Tag: Traverse City

NEW BIKE DAY AND FALL SEASON!

Getting a new bike is like refreshing your life. This summer I have been planning on buying a new one and I finally bought it this August! New bike day is extra special when you buy it yourself. This season I will be racing on a Specialized Epic World Cup Expert! 

Transitioning into the fall season with a new bike is gonna be such a blessing to be able to start fresh and fast! Fall season can really show you the progress made over the summer, fall is when riders start to notice it all fall together! We start to see muscle growth, speed, and more riding then the races start up and life just feels good. Flowing into the Iceman prep season is my favorite time of the year, because I start to ride 5-6 times a week and I really see lots of progress compared to last season. 

Fall season means putting away the road and gravel bikes and only riding in the woods, because there is so much to find out in the wilderness compared to the roads. Fall Season means waking up earlier and riding or waiting to ride later at night to get the perfect temperature to spin in. Fall season means the races are starting back up! Iceman is right around the corner so I hope that everyone can enjoy the rest of their summer, but also get ready for the Iceman prep to start. Don’t forget to get your Iceman merch for the race season so you can be extra sendy and fast on the trails!! 

A huge thank you to our 2024 Junior Iceman Ambassador Piper Shumar @pipershumar

More Than Just Miles: How Riding Bikes Can Unite and Inspire (Even When You’re Not the Fastest) 

Riding bikes has become a passion of mine over the last four years, a journey that’s helped me shed 150 pounds and gain a whole new perspective on life. It’s been an incredible ride (pun intended), and I’m always grateful for the encouragement I receive from people who’ve followed my weight loss story. It feels amazing, but as much as I appreciate the kudos for my transformation, that’s not my proudest achievement on two wheels.

Sure, setting personal records on Strava and earning the title of “local legend” are nice perks. (Hi, my name is Casey, and I’m a Strava star 😆). But what truly fuels my passion for biking is something far more meaningful: bringing people together through the sport, especially my family.

Take my nephew, for example. Last year, he watched me complete a race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and, inspired, decided he wanted to try it himself when he visited from Florida this July. Being the awesome uncle that I am, I immediately hit the gear store and sent him a box full of mountain biking swag, hoping it would motivate him to train.

And it worked! He started riding a little at a time, upgrading his bike, and even braving the Florida heat. Before I knew it, I was getting regular updates about his rides—sometimes just 6 to 10 miles at a time, but progress nonetheless. When race day finally arrived, we were both buzzing with pre-race jitters. For him, the challenge was the physical and mental endurance; for me, it was making sure his nutrition was dialed in and our gear was ready to go.

Of course, nothing ever goes perfectly. My GPS decided to take a vacation just as the race started, leaving us standing there like rookies while everyone else sped off. After about 10 minutes of troubleshooting (and a lifeline call to my infamous buddy Doug), we finally got things sorted out. I looked at my nephew, gave him a quick pep talk about adapting and overcoming, and off we went.

I was blown away by how well he was riding. When I asked if he just wanted to cruise or if we should try to catch up to the pack, he chose the latter. So, I gave him a crash course in drafting—ride my rear tire, no room for ego, and communicate if you’re gassed. Slowly but surely, we started picking off riders, one by one. With each rider we passed, his confidence grew.

Now, he did hit a few bumps along the way—like learning the hard way what pickle juice can do for your body (spoiler: he hates pickles). But after 8 miles of sand and a grand total of 54 miles (his longest ride ever by over 30 miles), we crossed the finish line. The look of confidence on his face was priceless—a reminder of why I love this sport so much.

When you’re out there racing, you go through a rollercoaster of emotions, especially when you’re breaking new boundaries. We ended up finishing 33rd and 34th out of 127 riders, and get this—he beat me by one second.

Here’s the thing: I’m definitely not the fastest rider out there, but if I can inspire someone to push themselves, to become a better version of themselves, then I’ll keep riding and encouraging others to do the same.

