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!