Tag: Pro Women

2019 Pro Women Preview

2019 Pro Women Preview

The 30th edition of the Bell’s Iceman Cometh is going to one of the most exciting editions of the race yet, and one huge reason for that is the decidedly unpredictable nature of the women’s Pro field. Just a single rider returns from 2018’s top five, which means we’re in for a wide open race in which tactics and brains will be just as important as the riders’ legs. From across North America, the top mountain bike talent will descend on Traverse City to vie for bragging rights, a big payout, and an even bigger bottle of Bell’s beer. The field of 22 just might be the most evenly matched to date, and we’re expecting some incredibly close racing for 2019!

The Favorites

A multi-time Czech national champion and Olympian in mountain biking and cross country skiing, Katerina Nash is a true legend of the sport. If we had to pick a favorite to win this race, it’s most certainly Nash. More than capable of winning any event she enters, the experienced Nash will look to take her second Iceman crown, with her last win coming in 2017 in dramatic fashion, just ahead of… well, see below!

Rose Grant takes up the line in the stead of her Stan’s NoTubes/Pivot Bicycles teammates Chloe Woodruff and Sofia Villafane. After having to write-off her 2018 season due to injuries, Grant has stormed back in style, winning the Leadville 100 in 2019. Grant came tantalizingly close to winning Iceman in 2017, where she was narrowly beaten by Katerina Nash. Based on her run of form in 2019, Grant has every chance to take the win when she and Nash renew their rivalry on Saturday.  

Haley Hunter Smith had a breakout year on the World Cup scene in 2019, becoming a fixture at the front of the races and getting plenty of camera time. This is her first Iceman, so be sure to give Haley an extra big cheer as she charges up Icebreaker – maybe for the dream scenario of a debut win!

She may be from Cadillac, but we’ve been calling her a local hero for years. Kaitlyn Patterson was a late entry to the race, but the perennial podium finisher is back! She’s not just here for the beer, either. She put in a dominant performance at Peak2Peak two weeks ago, and she’s seen everything Iceman can offer in terms of competition, course, and weather. 

The Dark Horses

Keep an eye on Leia Schneeberger from Wisconsin. She put on a show at this year’s Peak to Peak, coming in second place behind a dominant Kaitlyn Patterson and ahead of a bevy of exceptionally strong riders. She’s had some great races at Iceman in the past, but Leia looks to be on a whole new level entirely this season.

Maddy Frank is the pride of Grand Rapids, MI and she’s coming back to Michigan for a run at the biggest race in the Midwest. A student athlete at Lindenwood University, Frank has had a fantastic season of training and racing at the highest level in the collegiate ranks. Can she parlay that additional experience into a top five in 2019?

The Locals

Susan Vigland is as fast as ever, and this could be the year that she pulls off a huge win for all of Traverse City. She’s cracked the top in this race before, and she only needs a few things to go her way to take a big step up to the top of the podium. 

Vigland will have her equally strong teammate, Bridgett Widrig, available to play the role of foil, or win in her own right. Widrig has been training exceptionally hard and has the Iceman course dialed in perhaps better than anyone else in the state. Few riders in the Women’s Pro field will have the benefit of having a teammate in the mix, so this is an advantage the Hagerty women will be sure to exploit. 

The Pro field also welcomes Shannon Kochis to the mix for 2019. Kochis, having podiumed in her age group in every previous edition of Iceman, she’s looking to test herself against the very fastest riders in the event. That’s what Iceman is all about; setting ambitious goals, testing yourself, and seeing where you end up. We love to see people stepping up to the big dance, Shannon!


The Pro Women leave Kalkaska at 2:33 pm, so be sure to make some noise for them as the come in just behind the Pro Men. You can view the complete entry list for the 2019 Pro women here, and check out the results of the Pro women race from 2018 here.

Welcome out 2018 Pro Women!

Welcome our 2018 Pro Women!

