Iceman Cometh Challenge News

Chill Out and Ride On: Exploring the Importance of Laid-Back Group Rides

We all take part in group rides throughout the year. Some are fast training sessions, while others are purely social endeavors. Either way, the essence remains the same: it’s about having fun, sharing our vibes, and enjoying the rolling motion beneath our wheels.

For me, some of the best rides I’ve ever experienced have been chill, no-pressure outings with friends. Laid-back group rides offer a welcome break from the pressures of performance, allowing us to unwind and revel in the simple pleasures of riding. It’s not about being the fastest or the fittest; it’s about camaraderie and connection with fellow riders.

One ride that stands out in my memory is the Massive Fallout ride in 2023. Roughly 45 miles are split between 5 MTB trails connected by rail-trail routes. What started as a mass group ride to close out the season somehow turned into a race at the beginning. Some of us found ourselves ahead of the pack, while others got lost in the shuffle. However, when we stopped and regrouped, the laughter and realization of getting caught up in the fun pushed us to take it easy and enjoy the ride.

While laid-back rides may not offer the same physical challenge as intense workouts, they provide invaluable opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. The conversations and laughter shared on these rides foster bonds that extend beyond the bike, enriching our lives in unexpected ways. Riding has a unique way of making all our problems fade away, especially when surrounded by the right group of people. Having friends you can open up to and talk about life’s problems with while putting in miles is a win-win for all.

Even though some rides may start out with a training mindset, they often evolve into laid-back outings, like the De Ronde van Grampian practice ride with friends. Despite my initial intentions to train, the day turned into a chill ride because it just wasn’t feeling right. Riding a fat bike, I’m often able to keep up with the group or even lead the pack. However, on this particular day, I found myself struggling to maintain my usual pace, resulting in being slower than usual. It was one of those off days we all experience from time to time. But hey, it’s all part of the ride. As we cruised along, my friends jokingly remarked, “Looks like we’re faster than G today!” It was all in good fun, a lighthearted reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to enjoy the ride, no matter the pace.

So, the next time you’re itching to get outside and ride, consider rounding up some friends and planning a laid-back group ride. Whether it’s on gravel roads, winding single tracks, or smooth pavement, prioritize the joy of riding together over speed or performance. Remember, the essence of cycling lies not just in the physical exertion but also in the connections made and the memories shared along the way. So chill out, ride on, and let the simple pleasures of biking remind you of the beauty of the outdoors and the camaraderie found on two wheels.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Gerald Gaecke @g_dub83_

EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUENESS: THE POWER OF BEING YOURSELF IN CYCLING AND LIFE

Since I started my biking journey, from a young age, I have appreciated the lessons I have learned, and the growth I have endured from them. One of the main lessons I have learned, to grow the most from, is embracing my own uniqueness on the course and in my life. In mountain biking, it is very easy to get pulled into cool trends, and match with everyone else. Although new kits and new bikes can be exciting to get, it is more important to focus on being yourself in this sport.

For years, I dealt with feeling “slower” than everyone else at practice, because I grew up being in the hospital and working through recovery from many surgeries. I would see all of the other kids at practice riding around and having so much fun jumping on their bikes, but I felt like being apart from that fun made me “slower”. But as I worked harder, I started to gain more confidence in my skills and capabilities. I started to realize that it did not matter how fast I was at the time, but it was the time and effort that was put into my training. After I stopped worrying about others I started to have more fun riding around on the Michigan trails.

Switching from riding casually to racing was another way for me to embrace my uniqueness. Many were concerned for how young I was when going to these intense races, but I felt the need to start putting my skills to use. Personally I really was looking forward to being so young and racing. ESPECIALLY AS A GIRL!! There were definitely many challenges to racing, like the other riders, taking risks, and dealing with the new courses. Racing as a girl was an opportunity to be unique.

Throughout my 11 years of biking, I have learned that being in a community of racers is the easiest way to embrace yourself. Joining a biking club or a mountain bike race team can help you to find your place in the community. Ever since I was invited to join the McLains Stonehound race team I have felt so excepted for being myself. Riding with a big group of people can seem like you are all one person, which you are, but you also are your own self. Being part of McLains helped me to understand that being a female in mountain biking is one of the best sports a girl could do, and it also showed me that being myself in front of others is okay!

