A reflection on what the miles are really building, and what Iceman asks of us.
We all know Zone 2 rides are where the fitness magic happens. Base miles. Aerobic engine. Patience and power. You’ve heard it all before, miles bring watts.
But what I’ve discovered, especially this year, is that long rides build something much more important than a race-ready engine. They build a quieter, deeper kind of endurance.
One that lives in your mind.
One that takes root in your heart.
And if you’re open to it, one that touches your soul.
Riding Through the Noise
Getting those long rides in isn’t easy. Life is packed, we’re raising kids, running households, building careers, managing relationships. Sometimes we’re just trying to keep our head above water.
And let’s be honest: carving out 3–5 hours for a solo ride can feel selfish. Like you’re falling short somewhere else. That guilt is real.
But I want to ask you something:
When was the last time you gave yourself time just to be? To process? To breathe without interruption?
The Ride That Woke Me Up
A few weeks ago, I rode 130 miles to mark the ten-year anniversary of my dad’s passing. I thought I’d use the miles to push myself, reflect on who he was, and remember the lessons he left me.
What I didn’t expect was how much space it gave me to process everything else, old wounds, present relationships, past decisions. I found myself reliving conversations with people who shaped me, for better or worse, and starting to understand what they meant.
And somewhere out there, deep in that ride, I realized something:
These long efforts aren’t just training. They’re therapy. They’re prayer. Their perspective.
What Does This Have to Do With Iceman?
A lot.
Because Iceman is the endcap of the season.
It’s not just a race, it’s a mirror.
You line up in Kalkaska and, for better or worse, the trail reflects everything you’ve built since spring. Not just your fitness, but your character. Your focus. Your grit.
We all know Iceman is unpredictable. Cold, fast, muddy, dry, sketchy, it can be all of them in the same day.
So let me ask you: When the trail punches you in the gut halfway up Anita’s Hill, what’s going to carry you through?
It’s not going to be watts. It’s going to be what you’ve built when no one was watching. The quiet miles. The solo rides. The days you almost didn’t ride but did anyway.
Zone 2 and Soul Work
When you’re 90 minutes into a solo Zone 2 ride, there’s no one to impress. No segments to chase. Just you, your breath, the hum of the tires, and whatever’s been weighing on you.
What’s something you’ve been avoiding thinking about?
What have your long rides been quietly helping you process this season?
I often listen to music, audiobooks, or scripture. Other times I ride in silence, just to hear what I’ve been too busy to notice. I’ve cried on rides. Laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe. Felt things I hadn’t let myself feel in weeks.
That’s when I remember:
The work I’m doing out here isn’t just making me faster. It’s making me more whole.
“Dirt Church”
Some people meditate, some pray, some journal.
Me? I ride.
Sometimes I call these long efforts Dirt Church, not because I’m trying to be clever, but because that’s exactly what it feels like. I get out there and open up. I listen. I let go. I forgive people. I forgive myself. I let God speak in whatever way He chooses.
Whether you share my faith or not, the truth still stands:
Time alone, in nature, doing something hard, that’s holy ground.
More Than a Race
Iceman is a race, sure. But it’s also a celebration.
A celebration of the miles you’ve ridden.
The person you’ve become.
The resilience you’ve earned.
Even if you don’t hit your time goal or snag a podium, ask yourself:
Did I grow this year?
Did I show up for the hard things?
Did I learn something about myself on those long, quiet rides?
Because that’s endurance too.
And that kind of endurance?
That’s what Iceman is really about.
Take This With You
So this November, when you line up and the nerves kick in, remember this:
You’ve already done the hard work.
You’ve built more than watts.
You’ve built you.
Thank you Gerald Gaecke @g_dubs83_ for being out August guest blogger. You may recognize Gerald as he is one of our 2024 Iceman Ambassadors (Trailblazer)!