The moral of the story? Even when life gets tough, you never know who might be watching, learning, and looking up to you. Make sure you make a difference and help those around you. I’m grateful for that day out in the woods with my nephew. The best part? Watching him cross the finish line first… even if it was just by one second.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Casey Smith @casey_theautoguy

Conquering the Hills of Iceman

The hills that make up Michigan single track can be described in one word: Punchy. Iceman has no shortage of these short but steep climbs, and without preparation they may take you by surprise (Anitas Hill, anyone?). I’ve seen many fit riders struggle when they pick a poor line, lose too much speed or don’t shift their weight properly to maintain traction. However, there are plenty of ways to prepare for these classic Iceman climbs.

1. Practice like you play. While most of us can’t ride the course on repeat, we can do the next best thing. Look for hills in your area with similar gradient and length to the classic Iceman climbs listed below and practice riding them. A good place to search for these is the “Segment” section on Strava maps. Get an idea of how much effort you need to make it up the hill without putting a foot down. Note where you body position needs to be in order to keep traction. Practice these hills repeatedly until you know its doable and keep it in your normal rotation in order to build strength and confidence.

2. Make it more difficult. Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s so much more than just the length and gradient that makes a hill challenging. Sometimes it’s the surface type (sand, loose rock), line choice or other riders that cause that hill to feel more like a mountain. Find steep climbs with loose or soft terrain to practice keeping your back wheel from spinning out. If you are going to be climbing for any longer than a short burst, it’s best to remain sitting to even out your weight between your wheels, use your energy more efficiently and maintain balance. If the climb is very loose you may need to shift your weight back slightly to increase traction on your back wheel. If the climb is very steep and the front wheel is threatening to lift up, shift your weight slightly forward to maintain contact.

During the race, you may find yourself climbing in a pack, unable to switch into the A line. So practice picking and crushing the B lines. Not only will you build more strength and skills, but you will also find that being in a lackluster line will be less likely to mess with your head during the race.

3. Practice climbing behind a slower rider. When climbing in a pack you may also find that the rider ahead of you is a slower climber, and if you are boxed in you may be forced to climb at a speed slower than you like, with gravity threatening to pull you down. Practice this scenario. Ride as slow as you can and still make it up the hill, or better yet, let a slower rider lead.

4. Learn how to run your bike up a hill. No matter how good of a climber you are, things still happen. Everyone has times when gravity will get the best of us and we have to put a foot down. Sometimes its fastest to grab your bike and run it up the hill rather than trying to clip in and force your way up the hill.

5. Train your perspective. Hills hurt. They are supposed to hurt. Most of the notable hills in Iceman are in the last 8 miles of the race. Ice breaker is near the very end. Train for that! Practice climbing an 8% gradient for a tenth of a mile or more at the end of your ride when your legs are cooked so you are familiar with the feeling. I also highly recommend finding some long hills or doing hill repeats to know what you are capable of and to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. For instance, 2-3 weeks before an event with a lot of climbing, I will do “Tour of fire and Ice” on Zwift which features 7 miles of climbing at an average gradient of 8%. Then, every time Im climbing a long hill in a race I remind myself that I can climb for over an hour and suddenly whatever I’m climbing doesn’t seem so bad.

The 2024 course is not released yet but here are some of the hills featured in the course the last 2 years.

Punchy:

Anitas Hill 0.08 mi 10.7% Woodchip Hill 0.05 8.6% Ice Breaker 0.07 8.4%

The Boonenberg 0.18 7.1%

 Moderate length/grade:

Chadilacs Beard Zone 0.68 3.1% VASA CC Climb Ice Crusher 0.68 3.6%

Long Climb

Climb Iceman Climb 1.81 miles 1.8%

I hope this helps you feel more confident as the race approaches. Now go crush some hills!!