So to all of the many cyclists out there, I encourage you to embrace your own skills to the fullest abilities, and to become the strongest version of yourself by standing up for what is true to you. Never give up on your plans and goals in life and on the course, and train hard to accomplish the best race at Iceman 2024.

Thank you to our 2024 Junior Iceman Ambassador Piper Shumar @pipershumar

395LBS NO MORE…

My riding experience has been very limited compared to most. I got into this crazy world during the pandemic. April 2020 was my first ride. (Can’t believe I am entering my 4th year) With no miles under my belt, I told my wife that I was going to go for a “Spin” around Sanford Lake. It’s roughly 21 miles all the way around 😲. My wife thought I was nuts, but she was used to my randomness and she wanted me out of her way. My rear was very sore after that first ride. Not to mention, I was weighing in at about 330-340lbs.(My largest was 395lbs) Poor little road bike. I immediately fell in love with the challenge. Right when I started to fall in love with my route, something happened that no one saw coming.

Some of you may not know, Sanford Lake is based in the little town of Sanford. “Best Little Town By A Dam Site” Well, in May 2020 we got hit with a ton of rain which resulted in a “500 year Flood”. We had multiple Dam Failures, which caused our little town to become a huge disaster. Everything I had known, was gone. My time on a bike came to a halt. My time and energy was focused on helping those in need in downtown Sanford. This was a very stressful time for my Sanford Family. I usually handled stress by eating my way through a bag of Cool Ranch Chips. I made the choice to take my stress to the woods. BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE! I fell in love in Mountain Biking! This little hobby started becoming a lifestyle. Ended up getting myself a Fatbike and it was game on!

My wife and daughter had no idea, they were going to become the BEST support crew I could ever ask for. We started going to group rides and even got involved with CMMBA, which I currently sit on the board for. Got involved with Adventure Team, which gets kids involved in the outdoors. I have met some amazing people through this sport, but the one that has been the biggest impact is my good riding buddy Doug! He told me about Iceman and told me I should check it out. ICEMAN 2021 was my first race and it was VERY energetic to say this least. I fell in love with the energy and all the support people give on the sidelines. It is truly a great picture to what this sport is all about. 2022 Iceman I blew apart my rear hub which was not ideal to say the least. Thanks to the Bell’s support team back at Timber Ridge, it helped ease the pain. Double 2 hearted for the win. 2023 Iceman, I set a new record for myself and was blessed to have my whole family by my side while doing it. The mountain bike scene has changed my life and I feel like my story might be able to help those that might be struggling. I am here to help. I am always sharing my own unique motivational posts on Instagram @Casey_theautoguy and Facebook. Please be sure to follow along this year and I am excited to share my journey for ICEMAN 2024.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Casey Smith @casey_theautoguy

Age Groupers Unite!

Making time to ride is HARD. Between work, kids, social commitments, kid’s social commitments, and you know, sleeping and eating, it can feel near impossible to make time to ride.

However, it’s important. Not just for kicking butt in your age group at Iceman but because the freedom and exercise that the bike gives you is going to make you, well, a better you, As Elle Woods famously said,”Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” All jokes aside, we want to spend more time in the woods, preferably on some single track. Here are some ways I try to make that happen without neglecting my other responsibilities:

1. Schedule it- My husband and I both race, so we split the days of the week to train. I ride Tuesdays and Thursdays after work while he hangs out with our daughter and he rides Monday and Wednesdays. That way we both know who is going to be on kid duty and who is riding. I am more likely to schedule bike dates with my friends or go on group rides as long as I know ahead of time that I will be able to ride those days. Saturday and Sunday are more flexible and usually we both get some time to ride. Our daughter is young, so we don’t have those weekend sports to work around yet! As soon as I know about a group ride, race or event I put in on the calendar so we both know about it and that way we are more likely to work together to make it happen.