The Pro Women’s race is anyone’s race to win!  With neither 2017 1st or 2nd place finishers racing, the podium is wide open.  Besides some of our veteran racers, we’ve got some new ladies that shouldn’t be overlooked.  This is going to be good folks!

Check out the full sortable list of racers.

Kaitlyn Patterson: 
4th Place for 2018. Kaitlyn has finished 2nd in 2016 and 3rd in 2017, will 2018 her chance to claim 1st place?  No longer the new girl, Kaitlyn comes with a reputation and she (and everyone around her) will have to work hard on Saturday to keep up.

Chloe Woodruff: 
Winner for 2018. After reigning champ for 2 years, Chloe wasn’t on the podium last year, but with Katerina Nash MIA, Chloe has her sights on the top step again!   She races for Team Stan’s NoTubes – PIVOT and TEAM USA. Find her at http://www.chloewoodruff.com/ or on twitter @chloewoodruff 

Amy Beisel:
5th Place for 2018. Amy has been hovering near the top step for a while.  In 2016 she got 3rd, 2017 6th and this year might be her year to be back on the podium. She races Orange Seal Off-Road Team.  Amy is also the 2016 Fat Bike World Champion, she’ll be ready if it starts to snow.  You can find her on Ice Society and http://rachel-scott-2ct9.squarespace.com/

Catharine Pendrel:
3rd Place for 2018. After taking a year off from Iceman and a humerus break this season, Catharine is back!   She won the 2013 Pro Women’s race but even more impressive is her winning a Bronze Medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, her 2x World Champion, and 3x Canadian Olympian. She races for the Clif Pro Team. http://cpendrel.blogspot.com/

Rachel Langdon:
Rachel, 30, hails from Louisville, KY.  The last two years she has been an impressive 6th and 7th.  This year she won Barry Roubaix AND set a course record. She races for Gray Goat Bullseye Total Media and has a whole lot of races under her belt for 2018 with some serious results! 

Mary Penta:
@mary_penta , 39,  of Indiana and sponsored by Think Green/Bicycle Face.  She finished 2nd this year at the Barry Roubaix, a mere 3 seconds behind Rachel Langdon.  She’s been racing quite a bit this year and we’re excited to see what she’s got.

Georgia Gould:

Georgia will face her biggest Bell’s Iceman Challenge yet.  Not on course, but in the Announcer Box providing commentary to all of us!  We’re pretty sure this two time Bell’s Iceman Champion and U.S. Olympian is up for the challenge and we can’t wait to hear what she has to say!

Please welcome and watch for these Bell’s Iceman Newbies:

Sofia Gomez Villafañe,

2nd Place for 2018. Sofia is 24 and  was born in Argentina but hails from Park City, UT. She races for Stan’s Pivot Pro Team. While new to Bell’s Iceman, she is not new to the sport.  She has an impressive resume and we can’t wait to watch her test her skills on our Northern Michigan Trails.  @sofithevilla

Lindsay Knight, 34, from Chicago, IL. Known for her Cross Cycling skills and her work with youth cycling non-profit Blackstone Bicycle Works.  Lindsay also has a Ph.D. in Political Science and might have a lesson or two for our ladies in the Pro field.

Also in the mix are our local Michigan favorites:

Megan Doerr, 35, races for McLain’s Race Team.  This is her first year racing Pro/Cat 1. Megan was the fastest amateur woman in 2017.  She’s also being inducted into the MMBA 2018 Hall of Fame for Racing!

Maddy Frank, 18.  She’s from Walker, MI.  She finished 1st in the Junior race last year and has stepped up to the Pros.  

Susan Vigland, racing for Hagerty Cycling, is back and stronger than ever.  She’s not only an amazing racer but Susan loves trails and is current board president of TART trails!  

Bridget Widrig, racing for Hagerty Cycling. Bridget is the nicest, most humble person you’ll meet…until the start gun goes off! 

Welcome our 2017 Pro Women!

Welcome our 2017 Pro Women!

