Tag: Iceman Cometh Challenge

Probably the best piece of training advice I can give is the simplest one: at the end of the day, we’re here to have fun riding our bikes! Hopefully things go perfectly and you achieve all your goals. That’s fun for sure! But chances are not everything will go perfectly. Maybe nothing will go as planned. In that unfortunate event, just promise yourself to learn from the lessons your experience brings so you can benefit from them the following year. Then, drop your shoulders, smile, and keep going! Enjoy the scenery and revel in the exuberance of the crowds and your fellow riders. Most of all, no matter what, be nice to race organizers and officials – and no matter what, thank every volunteer you see! Without them there would be no race!

Meet 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.

The Iceman team wants to thank Kurt Schaldenbrand for his training tips series, we hope that you learned something from it! Although this is the last installment of his training series, rest assured this won’t be the last we hear from Kurt! And don’t worry we have a lot of exciting things coming your way! For the rest of April, you can expect to meet our influencers, catch up on another episode of Rider Radio The Iceman Cometh Challenge Podcast, and get a sneak peek at the 2023 Iceman Gear! So keep your eyes on our social feeds and we will see you in the woods…

If improving your time is one of your goals, there’s only so much that better technical skills can do for you. For such a long event, and especially given the many long and flat (less technical) sections involved, improving your ability to just plain go faster will be key. Many riders try to improve their average speed by always “just riding hard”. While this can certainly work, you’ll usually find that interval training is a more effective method. Break your efforts into 5, 10 or 15 minute chunks and go harder than you normally would. Recover between those efforts, and then go hard again. When that gets easy (or, easier!) then either add more time, reduce your rest, or add intensity!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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! 

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.

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!

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.

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!” 

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.