2. Get the whole family involved- Often we go as a family to a trail (preferably one that has a play ground) and bring our bikes and lunch. One of us will hang out with our daughter at the play ground and one will ride then we will switch. Often my daughter will want to take her strider on the trail as well. I’m just hoping when she’s older she still thinks I’m cool enough to ride with, and that I can still keep up with her!

3. Bring it with you- If it is my day to ride and I have to drive somewhere to work I try to just bring everything with me that I need for riding. That way I can spend less time commuting and just go straight to my ride after work. Do my coworkers make fun of me for walking out of the office in cycling shorts? Sure do, but I know I look awesome to other cyclists and that’s all that matters. I also know I have a better chance of catching bedtime if I ride right after work is done.

4. Embrace the short ride- I struggle with this. Often I will just not ride if I can’t ride more than an hour, but I should! An hour or even a half hour in between other commitments counts! Make it a hard effort. Work up a sweat. It may not seem worth the hassle but hey, it might just be the highlight of your day.

5. Keep it together- Your biking gear that is. Between the bike, kit, gear, and nutrition sometimes the time it takes to get it all together in such a time suck. Now, I keep everything I need for a ride in a dedicated cycling bag. After a ride I replace whatever nonperishable nutrition I used, wash what I need to wash, throw my big computer and taillight on the chargers and when its done I put it all back in the bag. That way it’s all packed and ready to go for the next time and It’s one less barrier to getting out the door.

6. The early morning grind- Yes, everyone knows this one but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it. Sometimes the only time you have is in the early morning before the chaos of the day starts. Personally, Im not a morning person so this doesn’t work for me but I’m lucky enough to have some time to ride at other points of the day.

These tips may or may not work for everyone, they may not even work for most people but hopefully there is something helpful here you can use. Most of all when you do find time to be on the bike relish it. Enjoy it fully. Do not let the parental/work/whatever type of guilt seep through. Use this time to fill your cup so you can show up for those who need you. Embrace your time on the bike even when its hard to find that time.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Meg Hagerman @hagermanm

The fire that’s lit after a year out of the saddle

Last year’s Iceman I had serious FOMO. I live just a ten minute walk from the Iceman finish line at Timber Ridge and seeing all the racers and spectators roll in was hard. As badly as I wanted to be crossing that finish line, it wasn’t in the cards for me last year. But just because it wasn’t a big year on the bike for me, doesn’t mean it wasn’t a big year for me and my family.

We had been wanting to start a family since before we got married, so being pregnant in 2023 was very much so planned – I knew I would be sitting out races and I was certainly ok with that. But just like most active and fit women before they get pregnant, I had grandiose plans of staying fit, biking as long as I could, running my little heart out, and being a top-notch cheerleader for races like Iceman while pregnant. Well, as great as that sounds, it was not my reality. The INTENSE nausea, fainting, day to day sickness that came on very quickly with the start of my pregnancy threw a big ‘ol wrench in my plans. It took all of my energy for a daily walk and the occasional lifting session when I was up for it. My body hurt, I was fainting and/or puking on the regular when I tried to exercise, I got covid, the flu, shingles, I went home sick from work sooo many times, and with things in my body moving around and feeling like they weren’t where they were supposed to be (if you know you know) I couldn’t handle being on a bike seat more than 1-2x total throughout my entire pregnancy. I am clearly not good at being pregnant.

Even when Iceman rolled around, I was so disappointed in myself for not following through on my plans that I didn’t even step foot on the grounds of Timber Ridge for the crazy fun the finish line and after party is. (Silly! I know!!)

Fast forward to January 2024 when my beautiful baby boy arrived. It seemed in an instant that I forgot how hard being pregnant was for me. I wouldn’t have changed a single moment – I love this little guy more than anything and would go through it all over again a million times if I had to. They say your brain chemistry changes when the moment they place that baby on your chest. I have know idea who “they” is, but boy were they right! I want to be the best mom I can be and, without a doubt, that means I need to be the best version of me. The best version of me tends not only to my child’s needs, but mine as well. And for me that means getting back on the saddle, no matter how hard it is at first (HOLY COW getting back into shape postpartum is TOUGH) and taking care of my mind and body. Doing so will allow be to be fully present for my son. He will grow up getting to see the importance I put on human movement and taking pride in doing what makes you happy. This year of racing will look a little different for me. Whether I end up on the podium this time around or not, one thing is clear: my fire is lit and burning brighter than ever before.

