As we all know, Iceman is the grand finale to what’s always a long but exciting mountain bike season. While we wait for the course details and wave assignments to be released, there’s another way to prepare for that chilly morning in early November: race more.
My old football coach used to yell at me, “The best way to be prepared is by doing it.” And he was right. That’s why I want to share three races that Michigan riders can use as perfect tune-ups for Iceman. Each one will help you test gear, fitness, pacing, and raceday strategy so when you roll up to the line in Kalkaska, you’ll feel sharp and ready.
1. Lord of the Spring—Wake-Up Call for Singletrack
With gravel racing exploding in popularity, it’s easy to spend too much time on the road or open courses. I’m guilty of it myself, living in Grand Rapids and being just 30 minutes from Barry-Roubaix, I’ve spent plenty of training hours on gravel while neglecting singletrack. Fool me once, shame on me.
Lord of the Spring is the perfect reminder that singletrack is a skill, one that takes constant practice. This race blends gravel and trails in a way that mirrors the first sector of Iceman a fast start into singletrack, some quick gravel sections where you fight for position, and sandy spots that demand focus.
The key lessons here are pacing, holding your line, and knowing when to burn a match to grab position. The sandy stretches before Dockery Road will eat your front wheel if you’re not paying attention, and that’s a lesson better learned in the spring than on Iceman Morning.
If you haven’t ridden Yankee Springs before, it’s also a great training ground. Fast, flowy singletrack, punchy climbs, and rough terrain that’ll prepare you for the woods up north. Remember: you can’t win Iceman in the first section, but you can lose it there.
2. Traverse City Trails Festival—The Local Terrain Test
If you want to PR at Iceman, there’s no better prep than racing the trails themselves. The TC Trails Fest puts you right into the heart of Northern Michigan singletrack, flowy, fast, and with just enough sand and climbing to keep you on your toes.
This race teaches you the rhythm of the terrain. The flow sections let you carry speed, the climbs spike your heart rate, and the descents test how well you can handle your bike when fatigue creeps in. It’s a perfect mid-season checkpoint.
Does the course overlap with Iceman? Maybe a little, maybe not, but either way, you’re getting the same style of trail you’ll see in November. On some of the two-tracks, you’ll have opportunities to push the pace, pass, or recover if you’re riding with a group. Just keep your eyes sharp; a sandy pit or loose gravel at the bottom of a hill can take you down fast if you pick a bad line.
Another underrated perk? Getting to know the Traverse City area. Whether it’s your first Iceman or your 20th, TC is always changing. Use Trails Fest as a scouting trip: figure out logistics, find a new restaurant or brewery off the beaten path, and learn the best ways to get around. Less stress in November means more energy for racing.
By the time you’ve pre-ridden, raced, and maybe even done an out-and-back in the area, you’ll know exactly how to plan fueling, carbs, and pacing. Once Iceman arrives, Williamsburg Road will feel like your backyard.
3. Peak 2 Peak—The Final Dress Rehearsal
Next to Iceman, this is my favorite Michigan race. Peak 2 Peak, held at Crystal Mountain Resort just 45 minutes from Traverse City, is the unofficial Iceman tune-up. The timing, the atmosphere, the competition, it’s the perfect test before November.
The course is fast, flowing, and not overly technical, but it keeps you honest. The singletrack pushes you, the doubletrack lets you move up, and the atmosphere makes it feel like a big deal. Treat this one like a full-dress rehearsal for Iceman: wear what you plan to wear, fuel how you plan to fuel, and race it like it’s Kalkaska to Timber Ridge.
And yes, the ski hill climb sucks. No way around it. But it’s also a good test of grit. Break it up into chunks, find a rhythm, and remind yourself that you can do hard things. The reward? A screaming-fast descent—just don’t forget to unlock your suspension (ask me how I know).
The best part of Peak 2 Peak is the vibe. Crystal Mountain in late October is pure Michigan fall colors glowing, riders swapping stories, beers flowing at the finish. It’s the closest you’ll get to Iceman energy until the big day itself.
Confidence Built on the Journey
The road to Kalkaska is a long grind. We spend a whole year preparing for a race that’s over in just a couple of hours. That’s why these tune-ups matter.
- Lord of the Spring shakes off the rust and teaches you the art of positioning.
- Trails Fest shows you how Northern Michigan trails flow and tests your pacing.
- Peak 2 Peak is the dress rehearsal, your last chance to iron out details.
None of these races replace Iceman, but together, they make sure you arrive on that start line confident, tested, and ready.
So circle the dates, enjoy the fall from football to family traditions to rides in the woods—and savor the build-up. By November, you’ll be ready to race hard and fast and appreciate the moment when you cross that finish line at Timber Ridge.
See you in the woods.
Thank you to Chris Mutnansky @the_racing_ref for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!