that familiar pre-race anxiety crept in. The “What if I freeze?” “What if I bonk?” “Did I bring the right clothes?” questions looped endlessly. I know I wasn’t the only one lying there mentally spiraling, please tell me I wasn’t.

Race day began with sending off two of my favorite riders, Kayla and Elliot Mercer, in their first-ever Slush Cup. I was so excited to see them out there. The turnout for the Slush Cup this year was incredible, and if anyone is thinking about dipping their toes into mountain bike racing, it’s such a great place to start. Do it.

The drive to Kalkaska is always quiet for me. This year, though, I felt a sense of calm and confidence. My gear test (a solid 30 minutes standing outside like a very confused snow statue waiting for Slush Cup to start) told me I’d be warm enough, so at least one thing was working in my favor. My husband wore shorts, because he’s psychotic. Our group all started within 30 minutes of each other, and my dad handled drop-off like the pro he is, making sure we were
ready, tires pumped, and nerves somewhat contained.

Wave 31 rolled into the chute, nerves and excitement buzzing, and then we were off. Once we hit the singletrack, I felt completely in my element. Sow’s Ear, which I’d heard about for weeks, was a highlight, fun, flowing, and everything I love about riding.

Then came mile 10. The mile 10. The Great Backup of 2025. We were stopped for about 30 minutes, and while I don’t know exactly what caused it, the atmosphere was surprisingly positive. People laughed, talked, made new friends, it was one of those moments that reminds you why the mountain bike community is so special. The only downside was how fast the cold set in. My warm sweat chilled, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the cold for the rest of the race.

The next 20 miles were tough. My seatpost, an upgrade from just days before, kept slowly sinking, leaving me more and more cramped. I fixed it a couple times, but it kept slipping slowly. Just one of those “part of racing” things that you mentally file away for later. I definitely informed my mechanic immediately after the race. Thanks, Velo Van, for not running in the opposite direction when I said, “So, something happened.”

Somewhere in that stretch came Make It Stick. I’d been unable to climb it in 2024, and I decided to give it everything this year. And I made it. That moment alone was worth a lot. The next 450 climbs? Hit or miss. And that’s okay.

The finish was everything I hoped it would be. I’d pre-ridden it, studied the lines, and knew it would be well-worn and challenging by the time I arrived. Ice Breaker was electric, as always, the fans truly carry you up that hill. A tight downhill corner caused trouble for some riders (and produced some incredible photos (thanks Nick Garrison), and Woodchip Hill delivered its usual dose of humbling. I made it halfway before walking, and honestly, no shame in that.
Then the pumptrack, such a great addition. Rolling out of it and hearing a group of people chanting my name was one of the best feelings of the entire day. I didn’t need to sprint to the finish, but it felt right in the moment.

I crossed the line and saw my time: 3:51. WHAT. My initial reaction was disappointment. I felt strong, and for a year that had been so difficult, I wanted the result to show the effort. I had signed up for Lady Athena and missed 5th place by just a few seconds, but noticed that my good friend Jamie got her first Iceman podium, and I was so happy for her. I started getting messages later that evening. There had been a timing correction. I actually did get 5th. I podiumed at Iceman. And that moment meant everything.

Overall, this is my favorite race of the year, every year. I look forward to it, think about it constantly, and feel both relieved and excited when it’s over. I’m deeply grateful to the Iceman Trailblazers program for inviting me to be a part of something bigger this year.

If there’s anything I hope people take away from this season and my posts, it’s this: even when things are hard, keep pushing. You are capable of so much more than you think. And yes, your butt belongs on that bike.

If you’re reading this and wondering whether you should sign up for 2026…you absolutely should.

See you out there.

Thank you to Haleigh Curtis @curtis_haleigh_mtb for being our 2025 Iceman Cometh Trailblazer.

What. a. day. Where to even begin? For a lot of us, Iceman is like a holiday. A big event we plan and wait for all year. And the Iceman hangover sure is real. I’m still feeling the effects of so much hype and good vibes a few weeks later! There is so much that goes in to making Iceman happen. I want to take a moment to thank the race organizers, volunteers, vendors, spectators, announcers, trail builders, and anyone else who plays a hand in making this very special day happen. The racers would not be able to do their thing without all of you and it is appreciated so much! Now, let’s get into the finer details. 