The Pro Women’s race is going to be a great one!  With Chloe Woodruff defending her title and going for a 3rd win, she has a strong list of competitors trying to take the top step away.  This is going to be good folks!

Check out the full sortable list of racers.

Chloe Woodruff:  Reigning champ for 2 years, Chloe is returning to again defend her title!   She races for  Team Stan’s NoTubes – PIVOT and TEAM USA. She’s not going to give up her top step without a serious fight. Find her at http://www.chloewoodruff.com/ or on twitter @chloewoodruff 

Kaitlyn Patterson: 

After a show of pure perseverance and grit, Kaitlyn took 2nd last year. She moved to Ann Arbor and is hitting the medical books but after last year, she will not be underestimated or overlooked at the start line.

Amy Beisel:

Amy finally got her podium spot last year with 3rd and we sure she’s gunning for that Ice Trophy this year.   She races Procycling/Kenda. She credits her brother, also a pro cyclist, with encouraging her to buy her first mountain bike.  Amy is also the 2016 Fat Bike World Champion, she’ll be ready if it starts to snow.  You can find her on Ice Society and www.amybeisel.com/. 

Erin Huck:

Erin is coming from Boulder, Co. and is the 2016 US National XC & STXC Champion.  Erin finished 4th in 2015 and 5th in 2016, and knows what she needs to do to get the Ice Trophy!  She rides for Cannondale-3Rox. Contact her on Ice Society, http://erinhuck.com  or twitter @EEHuck. 

Katerina Nash:

Katerina was born in the Czech Republic but now lives in Truckee, CA.  She finished 3rd in the 2015 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. She’s a Five-Time Olympian, 6X UCI World Cup Cyclocross winner & 7 broken ribs in one race, and maybe Saturday we’ll add Bell’s Iceman Cometh Champion!  Katerina is a member of Clif Pro Cycling Team.  Tweet her @KaterinaNash  or  find her on Ice Society. 

Leia Schneeberger

Leia was the 2017 Women’s Champion of  45NRTH Fat Bike Birkie Race. She is also the overall Champion for the second year in a row in the Wisconsin Off Road Series, placed 3rd at Ore2Shore and 1st in the Copper Harbor Festival.  She races for Broken Spoke Racing and Funkier Bike and placed 9th at last years race.

Please welcome and watch for these Bell’s Iceman Newbies:

Rose Grant, from Kalispell, Montana  racing for Stan’s-PIVOT Pro Team has some impressive 2017 wins. https://rose-grant.com)

Karen Jarchow racing for Team Topeak-Ergon was 2016 National Ultra Endurance  Marathon Champion and 2017 Fat Bike World Champion. @KarenJarchow

Also in the mix are our local Michigan Favorites:

Katie Clayton, finished 6th in the Pro Women Peak to Peak race even after a flat tire and 2nd overall female at the MMM Gravel Grinder.  She’s coached by Bell’s Iceman Veteran Mackenzie Woodrig. Katie packs a punch and we can’t wait to see what’s she got in this strong field of women.

Susan Vigland, I know we said this last year but Susan is STILL the quintessential local sweetheart.  She’s fast. She’s smart. She’s more ready than ever.  

Bridget Widrig, after a hiatus from the mountain bike scene, Bridget is back and we can only assumer stronger than ever. 

Finally, two 2016 Bell’s Iceman Junior Women Champs are stepping into the Pro Race, Summer Gilbert and Lexxie Mapes both won their age group categories as Juniors in 2016 and are making a play for the Pro Women game in 2017!