See you out there fellow bad@$$ Icemamas.

A huge thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Allyson Klug @allysonklug

Embrace Your Uniqueness: The Power of Being Yourself in Cycling and Life

As I sit here reflecting on my journey through the world of cycling, I can’t help but feel grateful for the lessons learned and the growth experienced along the way. One of the most significant revelations I’ve had is the importance of embracing my uniqueness both on and off the bike. In a sport where trends and gear can sometimes overshadow individuality, it’s crucial to remember that true strength and fulfillment come from staying true to yourself.

For years, I rode a freestyle 20″ BMX bike on trails, often surrounded by riders on traditional mountain bikes. At first, I felt a twinge of self-consciousness, wondering if my unconventional choice of bike was hindering my ability to keep up. But as I gained confidence in my skills and trusted in my own capabilities, I realized that it wasn’t about the bike I rode or the clothes I wore—it was about the joy and freedom I felt while riding. I learned to appreciate the agility and maneuverability of my BMX, using it to navigate tight corners and technical terrain with finesse.

Transitioning to a fat bike for year-round riding was another opportunity to embrace my uniqueness. While some may have questioned my decision to ride a fat bike on trails, I remained steadfast in my belief that it was the right choice for me. Sure, there were moments of doubt and uncertainty, especially when faced with steep climbs or challenging conditions. But with each pedal stroke, I grew stronger and more confident, proving to myself that I was capable of overcoming any obstacle.

Throughout my journey, I’ve come to understand that comparison is the thief of joy. When we constantly measure ourselves against others, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to celebrate our own achievements and progress. Whether I’m riding with friends or racing against competitors, I focus on giving my best effort and staying true to who I am as a rider. I’ve learned to trust in my instincts and abilities, knowing that my uniqueness is what sets me apart and makes me a strong rider.

So to all the fellow cyclists out there, I encourage you to embrace your uniqueness with pride. Whether you’re riding a BMX, a fat bike, or anything in between, remember that it’s not about fitting in—it’s about standing out and being true to yourself. Trust in your abilities, celebrate your victories, and never underestimate the power of being yourself in cycling and in life.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Cometh Challenge Ambassador Gerald Gaecke @geraldgaecke

Iceman Cometh Challenge Podcast – Season 2

Hello Iceman Nation! We have this month’s podcast ready for you to enjoy and get inspired for the upcoming Iceman Cometh Challenge! Before we get into the podcast, we would like to introduce our 2024 Iceman Cometh Challenge hosts!

Returning for a second year is Alex Primeau! Alex is a passionate mountain biker and a lover of all things cycling, from hitting the local trails with friends to exploring new routes and pushing his limits on two wheels.

As a volunteer at Norte Youth Cycling Club, Alex loves helping young riders discover the joy and excitement of mountain biking. He’s also a big believer in the power of bikes to heal and bring people together.

Alex has tackled some challenging races in the past, including Marji Gesick 100 and winning Iceman singlespeed. His favorite rides are getting dropped at Out n’ Backs and dawn patrol on the Old Mission Peninsula.

His most memorable ride to date was in the Northern Michigan woods where he proposed to his now wife, while she was still on the bike.

Alex once ate an entire 5-pound bag of Albanese gummy bears in one sitting. He loves exploring with his dog, Koda, singing karaoke, playing pool and Settlers of Catan.

Alex’s love for all things cycling shines through in every episode of the Iceman Cometh podcast. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new to the mountain bike scene, tune in and discover why cycling is more than just a sport – it’s a way of life.

Joining Alex this year is Shannon Kochis. Shannon is a local mom, business owner and a fellow racer in the Traverse City Cycling Community.

