For the third year in a row the June 9 Love Ludington weekend will feature an attempt to break a world record (actually TWO this year). All we need is 1,500 folks with a bicycle, helmets are strongly encouraged.
The Shoreline Cycling Club is partnering with the Love Ludington committee and hopes to claim the records for the longest parade of bicycles (1,186) as well as the longest line of bikes in a row not moving (1,448).
All events will be at the Gaylord and Tinkham corner of Oriole Field (700 W. Tinkham Ave.)
* Friday packet pick up is from 5-8pm on June 8 * Saturday registration starts at 7:30am, if you picked up your packet Friday you can arrive at 8:30am Saturday * Parade for record 1 kicks off at 9:30am * Registering before June 6 at 10pm enters you into a drawing for a $250 gift card (of two available) to either Spindrift Cyclesports or Trailhead Bike Shop.
Riders participating in the first record should have a functional bicycle, a helmet is stongly encouraged, and be able to ride between 3-5 miles to participate. Smaller children and all others who don’t think they can make the ride will be able to participate in the second record.
Riders participating in the second record will line up after the last riders leave Oriole Field, probably around 10:15.
Visit www.shorelinecyclingclub.org to be best prepared for the event. Then remember to stop by Oriole Field Friday night or early Saturday morning during the weekend of the event to pick up your number plate and for children to pick up their free ice cream cone certificate from House of Flavors.
Over 70,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, but you can join the fight against skin cancer at the 6th Annual MSU Grand Fondo, Saturday, June 23rd. The MSU Grand Fondo is a fundraising event offering four different cycling routes for riders of all ages and abilities. The MSU Grand Fondo has generated over $900,000 for skin cancer research during the last five years. The MSU College of Human Medicine is the beneficiary of the fundraising and they’ve recently discovered a promising new drug that stops melanoma from spreading by 90%.
Raise funds for a worthy cause, ride with 1,500 cycling friends, and celebrate afterwards at the best street party in Grand Rapids. More information can be found: msugrandfondo.org
“I did this ride (Split the Mitt) last year. It was awesome. This year is going to be awesomer. It’s a great organization, and I’d love to wrangle more people into riding it”, said Tim Pulliam of Keen Technical Solutions in Traverse City.
Less Cancer’s Bike Ride, Split the Mitt, was established for cyclists to raise funds and awareness in support of Less Cancer’s efforts to end preventable cancers. This year’s event has riders covering 238 miles from Flint to Traverse City in two days, June 23rd &24th. Registration is $100 and is limited to 100 riders. Less Cancer’s goal for 2018 is to raise $200,000.
Racing for Home is a brand NEW Northern Michigan cycling event brought to you by Habitat for Humanity – Grand Traverse Region. The race will be jam-packed full of fun and excitement and will be open to bikers of all ages and skill levels.
Join them for our inaugural event located at 45 North Vineyard Trail in Lake Leelanau, Michigan.
If you’ll recall last summer when we asked the Iceman tribe to urge the Grand Traverse County Board to accept the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s bid to purchase 160 acres in the Pere Marquette State Forest. The Iceman riders as well as Mud, Sweat and Beers race through that section of forest. As it turns out they need to raise some money to help pay for some of the expenses incurred untilthey can sell the land back to the state. You can read more about that and make a donation here, Iceman is matching what comes in up to $20,000
We are so very thrilled to welcome artist John Niewiek to the 28th Annual Iceman Cometh Challenge. John will be displaying his 2017 Grand Rapids Art Prize entry at Iceman this year! And as you can see…it’s a perfect fit!
John is also throwing in a little bonus. Bring in any old bike chain and receive a ticket to win 1 of 5 pieces of bike chain art that will be raffled off at 2pm on Saturday November 4th at the race.
Chains can be dropped off and raffle tickets picked up at the Timber Ridge Reservation Desk. There is nothing quite like being rewarded for recycling!
It’s another great year of the men’s best mountain bikers, coming to race for the title of Champion of the 2017 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. Everyone’s a contender and it’s going to be amazing to watch. Don’t miss it. Check out the full sortable list of racers.
