Iceman Cometh Challenge News

Dress for success

Clothing choices, especially clothing choices for events in possibly less than ideal conditions can make the difference between a good outcome, and a bad one. With a name like, Iceman, obviously the biggest challenge at this event is often keeping warm. If your feet and hands get cold in chillier conditions the common go-to is “thick socks, shoe covers or winter boots and cozy gloves.” While these can help, often the best bet for keeping your extremities warm is keeping your core even warmer. A good base layer – especially a wool one – is your best friend. Another key for your feet: yes, thick socks (preferably wool again!) but not TOO thick. Let your toes have some room, otherwise you’re restricting blood flow, and blood flow is what’s keeping your feet warm!

Iceman Cometh, 25th anniversary Photos by John L. Russell, Great Lakes Images

About the author: Kurt Schaldenbrand has been racing bicycles since 1983. He’s been a licensed coach working with competitive and developmental cyclists since 1990 and has been head coach for the University of Michigan Cycling team since 2012.

You are what you eat

I’ve already said it, this is a long race! You’re going to need to refuel or risk bonking. Bonking hard! If you only do shorter races, or are used to pulling to the side of the trail to drink or eat when out riding, developing the ability to fuel on the go will be crucial. That goes double for figuring out what works on your stomach over the long haul. Keep in mind that as you consider your options (bars, gels, sports drinks) you’ll want to settle on something that does the job, but also something you can open and consume while riding – with a few hundred people all around you!

Technical riding considerations

While the overall course for the race isn’t all that technical, there ARE some technical parts. Add the possibility of snow or ice and the certainty of crowded trails and you can’t ignore your technical skills as an important component of your success on race day. So do make sure to practice those skills! Grab some friends and set up some drills. Practice following close behind someone on a narrow single-track section. Go find some sand and practice riding with less-than-perfect traction. Do some other races or attend some clinics. Grow your abilities, and not just your legs!

How often do you ride with a few thousand other people?

As I’ve mentioned before, this is a BIG event. Especially in terms of participation. With over 50 waves and hundreds of competitors in each wave, this is probably the most people you’ll likely be around on single track all year. What does that mean? That means you don’t always get to pick the line you want. That means your opportunities to pass slower riders will be limited. That means YOU will be getting passed as well. Often. You can let all of that impact you, get in your head and slow you down. OR you can come to peace with it and use it to your advantage. As much as all trails have a certain “flow” to them, so does riding in a larger group. Get into that flow – and go!

How long is long?

Chances are good this event is longer than you normally race. If you commonly do 2-3 (or 4?) hour training rides, then you’re probably fine. But if that’s more than you’re used to, you might consider adding some longer rides to your calendar – especially later in the summer and into the fall. Keep in mind that the conditions in November might be a bit harsher as well, which will only add to your fatigue. Having a solid aerobic base is one of the best keys to cycling success – both in this event and in general!

Is this your first time? Learn ALL the things!

If this will be your first time doing Iceman, you’re in good company; it was EVERYONE’s first time at some point! It was MY first time just this past November. This is a BIG event (in every way possible) and if that feels a bit intimidating – or even if it doesn’t – it’s highly recommended that you go in knowing as much as you can about it as you can. Your experience will be MUCH better if you do! The good news? There is plenty of fantastic resources available on the site to educate you now, before they say, “Riders ready… Go!”

Set a goal and PLAN to succeed!

As you prepare for warmer weather and the fact that November and the Iceman Commeth Challenge are approaching, we asked Kurt to provide some inspiration for your preparation.

Since you will be hearing Kurt’s words for the next several weeks, here is a little more about him:

Kurt Schaldenbrand has been racing bicycles since 1983. He’s been a licensed coach working with competitive and developmental cyclists since 1990 and has been head coach for the University of Michigan Cycling team since 2012.

