Month: February 2022

We Hear You!

And we agree, you will have the option to drop your time from 2019 when calculating your average time for your wave placement.  We have had a few other really great questions come across email and social media over the last few years, here are the answers. 

Can you give us a few examples of how to average our results?  

Sure! In fact, we made a calculator to help out as well. You can download it here.  

If you only raced one year since 2017 2016, you can use that time to calculate your wave place. If that one year is 2019, we can’t change that. So if your time is greater than 2:59:47 and that is your only year, then you can enter any wave after wave 28.  

If you have three times and one of them is 2019 and it is dragging down your average (because it was a very muddy year with long waits and longer times), average together your other two times.  

Are you really double checking this information?  

Yes. You will be asked a series of questions during registration (we will send these out to you head of time). These numbers will be compared with our list and we will verify your average calculation before placing you in your wave.  Last year our information from the two different platforms and two different timers didn’t gel and led to many wave place errors.  We are hope that this new method will fix past errors plus provide you your wave placement sooner.  

What if I qualify for wave 3, but its full so I’m placed in wave 5. Is there any hope of moving up?  

Yes. As people vacate their spaces during the transfer out period, those that are already register will be moved as space allows before the people that are transferring in are placed. This is also done on a first registered first placed basis so sign up early.   

I was in wave 8 last year; this year it looks like I will be in wave 10. Why?  

If it appears you are dropping in waves from 2021, we have a reasonable explanation. First, we raced 1500 few riders in 2021 which allowed some people to ride in an early wave placement and second, when we had the wave issues in 2021 we didn’t move anyone backwards. You kept the wave you were in even though through the recalculations we did it may have scooted you back a few waves.   

Why aren’t you using overall place instead of time?  

Unfortunately, there is no perfect world and place can be just as flawed as time. For example, in 2021, with 1500 fewer riders, which means places could vary greatly over a full race year (like 2022). 

What do I need to have ready for registration?  

Just be sure to look up your times here a head of time.   You’ll need those and your average.  Sign in to your bikesignup account early. If you have issues getting signed in follow the instructions to reset your password.  

Have additional questions?  

Please email icemaninfo@iceman.com.  

33 in 22

Join us for the 33rd edition of the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge presented by TREK in 2022 on Saturday, November 5. Registration for riders that were registered in 2021 will open Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 9:00am MIDNIGHT (watch for a link in your inbox closer to March 1) and open to everyone starting Friday, March 4, 2022 at 9:00am.  

New Wave Placement System!  

You spoke and we listened. After spending the last few months researching other large races (such as the American Birkenbeiner) and how they place waves; we have a new system for the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  You can choose any wave that you qualify for and waves will be filled on a first registered first placed basis. Register early. Keep reading to learn how to qualify, what times you need to ride in which waves and quick FAQ to help with any questions out of the gate.  

How to qualify: 

Pull your results from the last 5 races (2021,2019-2016). Choose the best three and average them together. This average is your qualifying time.  Be sure to hold on to all of this data as you will be asked for it during the registration process. And to save time during the registration process, please determine your best times and average before you log in to register. You can find your results here.  

What times standards for each wave:  

Below are the qualifying time standards for each wave. Please note that whichever wave you qualify for, you can also request any wave after that. For example, if you qualify for wave 10, you also qualify for waves 11-48.   

Wave Place Wave Time Requirements   
Wave 1 Faster than 1:51:38   
Wave 2 Faster than 1:55:31   
Wave 3 Faster than 1:58:44   
Wave 4 Faster than 2:01:50   
Wave 5 Faster than 2:04:25   
Wave 6 Faster than 2:06:49   
Wave 7 Faster than 2:09:01   
Wave 8 Faster than 2:11:13   
Wave 9 Faster than 2:13:14   
Wave 10 Faster than 2:15:15   
Wave 11 Faster than 2:17:10   
Wave 12 Faster than 2:19:03   
Wave 13 Faster than 2:20:59   
Wave 14 Faster than 2:22:46   
Wave 15 Faster than 2:24:57   
Wave 16 Faster than 2:26:56   
Wave 17 Faster than 2:29:03   
Wave 18 Faster than 2:31:13   
Wave 19 Faster than 2:33:16   
Wave 20 Faster than 2:35:19   
Wave 21 Faster than 2:37:32   
Wave 22 Faster than 2:39:45   
Wave 23 Faster than 2:41:57   
Wave 24 Faster than 2:44:09   
Wave 25 Faster than 2:47:36   
Wave 26 Faster than 2:51:03   
Wave 27 Faster than 2:53:51   
Wave 28 Faster than 2:56:42   
Wave 29 Faster than 2:59:47 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 30 Faster than 3:03:12 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 31 Faster than 3:06:52 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 32 Faster than 3:10:46 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 33 Faster than 3:15:24 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 34 Faster than 3:20:03 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 35 Faster than 3:25:34 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 36 Faster than 3:33:43 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 37 Faster than 3:44:34 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 38 3:44:35 Or Slower Or First Time Rider 
Wave 39 First Time Rider     
Wave 40 First Time Rider     
Wave 41 First Time Rider     
Wave 42 First Time Rider     
Wave 43 First Time Rider     
Wave 44 First Time Rider     
Wave 45 First Time Rider     
Wave 46 First Time Rider     
Wave 47 First Time Rider     
Wave 48 First Time Rider     

FAQ – Wave Placement  

What happens if I qualify for a wave and its full?  

First, we are going to do our best to update waves as quickly as possible so we can communicate which waves are still open.  However, it is manual process so it may take us a few days to verify times and place you in your correct wave. If the wave you qualified for and wanted is full, you will be automatically placed in the next available wave.  

What if I only have one or two races completed out of the last five years?  

Please average the times you do have from 2017-2019 & 2021 and use this number as your qualifying time.  

I’d like to ride with my significant other, best friend, aunt, 3rd cousin twice removed, etc. Can we do that?  

Yes, you can all apply for the same wave as long as you all qualify for that wave. In other words, base your wave request off of the person with the slowest times in your group.  

I am a first-time rider. Any advice?  

Spots are available in wave 29 and back for first time riders.  Please choose the wave you’d like to be in. If you feel that you should be placed in a faster wave. You will have an opportunity to reach out in the late summer/early fall to request a placement change. This will occur after the transfer out/transfer in period has concluded.  

My son/daughter is riding in Iceman Junior, can I ride with them?  

While Bell’s Iceman Cometh, Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge Pro Race, and Iceman Junior may all follow the same course; they are separate races. Your child should be comfortable with the 30 mile course before taking to the race. If you or your child is not comfortable with the race course, we can easily transfer them to the Meijer Slush Cup.   

We are here to answer your questions. If there is something you think would be valuable for us to share please comment on the blog or email icemaninfo@iceman.com and we will get your questions answered.  You’ll also be able to find this information at www.iceman.com/waves .