So…you signed up for the Iceman Cometh Challenge? Hey, congrats, I’ll see ya out there! You’ve officially committed to one of the Midwest’s most iconic (and unpredictable) point to point mountain bike races. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, this 30-mile trail party from Kalkaska to Traverse City is no joke. Let’s be REALLY real, most of us aren’t here to win. We’re here to ride, survive, break personal goals, maybe thrive, and not get passed by a 12-year-old in the final 2 miles (again, ugh). We are also here to have fun, ride bikes, drink booze, eat delicious food, and spend time with the best community on the planet.
Some folks are pushing 300+ watts and chasing QOM’s (or KOM’s) but what about the rest of us? We’re just trying to train smart, stay consistent, and maybe not walk up Make it Stick this year. Right now, we’re in that funky in-between phase where it’s far enough from race day to not totally panic, but just close enough to realize…oh crap, I haven’t trained as much as I said I would back in June. The good news is, it’s not too late. September 1st kicks off my semi-official, kind-of-structured-but-not-too-serious training block. That gives us 74 glorious days to climb hills, ride trails, eat snacks, ride with friends and pretend like we’re pros (HAHA, okay).
Last year, I had a big mindset shift. I stopped trying to be full gas on every ride and started focusing on just enjoying the process of riding my bike, having fun, making friends, and yes smashing singletrack when I feel good. I’m bringing the same vibe into Iceman 2025. Let’s be really clear when I say I’m starting a “plan”, I mean that loosely. Like, “I’ll write it in this blog and probably ignore it if I’m tired or if spaghetti and Netflix sounds better” kind of plan. This isn’t boot camp, it’s getting your butt in the saddle and spinning your legs.
At this point in the season, most of us have built up a decent endurance base enough to ride the flats, little punchy climbs and fake our way through a longer ride. Iceman is a sneaky little beast, though. The first 20 miles? Total fun. You’re cruising through two tracks and singletrack, feeling great, and then you hit Williamsburg and think, “Wait, that was 20 miles? I’m crushing this!” then… the climbing begins. Relentless, punchy, morale testing climbing. You grind it out, keep pushing, and just when you think you’re in the clear, Icebreaker shows up for your final dance. That’s the moment when your legs scream, your huffing and puffing, and you seriously start questioning all your life choices that led to this point. Remember, you paid for this.
I also want to note. Icebreaker hill is single handedly the MOST exhilarating experience. You have literally hundreds of people cheering you on, and those cheers get louder and louder as you get farther up the hill which gives you that last punch of effort you need. To be honest, I cry every time I get to the top because the vibes are so electric and that adrenaline is PUMPING. There is one particular rider that comes to mind when I think of this climb. He came around the corner out of the single track to start climbing and you could tell he was totally gassed, and the pros were about ready to close in. He got half way up and the look on his face was defeated and as he started to put a foot down, the crowd went absolutely WILD and this man started grinding and made it the rest of the way up without stopping. It was seriously the best experience to watch.
So, in early September, I’m easing into hill work. Twice a week, you’ll probably find me grinding up climbs at our local trail, Maple Hill. It’s short, but it’s got long punchy climbs and fun descents, perfect for simulating that last 8 miles of Iceman without driving to Traverse every weekend. Remember, not every ride needs to wreck you. Easy spins, races, gravel rides, recovery rides, and chill group rides all count. Sometimes the best rides are the ones that end with a group of people at a trailhead all talking about their life and all the amazing things they have done on a bike.
If there’s one thing that matters for Iceman, it’s time in the saddle. Most riders finish in 1.5 to 3 hours, so it makes sense to train your body (and booty) for that kind of effort. The next 68 days I’m aiming for longer rides at an easy to moderate pace, not spicy, just cruising. Let’s also talk about weather and trail conditions. Iceman has a reputation for being…well, unpredictable. It could be sunny and 60 degrees. It could be snowing sideways with some rain. It could be peanut butter mud. You really, just never know. As much as I despise riding in less than stellar conditions, I’m going to try to get out in those less than perfect trail conditions a couple times to ensure that I continue to stay confident in my bike handling skills in those conditions. Slick roots, sand pits, soggy thick dirt, and sketchy corners, bring it on. If there’s anything sketchier than a greasy downhill corner, it’s a greasy downhill corner with 30 other people around you yelling, “Rider Back”.
If you’re not peaking or following a rigid plan, that’s 100% okay, actually it’s more than okay. You don’t need a power meter or a coach. Just ride your ride, recover, and keep going. Keep your body happy, fueled, your bike in one piece, and your stoke high.
The real win? Just having a reason to ride consistently.
Training for Iceman doesn’t have to be extreme. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be fun, because that is the vibe of the whole event. So start where you are. Ride when you can. Push yourself a little, but not off an embankment. Come November, you’ll be ready, legs and lungs willing, to roll across that finish line at Timber Ridge RV Resort with a smile on your face and dirt on your teeth.
74 days people!
Thank you to Haleigh Curtis @curtis_haleigh_mtb for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!