While winter has finally returned to much of northern Michigan, allowing for the resumption of winter fat biking, we’ve been busy at Iceman HQ getting ready for the March 3 kick off for this years race registration. We’ll be at Bell’s in Kalamazoo that day, the party starts at 11am with in-person registration. Everyone that shows up to Bell’s gets in the race. Registration information has been updated at this link.
And new to the cycling calendar is the Michigan Mountain Bike Festival scheduled for August 25-27 at Boyne Mountain. Details are firming up but here’s what they have planned so far. This is a new event put on by the MMBA that they hope to move around to different areas from year to year. Registration should be up fairly soon.
Women’s Skills Clinic Advanced Jumps & Burms Clinic Hands-on Trailbuilding Class Demo Fair & Food Trucks Group rides on the new Avalanche trail Kid’s Skills Clinic Kid’s Movie Storytelling & Bonfire Under the Stars Shuttles to trails On-site childcare Chairlift Happy Hour on the Mountain Live Band Raffle and last but not least…
Beer Tent
Oh, one more thing, we strongly encourage all the members of the Iceman Community to support the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. Representing 11 chapters across Michigan the MMBA works to advocate for and protect trail access, collaborate with land managers, communities and other partners to build and maintain sustainable trails. With the huge growth of mountain biking trails in Michigan this year, your contributions are more important than ever!
With racers flying in from as far away as Alaska, the USAC Fatbike Nationals will be hosted in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 26-29, 2017! According one of the organizers it’s not only for Pros but “Anyone can race!” There are fields for Pro/Open, Amateur and Juniors with age awards for Masters, Single Speed and Juniors. Register here.
Saturday is the USAC race and Sunday is the Michigan Fatbike State Championship! So 2 races in one weekend!
If you don’t want to race, go to Grand Rapids to spectate and enjoy the festivities listed below:
Thursday EXPO. Number Plate Pick Up, Onsite Registration, Course Open 9am-5pm
6pm Thursday Throwdown TT and Racer Reception- Indian Trails
Friday EXPO. Number Plate Pick Up, Onsite Registration, Course Open 9am-5pm
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.
Once again, we have tons of horse power about to push each other to the limits of their bodies and bikes. Race starts at 2:30 in Kalkaska. Don’t miss it.
Troy Wells
Troy, 32, is returning to defend is 2015 Pro Men’s win. Hailing from Durango, Co., and races for Team Clif Bar Cycling. He finished 3rd at the October 16th US Open of Cyclocross. Apparently he is one of the riders on the Team Clif Bar with the most nicknames. “The Bear” and Trois Biscotti” are two of our favorites. We’re quite sure he enjoyed the 2015 Bell’s Sunset After Party since he pretty much closed it down. We couldn’t stay awake that late.
@tdub255
Russell Finsterwald
Finsty, 25, finished 4th in 2014 & 2015. He comes from Boulder, Colorado and races for SRAM | Troy Lee Designs Race Team. He recently finished 3rd at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Nationals STXC race. He’s been racing Iceman since the time when he’d try to get a fake i.d. to get into the After Party and now he practically owns it. @finsty http://finsterwald.bike
Todd Wells
Todd Wells, 40, of Durango, Co., races for SRAM/Troy Lee Designs, and is just killing it this year. Although we know he has a history of winning including fourteen National Championship titles across four disciplines. This year he’s finished first in the following races: 1st Sea Otter Classic XC, 1st at Whiskey 50 Off Road Crit, 1st Grand Junction Off Road 1st, Leadville 100 and 1st in the USA Cycling Marathon National Championships! Be afraid other pro racers. Be very afraid. Last year he finished 6th overall. @yotwells
Brian Matter
