Month: May 2024

The Case for the Group Ride

The group ride, it comes in many different shapes and sizes. I like to think of it like a spectrum. On one side, there is the casual group ride, it’s laid back, no drop, there is great conversation while on the bike and beer afterwards. On the other end are the super spicy rides. These are typically higher milage and someone (or everyone) is pushing the pace. On these ones, I have to be sure to download the route because I may very well get dropped, but at least there is usually still beer afterwards. Then there is every variation in between. Mountain bike, gravel, road groups, formal facebook events and impromptu group texts asking who can meet up. Personally, I think they all have their place and the wisdom, skills and friends gained along the way are invaluable.

The buy in cost for cycling is astronomical, not just the monetary costs but the knowledge needed to enjoy the sport and compete. In the last two years I have devoured so much cycling content, be it podcasts on racing, training and nutrition or youtube videos on mountain bike skills but nothing has been as helpful as the knowledge gained on group rides or when riding with friends. For instance, when I am following someone on single track who is faster or more skilled than me, I can watch their technique and line choice. I try to mimic their body position and make it work for me. I let them push me and I ride so much faster with others than by myself.

The larger rides are great places to get comfortable riding in a group. Mass start events can be intimidating if you are not comfortable riding that close to other people. A poor start due to feeling cramped will result in having to burn excess energy in the beginning and potentially rock your confidence and burn you out. Drafting and working in a paceline is key to successful gravel and road events and can be relevant in mountain bike races that involve fast two track or gravel roads in between single track sections. Having a firm foundation riding in groups or following others through single track will make it safer for everyone, yourself included.

The other thing about group rides? They are just plain fun. I love a more relaxed and chill ride where I can talk to other riders and build a sense of community. Over the last two years I have met so many awesome people and great riding buddies at group rides. If you meet a potential new riding partner don’t be afraid to ask for their number or message them on facebook, IG or Strava so that you can set up rides in the future. Sometimes it can be difficult to coordinate riding with others due to busy schedules so having multiple people you can reach out to is key. If you are uncomfortable riding the trails by yourself, a legion of potential riding partners will keep you from missing time on the trails. Sometimes you inadvertently end up setting up a group ride just by texting so many people and those are always bound to be a good time.

As a woman, I have found that group rides geared towards women tend to be less intimidating. As more women enter the sport, female specific group rides are becoming more and more available. Ask your local bike shop to point you in the right direction or search on Facebook. If there isn’t a female specific group ride near you, start one! You are bound to find some other like-minded bad asses in your area to ride with.

So get out there with the group! Riding with a new group can be a bit nerve wracking for anyone but just remember cyclists are the coolest and nicest people around, but then again, I may be biased 😉

Have fun out there!

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Meg Hagerman @hagermanm

The Love Hate relationship with Rest Days

We’ve all seen or heard the phrase, “you’ll never regret a workout.” When I hear that from someone, I wonder if they have ever had an overuse injury. I’ve had far too many injuries to find truth in that phrase. From multiple stress fractures, to low back pain, to the multiple orthopedic surgeries I’ve gone through for both my hips, knees, and one of my ankles, I have surely suffered the consequences of overworking my body. I can also assume that if you decided to read this blog after seeing the title, you probably know that feeling too. 

I used to be a “no days off” type of person. I would have anxiety over scheduled rest days or sometimes even easy ride days. I blew through recovery weeks in fear of losing fitness and thought I was invincible – until I wasn’t. Hard workout days would become forced rest weeks or months on end due to major injuries. We live in a society that makes us feel bad for not doing enough in all aspects and it can sometimes be hard to look past that. If you truly put in some HARD work, we can make our largest gains in fitness during recovery days or weeks to allow our bodies to heal and recover from the repetitive microtrauma we have subjected ourselves to during grueling rides and workouts. If you’re smart, you’ll learn to love those recovery and rest days. And if you already love recovery days, KUDOS (I’ll give you kudos on STRAVA for that embarrassingly slow paced recovery ride every time) to you!

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Allyson Klug @allysonklug

Spring has Sprung – Time to Start Building That Base!

Ah, can you feel it in the air? The days are getting longer, the temps are rising, and the trails are finally emerging from their wintery tomb with hero dirt! You know what that means? It’s officially GO TIME to kick off your training for the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race!