Howard Grotts
Howard, 24, the winner of the 2016 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge, is back to keep his title. He was first in the Leadville 100 this year, won his third consecutive cross country mountain bike national championship, and won the Breck Epic. He’s going to be tough to beat. He races for Specialized and for the 2017 Ice Trophy. @HowardGrotts
Brian Matter
Brian, 37, finished 2nd in 2016. After his win in 2014, Brian holds the record for the most wins at 4! Will 2017 make it a 5th? We can’t wait to find out. Brian is sponsored by Trek / Bontrager / Shimano / Pro Gold / JTree / Rock Shox. He also rocks the Bell’s After Party. Don’t miss it. Find him at b-matter.com/ and on Twitter @TheWiscoDisco
Carl Decker
Carl, 42 racing for Giant took us all by surprise and worked hard for 3rd in 2016. He won the 2017 Lost and Found gravel race, and we can’t wait to see if he can win the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. A Native Oregonian, according to Carl the worst place on earth is “On a TT bike”. @deckerator
Todd Wells
Todd Wells, 41, of Durango, Co., races for SRAM/Troy Lee Designs, and has announced his retirement. We’re not sure if this is his last race, but we are sure glad we get to see him crush it on our course. When asked about retirement he said, “…I’m looking forward to being more present and taking the time to enjoy the ride. And eating more cookies.” We’ve got cookies at the finish for you Todd. @yotwells
Ben Sonntag
Ben, 37, from Durango, Co finished 5th in the 2016 Bell’s Iceman. He rides for 9niner bikes/ Team Clif Bar Cycling. Ben got 4th in the Grand Junction Off-Road and 4th at the Iron House Bicycle Classic. We heard he had a bad crash in August, so we’re glad he’s come to race! @ZeGermanCyclist
Payson McElveen
Payson, 24, of Durango, Co. races for Orange Seal Cycling. He’s had some big races this year including Marathon National Champion for 2017 and 3rd at the Leadville 100. He finished 6th last year but we think he’s got more in him than that. @PaysonMcElveen
Stephen Ettinger
Stephen, 28, finished 7th in 2016. He is also a member of Team USA. He comes from Bellingham, WA and finished second at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships this year right behind Howard Grotts. We’ll see if that order changes on Saturday. @settinger_
Russell Finsterwald
Finsty, 26, comes from Boulder, Colorado and races for SRAM | Troy Lee Designs Race Team. Russell has had some close battles this year with fellow pro racers but it’s his history with Iceman that could be the winning combination Saturday. He’s been racing Iceman since the time when he’d try to get a fake i.d. to get into the After Party and now he needs to pass it to Christopher Blevins. @finsty http://finsterwald.bike
Troy Wells
Troy, 33, was our 2015 Pro Men’s winner. Hailing from Durango, Co., and races for Team Clif Bar Cycling. He’s know for eating a ridiculous amount of food, including a burrito the size of a large house cat. Whatever works but we know Troy is fast, and we’ll see if they Ice Trophy will be his on Saturday. @tdub255
Geoff Kabush
Kabush, 40, was the winner in 2013, 2nd at 2014’s “Mudman” and 3rd in 2015. The three time Canadian Olympian currently rides for Scott Cycles and recently won the Trans-Cascadia and the Downieville Classic, so our Northern Michigan trails should be easy for him. Kabush (k-Boom) has been racing in Canada since he was 15 and is a 13 time Canadian National Champion. @GeoffKabush
Travis (TJ) Woodruff
TJ , 34, races for his own coaching company Momentum Endurance, and Pivot Cycles, his best finish is 7th. His aspirations are to “Help athletes reach their best.” We can’t wait to see his best on Saturday! @tjwoodruff
Cole House
Cole, 29, is the 2107 National Fat Bike Champion. He hails from Oneida, WI. According to Peleton Magazine, “House’s mother had given him the Indian name Tekastoslunti, which roughly translates as “floating feather.”” We’ve witnesses that. He took last year off but we’re glad he’s back! @Cole_House
Isaac Neff
Isacc, 31, rides for Neff Cycle Service. His best finish was 6th in the infamous 2014 Mudman, so if the rainy/snowy weather continues, he might be in his element. He’s also the first two-title winner taking the 2017 Singlespeed Cyclocross National Championship. The man’s got grit. @neff_Isaac
Adam Morka
Adam, 31, is both a racer himself and coach to Emily Batty. Emily isn’t racing this year but we’re excited to see Adam jam on our trails. He’s finished just outside the top ten in the past. @adammorka
Scott Quiring
After taking a few years off, Scott Quiring is back! Scott is a 3 x Bell’s Iceman winner from the late 90’s. He has his own bicycle company, did some grueling races this summer (Leadville, Marji Gesick, and more) and is ready for the start line. @QuiringCyclesLlc
Please welcome a Bell’s Iceman newbie:
Christopher Blevins
Christopher, 19, races for Axeon Hagens Berman. He’s our youngest pro but don’t underestimate him. Welcome Christopher! @chrisblevs
Don’t forget our top local racers who know the course and plan on giving the pro’s a run for their money:
Jorden Wakeley
Jorden is racing for M22 and Suttons Bay Bikes. He’s expanded his types of racing this year, he’s suffered and he’s got the whole crowd cheering for him. He’s also the 2015 Arrowhead Ultra winner so you know the worse the weather, the stronger he is. @JordenWakeley
Alex Vanias
Alex, (Team OAM Now), placed 11th last year. He finished 8th at Peak 2 Peak, but we’re pretty sure that was just a warm-up for Saturday.
Jeff Owens
Jeff will be racing for Keen Technical. 2016 was his first time racing Pro for Iceman. He learned a lot from the experience and we’re going to see that put into action Saturday.
Sean Kickbush
Sean, (M22 racing) was a late registrant this year. Maybe he was trying to throw off the competition but we know he’s got an strong engine and is ready for Saturday. @skickbush
Cody Sovis,
Cody (Norte), has the impressive rank of 1st for Pro/Cat1 racers on Ice Society for October. He has dedication, time in the saddle and this race is in his backyard. Trifecta. Kolotc.wordpress.com
