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.
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
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.
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.
