Category: Important News

Bell’s Iceman Cometh is here – Keep checking for Updates

Bells Iceman Cometh is here - Keep checking for updates

Caption – Left, Iceman riders from Tennessee at the SRAM Ice Cyle Expo. Right, expo is getting busy. Race day tomorrow!

Packet pick-up and the SRAM IceCyle Expo is upstairs at Grand Traverse Resort in the Michigan Ballroom. Head in the front doors of the resort and veer left and you’ll find it. Remember to check out the Central Market Place at Timber Ridge Resort for more vendors, and more swag. The Ice Cyle Expo at the resort runs from 10-9 on Friday and the Central Marketplace at Timber Ridge runs from 12-6 on Friday and 9-5 on Saturday.

Calling all Volunteers! We are looking for drivers to transport competitors’ bikes in Penske trucks.  No special certification needed, just a great attitude and a licensed driver over 18!  Shifts are 6am-noon and noon-6pm; we currently need 5 morning drivers and 13 afternoon drivers.  There is also an option to bring a buddy and do an all day shift!  Snacks and refreshments will be provided, Contact me today with your shift preference!

*Routes will be assigned on Saturday, please confirm your shift preference to Stacy Farrell at janwm@ja.org or 231-620-0953.  Specifics will be provided upon confirmation. The starting location is the Penske office located at  2615 N US Highway 31 S, Traverse City, MI 49684

The race hotline phone number that was printed on the front of the number plates is incorrect. If you have a non-life threatening emergency, or are abandoning the race use 231-944-5437 instead of what’s printed on the front of the plate. If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911 first.

Parking at Timber Ridge is not included with any race entry, Iceman, Sno-Cone or Slush Cup, there are frequent shuttles from Rasho Farm to Timber Ridge or you can purchase a parking pass at Timber Ridge at any time. Parking passes for Timber Ridge will be available at the SRAM IceCycle Expo until about 6pm Friday night.

Waited too Long to Register?? Try this raffle for a FREE Iceman entry!

Waited too Long to Register?? Try this raffle for a FREE Iceman entry!

Well, for those of you who waited TOO long and now find the race full we have some good news!

Once again just like last year we at CyclingLawyer.com are giving away entries to the 2017 ICEMAN Mountain Bike Race set for Saturday, November 4th. Easy to register. Visit our Facebook page and click to follow/ like our page then visit our website CyclingLawyer.com and at the back page enter your name and email for a chance at an entry slot. OK, so maybe you are an early bird and already signed up for this year. Well, if you should win ICEMAN says you can use your slot for 2018!!! Don’t wait any longer. The race is only 4 weeks away and the drawing will be third week of October. Clean your bike, change the tires, lube the chain and sign up NOW.

Good luck. Be well. Like (3) Dislike (1)

Bell’s Registration Party is Today. Watch the Promo Video

Bell's Registration Party is today. Watch the promo video

The 2016 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge was one for the record books. Warm sunshine greeted racers at TImber Ridge Resort as they finished their fast 27 mile trek from Kalkaska. What will 2017 bring? That’s part of the fun of the event and to help you get registered we’ve compiled a quick and easy breakdown of the paths you can choose depending on your past Iceman history.

Never been in the race?

Option one, come to Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11am and register in person. Everyone that shows up between 11-4 gets in. Done. Option two, hope there’s room after the 2016 riders register online when the non-2016 riders get their online crack at it on Friday, March 17th at 12 noon. Tips to speed along your entry. Register for an Ice Society account at Iceman.com and get a USA Cycling number (not a license) ahead of time.

Raced in 2016?

If you raced in the 2016 Iceman and want to ride this year you are guaranteed a spot in the race as long as you complete that entry between Friday, March 10 at 9am and Friday, March 17 at 9am. After that it’s first come first serve until the race fills up at 4,500 riders for Iceman and 400 riders for Slush Cup. You can also come to Bell’s, it’s a fun party and a great way to kick off the weekend.

Save the dates, yes DATES

Save the dates, yes DATES.

While winter has finally returned to much of northern Michigan, allowing for the resumption of winter fat biking, we’ve been busy at Iceman HQ getting ready for the March 3 kick off for this years race registration. We’ll be at Bell’s in Kalamazoo that day, the party starts at 11am with in-person registration. Everyone that shows up to Bell’s gets in the race. Registration information has been updated at this link.

And new to the cycling calendar is the Michigan Mountain Bike Festival scheduled for August 25-27 at Boyne Mountain. Details are firming up but here’s what they have planned so far. This is a new event put on by the MMBA that they hope to move around to different areas from year to year. Registration should be up fairly soon.

Women’s Skills Clinic
Advanced Jumps & Burms Clinic
Hands-on Trailbuilding Class
Demo Fair & Food Trucks
Group rides on the new Avalanche trail
Kid’s Skills Clinic
Kid’s Movie
Storytelling & Bonfire Under the Stars
Shuttles to trails
On-site childcare
Chairlift Happy Hour on the Mountain
Live Band
Raffle
and last but not least…

Beer Tent

Oh, one more thing, we strongly encourage all the members of the Iceman Community to support the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. Representing 11 chapters across Michigan the MMBA works to advocate for and protect trail access, collaborate with land managers, communities and other partners to build and maintain sustainable trails. With the huge growth of mountain biking trails in Michigan this year, your contributions are more important than ever!