Shannon takes advantage of any free time that comes her way and shoots out to the VASA for some fresh air and hero dirt. The Vasa is her favorite place to be, especially with the mix of 2-track and Singletrack options.

“Racing is fun, but enjoying the community around the rides and races is my favorite part of riding bikes”, says Shannon.

We are excited to have Alex and Shannon kick off the season with our first podcast host, Chad Schut! Head on over to the podcast and get out on the trails!

Rider Radio: Season 2 / Episode 1

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Cometh Challenge Podcast hosts Alex Primeau @ajspartan92 and Shannon Kochis @sklove4.

Elaine’s Iceman recap

Iceman 2023 was truly the definition of an end-of-year celebration. Michigan weather came through with a clear, sunny day in the low to mid 40’s. While it was a bit chilly at the start, there is nothing quite like gathering around one of the finish line fires with a Bell’s Two-Hearted while rocking the Iceman beanie. When I say that everyone is at Iceman, I mean it. Athletes from the mountain bike, road, gravel and even triathlon circles turn up to race or cheer on their friends.

My race looked a little different than in years past. I had a last-minute roll-down spot to run the Javelina Jundred (100K) in Arizona the weekend before Iceman. It’s an iconic race in the ultramarathon world. It’s the Halloween-themed party in the desert featuring fire jugglers, costumes, and a rave. Running for 10 hours was definitely not the ideal activity for an Iceman performance the next week. Running in the 85 degree desert heat wasn’t good acclimation for a chilly November morning in Michigan either. However, there was no way I was going to turn down either event! As soon as I lined up at Iceman start, I felt that competitive spirit spark one last time for the year.

Iceman is such a wild time because it is a competitive event, but it’s also just plain fun. Every road crossing, aid station, and most of the hills have a cheer squad – from a handful of volunteers pointing you towards the trail, to the costumed folks screaming at you to make it up that climb. It’s easy to keep smiling through the rough patches with that type of energy bolstering you along. I’ve said it many times, but my adrenal glands didn’t power me through Iceman this year – I pulled all my energy from the spectators!

The course was a little different this year, slightly shorter but with more single track. The classic climbs were still there and sure enough, Rob Meendering was parked up at Icebreaker to capture the smiles and grimaces coming up that last stretch.

The highlight of the race for me was getting to hang out and recap the season afterwards with all of our cycling friends. A close second highlight is that several of the amazing juniors on my team, Athletic Mentors, raced in the women’s pro field. I hope that collectively, we in the amateur field and the incredible pro women, inspire the next generation of strong women cyclists to turn out and turn up. See you all at the finish line next year!

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Cometh Challenge Ambassador Elaine Sheikh @elaine_muskrat

Nina’s Iceman Recap

The last race of dirt season turns also into the biggest party in the woods . I haven‘t been at any other bike race yet that has this very special “Iceman atmosphere”. There aren’t many opportunities out there to ride your bike with 5000 passionate cycling friends and have a party together after.

This year marked my third Iceman Cometh Challenge and for the first time in my “racing career”, I had the privilege to start with the CAT1 women. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about this. I don‘t see myself belong in a pro wave at any bike race but I appreciate these opportunities and I took it as a great learning experience. I also hope to be an inspiration for other women out there, to sign up for a bike race, enjoy this amazing cycling community and maybe find your own limits. I didn’t have any expectations or goals for the race, other than not coming in last.

My bike of choice for this year’s race was a Specialized Epic Hardtail. In retrospect, it was probably not the best choice for me personally. It’s the first Hardtail I’ve owned and I was not used to the bike. With the fresh cut Single-track, I‘d probably would‘ve been better off on my Full Suspension Mountainbike. I have definitely seen more people on Full Suspension bikes this year, than in the past two years.

While all wave starts leave Kalkaska airport in the morning, the Pro waves didn‘t start until 3pm on Saturday. Honestly, I was very happy about this, as it was a cold morning and it took some time to warm up. When the sun came out, I think it was clear for everyone at that time: We‘ll have another “Niceman” ahead of us.