Now I know what you’re thinking, the Catalina Wine Mixer isn’t until November. Why are we starting this so soon? I don’t want to skip summer either!

Well, let me let you in on a little secret that the pros seem to understand quite well. The key to any successful training cycle is establishing an aerobic base nice and early. This foundation is what’s going to allow you to ramp up the intensities later on and ultimately go full on race pace when Iceman race day comes around this fall.

It’s all about time in the saddle, because your number one priority this spring is increasing that weekly mileage and time spent on the bike in a gradual, sustainable way. I don’t want to see any heroes out there ramping things up into the stratosphere right away as that is a recipe for injury. We’re playing the long game on this one.

First thing’s first, establish what your current weekly riding volume is. Whether that’s a couple of hours or more, or somewhere in between, that’s your new benchmark. From there, just add about 10-15% more time to that volume the following week. Is mileage easier for you to track? If you’re currently riding 80 miles per week, bump that up to around 90-92 miles for week 2. Then repeat that gradual progression week after week after week.

Oh, and don’t forget to include one glorious long ride on the weekends that clocks in around 20-30% greater than your normal weekday outings. You should keep extending that long ride as the weeks go by to truly build your aerobic engine.

For now, all those added miles should still be at a relatively chill, conversational pace. Wouldn’t want you heading into the red too soon! We’ll have plenty of time for intervals and gut-punching intensities once summer rolls around.

Strength = Endurance, but don’t think for one second that building an elite endurance base is just about saddle time. You would be wise to hit up the weights 2-3 days per week to construct some full-body strength and muscular endurance too.

Now I’m not talking about bodybuilding-style muscle isolation work. We want to prioritize compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, push-ups, and pull-ups that hammer multiple muscle groups at once. Higher rep ranges of 10-15 reps per set will blend perfectly with all that aerobic base building. You don’t need a fancy gym set at home, there are lots of options for body weight only exercises online.

And pay particular attention to your core. A strong midsection is crucial for maintaining a powerful position and efficient power transfer on the bike over the course of a 30+ mile race like Iceman. So be sure to incorporate plenty of planks, yes they are hard sometimes!

Finally, don’t neglect some focused strength work for those pushing muscles in your shoulders, triceps, and chest. Sustained pushing efforts are kind of a big deal for us mountain bikers.

Handling the trails, let’s not forget about your technical trail skills. Your legs could be powerful enough to climb trees, but if you can’t smoothly negotiate roots, rocks, and all manner of natural debris, you’ll be wasting a ton of energy out there. The more comfortable and flowy you can get on that new singletrack, the more you’ll be able to squeeze every bit of your hard-earned fitness when fatigue sets in.

So in addition to piling on those base miles, be intentional about seeking out trails that mimic the conditions you will experience at Iceman. Work on lifting those front and rear wheels over obstacles, railing bermed turns, and maintaining momentum through rooty gnarled sections.

It might leave you feeling gassed and sloppy at first, but over time you’ll develop that combo of finesse, power, and flow that’ll serve you incredibly well on race day. It’s not just about strength – it’s about skill too!

The journey begins today, so get after it!

About the author: Tobi is a passionate mountain biker and ultra endurance gravel cyclist who thrives on pushing his limits in the great outdoors. He has a deep appreciation for nature, savoring the scenic views and challenges of unpaved singletrack trails and long gravel routes. Tobi’s passion for adventure drives him to constantly seek out new ultra endurance gravel races and mountain bike events that take him on new dirt roads. He has participated in the Iceman Cometh Challenge for over a decade. When not hitting the trails or grinding away the miles on gravel, Tobi enjoys camping trips with his family. He is also actively involved with the West Michigan Coyotes youth mountain bike team, where he coaches and rides alongside his daughter, fostering her love for the sport. The solitude of the trails and the invigoration of conquering an ultra endurance race is what fuels his obsession with mountain biking and gravel cycling.

Chill Out and Ride On: Exploring the Importance of Laid-Back Group Rides

We all take part in group rides throughout the year. Some are fast training sessions, while others are purely social endeavors. Either way, the essence remains the same: it’s about having fun, sharing our vibes, and enjoying the rolling motion beneath our wheels.