Pro Update: Chloe Woodruff

Pro Update: Chloe Woodruff

Woodruff races to a 9th place finish at the Pan Am Championships in Paipa, Columbia

2015 and 2016 Iceman Pro Woman Champiton Chloe Woodruff traveled to the Pan Am Championships in Paipa, Colombia, where she finished 9th on her Pivot Mach 4 with Stans Valor 27.5 wheels set up with Maxxis Ikon 2.2s and a Fox Transfer dropper. With the race still being early season, Chloe went into the race with uncertain expectations as she is in a building phase for her upcoming season. “I’m used to coming into the race season full throttle. While my result wasn’t great, I felt good on my Mach 4 and had some fun racing in front of a fun Colombian crowd (and to see American Erin Huck win the gold medal!).” Chloe’s 9th place finish earned her UCI points, which is beneficial going into the later season world cups.

With the Sea Otter Classic (April 20-23) and Whiskey Off-Road (April 28-30) coming up, the Pan Am Championships showed to be a good opportunity to get back in the routine of traveling and racing

2017 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration

2017 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration  

The  2017 Bell’s Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge will be on Saturday, November 4th.

Registation for the 2017 Bell’s Beer IcemanCometh Challenge will open on Friday March 3rd at 11:00AM. Once again registration will be limited to first 4,500 Iceman riders and 400 Meijer Slush Cup riders.

More information coming soon!

Welcome the 2016 Pro Women’s Racers

The Pro Women’s field is shaping up nicely with some familiar names and some new ones.  It’s going to be a great race to watch!

Chloe Woodruff: 

Chloe is returning in 2016 as reigning Women’s Champ for 2015! We are so glad she is back defending her title and we love seeing kill our course.   Sheis no stranger to Iceman as took 2nd in 2013, and has been racing mountain bikes since 2002.  She races for Stans NoTubes and rides a 9niner. And if you’re wondering about the After Party at The View in 2015… yup, she arrived late but won that too.  Find her at http://www.chloewoodruff.com/ or on twitter @chloewoodruff 

Amy Beisel:

Amy is making the trip from Gunnison, Colorado.  After finishing 6th in 2015, she’s back and ready for another shot at the top step of the podium.   She races Team RideBiker p/b Sho-air |Isoride |LIV. She credits her brother, also a pro cyclist, with encouraging her to buy her first mountain bike.  Amy is also the reigning Fat Bike World Champion.  You can find her on Ice Society and Facebook. 

Erin Huck:

Erin is coming from Boulder, Co. Erin finished 4th last year and knows what she needs to do to get the Ice Trophy!  She rides for SCOTT-3Rox. She took 1st at the 1st US ProXCT #1, Bonelli. Contact  here on Ice Society, http://erinhuck.com  or twitter @EEHuck. 

Catharine Pendrel

No stranger to being a winner, Catharine returns to Bell’s Iceman this year.  She won the 2013 Pro Women’s race but even more impressive is her winning a Bronze Medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Not only that, she also won her 3rd Overall World Cup title this year.  She races for the Luna Pro Team. It’s going to be a pleasure to see her in our Northern Michigan Woods again. 

Haley Batten

Riding with Luna Pro Team with Catharine is Bell’s Iceman newcomer Haley Batten.  At only 18 years old and an already impressive resume, we look forward to watching Haley for many, many years to come.  Welcome to Bell’s Iceman Haley!

Riding with Luna Pro Team with Catharine is Bell’s Iceman newcomer Haley Batten.  At only 18 years old and an already impressive resume, we look forward to watching Haley for many, many years to come.  Welcome to Bell’s Iceman Haley!

Also in the mix are Local Michigan Favorites:

Mackenzie Woodring, a member of the USA Paralympic squad with her tandem partner. They’ve won 4 medals including gold.  We haven’t seen her at Iceman in a while but in 2013 she placed and impressive 3rd overall.  Welcome back Mackenzie!

Susan Vigland, is the quintessential local sweetheart.  She’s raced Pro Women before but she’s back and faster than ever.  Don’t be surprised if 99% of the crowd is cheering for her!

Kaitlyn Patterson showed up at her first Bell’s Iceman raced last year and made everyone take notice by placed 5th!  She moved to Ann Arbor but has been on the top step more times than we can count this year.  We can’t wait to see what she has in the tank for this year’s Bell’s Iceman!