I was ready to race! Lining up at the start-line with 25 incredible strong and super fast women was a one of a kind experience. Very different from a wave start with probably about 100 people. The last few seconds before a start are the worst for me. I was very nervous and had all kinds of different thoughts running through my head. Will I be able to keep up at the start? Will I race on my own the whole time? Am I going to finish last? And so on… But as soon as the countdown is done and the gun goes off, it’s just the focus on pedaling a bicycle.

The start was, as expected, fast from the line, but I have to say, less chaotic, due to less people around you. I was able to hold position in the mid-pack and to my own surprise, was also able to maintain this position all the way out of the airport into the two track. After following the lead-group through the two-track for about a mile it was clear to me, I couldn’t keep this pace for the entire race. I had to let go and rode by myself for a few, before I caught up to another rider in front of me and we traded pulls for a while. A few miles into the single-track, we caught up to Trainer Road’s Ivy Audrain, who let us pass instantly. I thought, she must have had a mechanical or some kind of problem, as she is a professional cyclocross racer and there is no way I would be able to keep up with her. Turns out, she just really enjoyed the secretly famous Iceman handups 😉

Riding up the famous Anita’s Hill is always a challenge. Being on my own this year didn’t make it any easier. I remember my first time seeing the hill and pushing up my bike in 2020. I thought to myself, how in the world are people able to ride up a hill like this. Turns out, with a little bit of training, it is possible, but I still wouldn’t say it’s fun. But the fun starts after you made it up and over…

Iceman is also the race, that gets you more excited the closer you get to the finish. Not because of the finish line, not (only) because of what position you’ll finish the race but mostly because of the insanely loud crowds waiting for you on both sides of Woodchip hill, Icebreaker and all the way to the finish. I’ve never experienced any other race, where the only noise you can hear is the crowd cheering you on while your heart rate is maxed out going up the last two hills of the race. You even start to wonder if you’re still breathing. This year, my friend Samantha and I went into this section together and it was a great feeling having all our friends waiting for us and cheering us on.

I finished the Iceman Cometh Challenge 2023 in 2:09:28, which got me 23rd out of 26th female racers. I’m more than happy with this result and I’m already excited to improve this time next year in my 4th (N-)Iceman 2024 😊

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Cometh Ambassador Nina Waschenfelder @ninasmtblife

Tobi’s Iceman Recap

As the mountain biking community in Michigan eagerly anticipates the crisp fall air and colorful leaves as we roll into November, one event stands alone waiting for all of us – The Iceman Cometh Challenge, affectionately known as the Catalina Wine Mixer of mountain biking. This year’s race not only lived up to the hype but exceeded my expectations.

Having spent most of the season tackling 200+ mile races, I approached Iceman with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The morning was perfect and the 15 minute wave shift was welcomed for additional daylight at the airport. The race was fast from the start and I had a huge smile on my face as we hit the new singletrack sections before Williamsburg road. As I rolled into the Vasa and the familiar last few miles, the vibes were felt as I crested Mount Gary. Rolling through the new finish was a bit slower this year with some slippery corners, but it was a race where I left it all out there!

One highlight of the event was witnessing my daughter’s impressive performance in only her second Slush Cup, securing a well-deserved 3rd place age group finish. I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be before she’s urging me to pick up the pace, and ride faster.

The unique charm of Iceman lies in its ability to blend the thrill of racing with a fun, festival-like atmosphere. Where else can you witness kids and juniors tearing up the course alongside world-class pros, all in a single day? The energy from the crowds, amplified by the ”niceman” weather this year, created an amazing atmosphere that added an extra layer of excitement to the race.

As we raise a virtual toast to a fantastic weekend in the mitten, The Iceman Cometh Challenge remains not just a race but a celebration of camaraderie, passion, and the sheer thrill of conquering Michigan’s trails. Cheers to the riders, the spectators, and the organizers who make this event a highlight on the mountain biking calendar. Until next year, keep those wheels spinning and the adrenaline flowing!

Rob Meendering Photography perfectly captured the essence of the weekend in the first two photos.

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Ambassador Tobi Tungl @tobitungl