Fat Bike Nationals & State Championships coming to Grand Rapids

Fat Bike Nationals & State Championships coming to Grand Rapids

With racers flying in from as far away as Alaska, the USAC Fatbike Nationals will be hosted in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 26-29, 2017!  According one of the organizers it’s not only for Pros but   “Anyone can race!”  There are fields for Pro/Open, Amateur and Juniors with age awards for Masters, Single Speed and Juniors. Register here.  

Saturday is the USAC race and Sunday is the Michigan Fatbike State Championship! So 2 races in one weekend! 

If you don’t want to race, go to Grand Rapids to spectate and enjoy the festivities listed below:

Thursday EXPO. Number Plate Pick Up, Onsite Registration, Course Open 9am-5pm 

6pm Thursday Throwdown TT and Racer Reception- Indian Trails

Friday EXPO. Number Plate Pick Up, Onsite Registration, Course Open 9am-5pm

7pm Racer Reception – City Built Brewery (shuttles availble)

For more information contact: 
Nate Phelps    spinful@gmail.com    Central District Cyclery     616.446.1420

Safe Passing Law – PLEASE HELP

Safe Passing Law - PLEASE HELP

Biking Friends-We are running out of time for the Michigan Legislature to do something to make biking safer in Michigan. YOU CAN HELP WITH ONE SIMPLE CALL. HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO DO:As many of you know, the Senate passed a safe passing bill and a bill requiring bicycle laws to be part of all drivers education classes. The bills now need to pass the house by the end of the year, or our efforts for this two year legislative session will have to start over again next year. There is not time for the traditional committee hearing before a full House vote (because there are no committee hearings before the end of the year). The only way the bills will become law is if the House Speaker, Kevin Cotter, “discharges” the bills to the full House for a vote, which he has the ability to do. WE NEED TO FLOOD COTTER’S OFFICE WITH CALLS ASKING HIM TO DO THIS!! (Please understand this is not being rude. It is simply letting him know you care about something he controls, as a representative of your interests. It can, and should, be done in a polite and professional way.) Cotter’s phone number is 517-373-1789. Just tell Cotter (or his staff) that you are calling to encourage the Speaker to discharge the bicycle safety bills to the floor for a vote. Let him know you are a cyclist and care about bicycle safety on Michigan roads. (If you know someone injured or killed by a car while riding, let them know that too). It will take less than a minute.

2017 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration

2017 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration  

The  2017 Bell’s Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge will be on Saturday, November 4th.

Registation for the 2017 Bell’s Beer IcemanCometh Challenge will open on Friday March 3rd at 11:00AM. Once again registration will be limited to first 4,500 Iceman riders and 400 Meijer Slush Cup riders.

More information coming soon!

Welcome the 2016 Pro Women’s Racers

The Pro Women’s field is shaping up nicely with some familiar names and some new ones.  It’s going to be a great race to watch!

Chloe Woodruff: 

Chloe is returning in 2016 as reigning Women’s Champ for 2015! We are so glad she is back defending her title and we love seeing kill our course.   Sheis no stranger to Iceman as took 2nd in 2013, and has been racing mountain bikes since 2002.  She races for Stans NoTubes and rides a 9niner. And if you’re wondering about the After Party at The View in 2015… yup, she arrived late but won that too.  Find her at http://www.chloewoodruff.com/ or on twitter @chloewoodruff 

Amy Beisel:

Amy is making the trip from Gunnison, Colorado.  After finishing 6th in 2015, she’s back and ready for another shot at the top step of the podium.   She races Team RideBiker p/b Sho-air |Isoride |LIV. She credits her brother, also a pro cyclist, with encouraging her to buy her first mountain bike.  Amy is also the reigning Fat Bike World Champion.  You can find her on Ice Society and Facebook. 

Erin Huck:

Erin is coming from Boulder, Co. Erin finished 4th last year and knows what she needs to do to get the Ice Trophy!  She rides for SCOTT-3Rox. She took 1st at the 1st US ProXCT #1, Bonelli. Contact  here on Ice Society, http://erinhuck.com  or twitter @EEHuck. 

Catharine Pendrel

No stranger to being a winner, Catharine returns to Bell’s Iceman this year.  She won the 2013 Pro Women’s race but even more impressive is her winning a Bronze Medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Not only that, she also won her 3rd Overall World Cup title this year.  She races for the Luna Pro Team. It’s going to be a pleasure to see her in our Northern Michigan Woods again. 

Haley Batten

Riding with Luna Pro Team with Catharine is Bell’s Iceman newcomer Haley Batten.  At only 18 years old and an already impressive resume, we look forward to watching Haley for many, many years to come.  Welcome to Bell’s Iceman Haley!

Riding with Luna Pro Team with Catharine is Bell’s Iceman newcomer Haley Batten.  At only 18 years old and an already impressive resume, we look forward to watching Haley for many, many years to come.  Welcome to Bell’s Iceman Haley!

Also in the mix are Local Michigan Favorites:

Mackenzie Woodring, a member of the USA Paralympic squad with her tandem partner. They’ve won 4 medals including gold.  We haven’t seen her at Iceman in a while but in 2013 she placed and impressive 3rd overall.  Welcome back Mackenzie!

Susan Vigland, is the quintessential local sweetheart.  She’s raced Pro Women before but she’s back and faster than ever.  Don’t be surprised if 99% of the crowd is cheering for her!

Kaitlyn Patterson showed up at her first Bell’s Iceman raced last year and made everyone take notice by placed 5th!  She moved to Ann Arbor but has been on the top step more times than we can count this year.  We can’t wait to see what she has in the tank for this year’s Bell’s Iceman!