For me, some of the best rides I’ve ever experienced have been chill, no-pressure outings with friends. Laid-back group rides offer a welcome break from the pressures of performance, allowing us to unwind and revel in the simple pleasures of riding. It’s not about being the fastest or the fittest; it’s about camaraderie and connection with fellow riders.

One ride that stands out in my memory is the Massive Fallout ride in 2023. Roughly 45 miles are split between 5 MTB trails connected by rail-trail routes. What started as a mass group ride to close out the season somehow turned into a race at the beginning. Some of us found ourselves ahead of the pack, while others got lost in the shuffle. However, when we stopped and regrouped, the laughter and realization of getting caught up in the fun pushed us to take it easy and enjoy the ride.

While laid-back rides may not offer the same physical challenge as intense workouts, they provide invaluable opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. The conversations and laughter shared on these rides foster bonds that extend beyond the bike, enriching our lives in unexpected ways. Riding has a unique way of making all our problems fade away, especially when surrounded by the right group of people. Having friends you can open up to and talk about life’s problems with while putting in miles is a win-win for all.

Even though some rides may start out with a training mindset, they often evolve into laid-back outings, like the De Ronde van Grampian practice ride with friends. Despite my initial intentions to train, the day turned into a chill ride because it just wasn’t feeling right. Riding a fat bike, I’m often able to keep up with the group or even lead the pack. However, on this particular day, I found myself struggling to maintain my usual pace, resulting in being slower than usual. It was one of those off days we all experience from time to time. But hey, it’s all part of the ride. As we cruised along, my friends jokingly remarked, “Looks like we’re faster than G today!” It was all in good fun, a lighthearted reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to enjoy the ride, no matter the pace.

So, the next time you’re itching to get outside and ride, consider rounding up some friends and planning a laid-back group ride. Whether it’s on gravel roads, winding single tracks, or smooth pavement, prioritize the joy of riding together over speed or performance. Remember, the essence of cycling lies not just in the physical exertion but also in the connections made and the memories shared along the way. So chill out, ride on, and let the simple pleasures of biking remind you of the beauty of the outdoors and the camaraderie found on two wheels.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Gerald Gaecke @g_dub83_

EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUENESS: THE POWER OF BEING YOURSELF IN CYCLING AND LIFE

Since I started my biking journey, from a young age, I have appreciated the lessons I have learned, and the growth I have endured from them. One of the main lessons I have learned, to grow the most from, is embracing my own uniqueness on the course and in my life. In mountain biking, it is very easy to get pulled into cool trends, and match with everyone else. Although new kits and new bikes can be exciting to get, it is more important to focus on being yourself in this sport. 

For years, I dealt with feeling “slower” than everyone else at practice, because I grew up being in the hospital and working through recovery from many surgeries. I would see all of the other kids at practice riding around and having so much fun jumping on their bikes, but I felt like being apart from that fun made me “slower”. But as I worked harder, I started to gain more confidence in my skills and capabilities. I started to realize that it did not matter how fast I was at the time, but it was the time and effort that was put into my training. After I stopped worrying about others I started to have more fun riding around on the Michigan trails. 

Switching from riding casually to racing was another way for me to embrace my uniqueness. Many were concerned for how young I was when going to these intense races, but I felt the need to start putting my skills to use. Personally I really was looking forward to being so young and racing. ESPECIALLY AS A GIRL!! There were definitely many challenges to racing, like the other riders, taking risks, and dealing with the new courses. Racing as a girl was an opportunity to be unique.

Throughout my 11 years of biking, I have learned that being in a community of racers is the easiest way to embrace yourself. Joining a biking club or a mountain bike race team can help you to find your place in the community. Ever since I was invited to join the McLains Stonehound race team I have felt so excepted for being myself. Riding with a big group of people can seem like you are all one person, which you are, but you also are your own self. Being part of McLains helped me to understand that being a female in mountain biking is one of the best sports a girl could do, and it also showed me that being myself in front of others is okay! 

So to all of the many cyclists out there, I encourage you to embrace your own skills to the fullest abilities, and to become the strongest version of yourself by standing up for what is true to you. Never give up on your plans and goals in life and on the course, and train hard to accomplish the best race at Iceman 2024. 

Thank you to our 2024 Junior Iceman Ambassador Piper Shumar @pipershumar