Brian, 37, finished 7th in 2015. In 2016, he’s won the Midwest MTB Classic Day 2, New Glarus Road Race and the Sun Prarie Cup. After his win in 2014, Brian holds the record for the most wins at 4! Will 2016 make it a 5th? We can’t wait to find out. Brian is sponsored by Trek / Bontrager / Shimano / Pro Gold / JTree / Rock Shox. He also rocks the Bell’s After Party. Don’t miss it. Find him at b-matter.com/ and on Twitter
@TheWiscoDisco
Travis (TJ) Woodruff
TJ , 33, races for his own coaching company Momentum Endurance, and Pivot Cycles, his best finish is 7th Always a solid rider, he’s not going to let any one take a break on Saturday. His wife Chloe will be ripping it up with the Pro Ladies and was last year’s Champ.@tjwoodruff
Ben Sonntag
Ben, 36, from Durango, Co finished 8th in the 2015 Bell’s Iceman and 5th in the 2012. He rides for 9niner bikes/ Team Clif Bar Cycling. He finished 4th in the US Cup/Bonlli Park XC #2. Welcome back Ben!@ZeGermanCyclist
Tristan Schouten
Schouten, 34, won the 2003 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. He finished 11th last year. He hails Plymouth, WI and rides for Rolf Prima/Atitude Sports.@SchoutenTristan
Brad White
Brad, 34, resides in Holland, Michigan and races for UnitedHealthCare. He’s a former All-American collegiate swimmer and his renown sprinting skills have earned him the nickname “Captain America”. He won the Wilmington Grand Prix this year and has been spotted doing course recon. @bwcycling
Cole House
Cole, 28, placed 10th last year. He hails from Oneida, WI. This year he came in 1st in the Reforestation Ramble, 2nd at Treadfest, and 4th at Celtic Cross CX. He’s raced every year since 2011, with his best result being 5th in 2014. @Cole_House
Stephen Ettinger
Stephen, 27, finished 5th in 2013. He is also a member of Team USA. He comes from Cashmere, WA. He’s certainly looking for the top step this year. He’s been spotted this week in the woods of Northern MI with the crew from Einstein Cycles. @settinger_
Spencer Paxson
Spencer (Bellingham, Wash./Kona Bicycles Factory Team) is new to Iceman but definitely not new to racing. He’s a 6x US National Team Member and 2x Olympic Long Team Member. Welcome Spencer! @slaxsonMTB
Howard Grotts
Howard, 23, was the only member of the 2016 USA Men’s Olympic Mountain Bike team. He is a newbie to Iceman. He races for Specialized and was 2014 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships U23. Welcome Howard! @HowardGrotts
Isaac Neff
Isacc, 30, rides for Neff Cycle Service. He was 18th 2015 and 6th in 2014. In 2016, he finished 1st in the Midwest MTB Championships day 1. He says his bike and his body are dialed and ready for this year! @neff_Isaac
Payson, 23, of Durango, Co. races for RideBiker p/b Sho-Air . He finished 8th at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Nationals, XC. Welcome Payson!
Don’t forget our top local racers who know the course and plan on giving the pro’s a run for their money:
Jorden Wakeley
Jorden is racing a new bike from Cannondale, for a new sponsor M22 and has a new hunger that he didn’t have last year. He’s in this race to win it and we can’t wait to watch him try. He finished 9th last year, has podiumed at many Michigan races this year including winning Ore2Shore and is the 2015 Arrowhead Ultra winner. @JordenWakeley
Alex Vanias
Alex, (Team OAM Now), placed 12th last year and just won Peak2Peak. He’s fast on skis and bike, don’t let his quiet personality fool you…he’s an animal.
Jeff Owens
Jeff will be racing for Keen Technical. It’s his first time at the big dance but that doesn’t make him a wall flower. Jeff is humble, but has a stamina and speed that is the envy of Traverse City.
Sean Kickbush
Sean, (M22 racing) is part cyclist, triathlete, business owner, barista, and bartender but he is 100% a competitor.
Cody Sovis,
Cody (Einstein Racing), won the Men’s Fat Bike division last year. He’s no stranger to the Pro Race, but this year he’s rebuilt himself. He’s faster. Stronger. And quite possibly the funniest blogging cyclist we know. Kolotc.wordpress.com