Leading up to Iceman I did not have a specific training plan in mind, however, I knew several classic out-and-back rides would be in my future. It is so fun to see many of the locals out on the course the few weeks leading up to race day. Living in Traverse City definitely gives me a “locals advantage” as I was able to scope out the course several times. This included a few new sections of singletrack like, Gussied Up and Sows Ear. Having a little PTSD from reading Gussied Up? Me too. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then you’re one of the few lucky riders that did not experience the infamous back-up of 2025. I also learned during pre-riding that Icebreaker was not going to be the last hill this year, Woodchip would claim the final push. I feel grateful that I was able to ride the course ahead of time so I knew exactly what was in store. 

Fast forward to the Iceman expo – does this feel like Christmas to anyone else? So many bike goodies available! The expo is a great place to get any last minute race needs or maybe even pick-up a new bike you’ve had your eye on! There are so many vendors with a lot to offer from nutrition, jerseys, shoes, gear, bikes, helmets, tools, you name it! Did I mention that a lot of the merchandise is on sale too? I was able to snag a pair of toe covers for my shoes that saved my feet from the chilly weather during the race! 10/10 recommend (shoe covers and spending time at the expo). 

Then, all of the sudden it is race day. The morning FLYs by. I was able to get to the start line pretty early so I had enough time to get ready and watch the first few waves take off! I was still debating what exactly I was going to wear. Race day was a little colder, with consistent cold temps, than what I had been training in and standing around in the cold had me questioning everything! Doing a few warm-up laps on the runway helped me figure out what to wear and my choices actually were pretty on point! Once my gear debacle was solved, it was time to line up! I was able to start in the same wave as my friend so that helped keep the nerves down and then all of the sudden we were sprinting away from the crowds! 

I had so much fun during the race. I felt good on the bike, was able to consume most of my nutrition, and kept the rubber side down. I saw several old and new friends out on course. I was able to chat with some riders around me which kept things light and fun. I even had a few racers ask me questions about the course as they quickly learned I knew the route well as I was calling out turns and hills. I kept it pretty simple for my nutrition – one energy gel and two bottles of Skratch Super High-carb. I ate the gel and drank about 1.25 bottles which is not bad for me! I made a conscious effort to drink during some of the slower sections or on the open roads before sprinting again. I knew after pre-riding that several of the singletrack sections were going to be slow, so I tried to enter those sections with a different mindset: rest and recover. Then hammer once the course opened up again. All the racers I was surrounded by throughout the day were very kind. It seemed like everyone was having a good time, even as we stood with a foot down before Gussied Up. The spectators on course were amazing as always! I heard my name called multiple times and I wish I knew who you all were that cheered for me but thank you!! You all made me smile and push a little harder. Before I knew it I was approaching the fly-over, pump-track, and the finish line! I was able to snag first place in my age group. After I blacked out (not literally) as I stood on stage it was time to enjoy the celebration zone! Sidenote – kudos to the Iceman organizers for announcing the women podiums first this year, what a treat! One of my favorite parts about Iceman is watching the pro’s finish. The energy on Woodchip hill as the pros come flying through (yes, flying uphill) is unmatched! You may also witness the occasional pro snag a dollar bill in their mouth or chug a beer mid climb! I highly recommend cheering on the pros at Woodchip hill. 

Just as fast as Iceman came, it is then over. Cue the hype and good vibes hangover. I am so proud of everyone who showed up on 11/8 to race from Kalkaska to Traverse City! It takes a lot of dedication, training, and hard work to even make it to the start line. I hope you all smashed your goals and had a blast doing it. I hope you all come back next year and invite all your friends! If you have ever considered trying this race out, I hope you do it. You won’t regret it! Let’s keep the good times rolling. See you all next year at the start line. 

It has been an honor to be a trailblazer this year. I have truly enjoyed writing these blogs and I hope you enjoyed reading them! Looking forward to hearing what the 2026 trailblazers have to share!

A HUGE thank you to Haleigh Dunn @life.with.haleigh for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!