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
Join us for the 33rd edition of the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge presented by TREK in 2022 on Saturday, November 5. Registration for riders that were registered in 2021 will open Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 9:00amMIDNIGHT (watch for a link in your inbox closer to March 1) and open to everyone starting Friday, March 4, 2022 at 9:00am.
New Wave Placement System!
You spoke and we listened. After spending the last few months researching other large races (such as the American Birkenbeiner) and how they place waves; we have a new system for the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. You can choose any wave that you qualify for and waves will be filled on a first registered first placed basis. Register early. Keep reading to learn how to qualify, what times you need to ride in which waves and quick FAQ to help with any questions out of the gate.
How to qualify:
Pull your results from the last 5 races (2021,2019-2016). Choose the best three and average them together. This average is your qualifying time. Be sure to hold on to all of this data as you will be asked for it during the registration process. And to save time during the registration process, please determine your best times and average before you log in to register. You can find your results here.
What times standards for each wave:
Below are the qualifying time standards for each wave. Please note that whichever wave you qualify for, you can also request any wave after that. For example, if you qualify for wave 10, you also qualify for waves 11-48.
Wave Place
Wave Time Requirements
Wave 1
Faster than
1:51:38
Wave 2
Faster than
1:55:31
Wave 3
Faster than
1:58:44
Wave 4
Faster than
2:01:50
Wave 5
Faster than
2:04:25
Wave 6
Faster than
2:06:49
Wave 7
Faster than
2:09:01
Wave 8
Faster than
2:11:13
Wave 9
Faster than
2:13:14
Wave 10
Faster than
2:15:15
Wave 11
Faster than
2:17:10
Wave 12
Faster than
2:19:03
Wave 13
Faster than
2:20:59
Wave 14
Faster than
2:22:46
Wave 15
Faster than
2:24:57
Wave 16
Faster than
2:26:56
Wave 17
Faster than
2:29:03
Wave 18
Faster than
2:31:13
Wave 19
Faster than
2:33:16
Wave 20
Faster than
2:35:19
Wave 21
Faster than
2:37:32
Wave 22
Faster than
2:39:45
Wave 23
Faster than
2:41:57
Wave 24
Faster than
2:44:09
Wave 25
Faster than
2:47:36
Wave 26
Faster than
2:51:03
Wave 27
Faster than
2:53:51
Wave 28
Faster than
2:56:42
Wave 29
Faster than
2:59:47
Or First Time Rider
Wave 30
Faster than
3:03:12
Or First Time Rider
Wave 31
Faster than
3:06:52
Or First Time Rider
Wave 32
Faster than
3:10:46
Or First Time Rider
Wave 33
Faster than
3:15:24
Or First Time Rider
Wave 34
Faster than
3:20:03
Or First Time Rider
Wave 35
Faster than
3:25:34
Or First Time Rider
Wave 36
Faster than
3:33:43
Or First Time Rider
Wave 37
Faster than
3:44:34
Or First Time Rider
Wave 38
3:44:35
Or Slower
Or First Time Rider
Wave 39
First Time Rider
Wave 40
First Time Rider
Wave 41
First Time Rider
Wave 42
First Time Rider
Wave 43
First Time Rider
Wave 44
First Time Rider
Wave 45
First Time Rider
Wave 46
First Time Rider
Wave 47
First Time Rider
Wave 48
First Time Rider
FAQ – Wave Placement
What happens if I qualify for a wave and its full?
First, we are going to do our best to update waves as quickly as possible so we can communicate which waves are still open. However, it is manual process so it may take us a few days to verify times and place you in your correct wave. If the wave you qualified for and wanted is full, you will be automatically placed in the next available wave.
What if I only have one or two races completed out of the last five years?
Please average the times you do have from 2017-2019 & 2021 and use this number as your qualifying time.
I’d like to ride with my significant other, best friend, aunt, 3rd cousin twice removed, etc. Can we do that?
Yes, you can all apply for the same wave as long as you all qualify for that wave. In other words, base your wave request off of the person with the slowest times in your group.
I am a first-time rider. Any advice?
Spots are available in wave 29 and back for first time riders. Please choose the wave you’d like to be in. If you feel that you should be placed in a faster wave. You will have an opportunity to reach out in the late summer/early fall to request a placement change. This will occur after the transfer out/transfer in period has concluded.
My son/daughter is riding in Iceman Junior, can I ride with them?
While Bell’s Iceman Cometh, Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge Pro Race, and Iceman Junior may all follow the same course; they are separate races. Your child should be comfortable with the 30 mile course before taking to the race. If you or your child is not comfortable with the race course, we can easily transfer them to the Meijer Slush Cup.
We are here to answer your questions. If there is something you think would be valuable for us to share please comment on the blog or email icemaninfo@iceman.com and we will get your questions answered. You’ll also be able to find this information at www.iceman.com/waves.