Do you have a goal for this year’s event? Do you want to achieve something specific, or do you just want to ride for the fun of it? Both answers are great – but if it’s the former, it’s important to write that goal down and think about how to achieve them. If the goal is big, break it down and work on the smaller ones throughout the year! It may sound corny but it’s true: you can be successful without goals and a plan, but it’s often accidental and rarely repeatable.

Iceman Cometh – 30th annual event Photography by John L. Russell Great Lakes Images

Race Rules & Trail Etiquette

Below are the rules and regulations for this year’s Iceman Cometh Challenge!

Please also look at the USA Cycling rules because we abide by those as well.

Most of all have fun! We will see you in November.

Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge follows the USAC rules, MTB Rules start on page 91: bit.ly/USACRULES22
You must pick up your packet in person. ID REQUIRED (Exception: parents/guardians may pick up for their children under 18)
No headphones Bluetooth speakers, or other audio devices that will impede your ability or other people’s ability to hear on the trail
No E-bikes or motorized bikes
Be Polite. Announce if you are passing and move out of the way if you are being passed
Be Aware. If your bike breaks down or you are injured, please step off the trail if able
Water/Feeding Stations. There are three water/feeding stations throughout the Iceman Course. These are NOT medical stations. If there is an emergency, please call the number on your plate 231-944-5437 and our Search and Rescue team will take it from there
If you need to drop out of the race, please report your drop by texting 231-944-5437 your name and a photo of your plate number. There will be several transports available back to the Bissell Celebration Zone
Watch for Deer. We have posted signs for the deer to tell them to be aware of riders however, in the event the deer can’t read, please watch for them
Most importantly, RIDE FAST & HAVE FUN!

New Prizes for Junior Riders

This year the overall Iceman Junior Men & Junior Women riders will receive gift cards and swag from local bike shops valued at over $1000.

In addition, gift cards will be awarded to 1st through 5th place,
along with medals for each category in the Junior Iceman.

Overall winners and first place winners will also be awarded with an Iceman Cometh Jersey by Borah. Over $6,000 in prizes will be awarded to our Junior Riders in 2022.

Here is the breakdown:
Overall Junior Men/Women Winner: $1000 in gift cards
1 st Place: $200 in gift cards
2 nd Place: $150 in gift cards
3 rd Place: $100 in gift cards
4 th Place: $50 in gift cards
5 th Place: $25 in gift cards

This marks the largest increase in Junior Prizes since the inception of the Iceman Junior.

Meet Lyllie

This is a guest post by the overall junior women’s winner 2021, Lyllie Sonnemann

Hi! My name is Lyllie Sonnemann, and I really like bikes.

My favorite thing about bikes is the places they take you and the people you meet through them. Although I’ve been riding since before I can remember, I didn’t start racing bikes until I discovered cyclocross races when I was 10 (I’m now 14). When the pandemic started, I got my first mountain bike, and now I race both MTB and CX. I was privileged last year to have the opportunity to ride and race bikes all over the country, and it was amazing. I got to see so many different landscapes (like the Colorado Rocky Mountains), eat lots of delicious foods on my rides (the tacos in Tucson, Arizona are the best!), and learned lots of lessons (try not to fall off your bike onto a cactus, ouch!). I raced in 6 different states, competed in 30+ races, and the Iceman was one of my favorites. Although I did my first Snow-Cone at age 7 (and several Slush Cups after that), I didn’t realize it was a real race until my second Slush Cup. After finishing and learning that it wasn’t just an organized ride in the woods, I remember asking, “I was supposed to go fast?!” I didn’t care about whether I was at the front or the back, I was interested in having fun, and I sure did. I’ve started to love the competitive aspect of bike racing, but my top goal in each race is to have fun. I have a blast each November flying down the descents, making my way through the sand, and pushing myself to the top of climbs. The atmosphere and community also make this race one of the best, and I’m already counting down the days until this November!

If you would like to share your Iceman story, please email your story and photos to Fanphotos@iceman.com