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Meg Hagerman @hagermanm

Balancing Training with Work/Family

As amateur athletes, we’re a rare breed. Not only do we have to conquer the physical challenges of training and racing, but we have to do it all while balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities, social lives, and all the other commitments that come with being a working adult in today’s world.

Finding the time to consistently train at a high level while juggling work, kids, relationships, and everything else on your plate is arguably the toughest part for me. The dedication and sacrifice required can lead even the most motivated among us to burn out, lose motivation, or throw in the towel completely.

With some creative strategies and commitment, you can absolutely slay this work-life-training balancing act. The rewards of enhanced fitness, better health, and ongoing athletic achievement are more than worth it. I find my days on the bike help me balance out the life stresses that come around!

Time management is everything! Sure, sacrifices will need to be made (bye aimless Netflix binging), but that’s the name of the game.

Start by blocking off dedicated workout times in your calendar like you would for work meetings or appointments. Literally schedule your training sessions and treat them as inviolable commitments to yourself. This was super helpful for me personally and I could sneak in mid-day breaks when it’s nice out!

During moments of free time, be purposeful about meal prep if that’s your thing, improve sleep habits (less screen time perhaps), and check off other day to day responsibilities. 

If you’ve only got 60-90 minutes, you can crush an intense bike intervals session or weightlifting routine to really move the needle. Short but highly focused workouts can be incredibly productive when designed properly.

Don’t overlook opportunities for stacking workouts either. Can you squeeze in a 30 minute walk or yoga during a lunch break and follow it up with an hour ride after work? Multitasking like this allows you to fit in a ton of volume.

Get your family involved and don’t view training as something that needs to be done in isolation. In fact, finding creative ways to collaborate and include family/friends can be motivating too! On top of getting in solid workouts, you’ll reap the added benefits of quality bonding time and modeling an active lifestyle for your kids. My daughter loves to rip the trails with me. Huge win-win.

Don’t forget to cut yourself some slack occasionally. At the end of the day, we’re human beings with a lot of responsibilities and unavoidable stresses. There will inevitably be periods where training has to take a back seat due to work emergencies, family obligations, illnesses, or other unpredictable challenges.

When setbacks and unavoidable schedule disruptions pop up, don’t let it derail you completely. Adapt as best you can, reset your mindset, and formulate a plan to jump back in as soon as possible. Progress rarely follows a perfectly linear path!

Most importantly, don’t beat yourself up over temporary lapses in training. That’s a surefire way to start spiraling in a negative loop of self-criticism and lose your mojo entirely. Forgive yourself and move forward with intention.

The reality is that successfully juggling training with work and family life is an ongoing process of adjustments and recalibrations. But those of us who can master this delicate balancing act while chasing our athletic dreams will come out more resilient, and more well-rounded individuals overall.

Stay focused, keep pedaling, and don’t be afraid to carve your own unique path!

About the author: Tobi is a passionate mountain biker and ultra endurance gravel cyclist who thrives on pushing his limits in the great outdoors. He has a deep appreciation for nature, savoring the scenic views and challenges of unpaved singletrack trails and long gravel routes. Tobi’s passion for adventure drives him to constantly seek out new ultra endurance gravel races and mountain bike events that take him on new dirt roads. He has participated in the Iceman Cometh Challenge for over a decade. When not hitting the trails or grinding away the miles on gravel, Tobi enjoys camping trips with his family. He is also actively involved with the West Michigan Coyotes youth mountain bike team, where he coaches and rides alongside his daughter, fostering her love for the sport. The solitude of the trails and the invigoration of conquering an ultra-endurance race is what fuels his obsession with mountain biking and gravel cycling.

The Great Two Wheeled Escape

Have you ever done an escape room? They’re actually quite fun! I tend to be a high anxiety person so I 100% thought I would HATE partaking in an escape room. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite! The cool thing about escape rooms is that there is a clear cut way to success – you do all the right things, you get the result you want – you escape. Some pretty good news, even if you don’t succeed, is that odds are pretty high there’s a bar in the same building as your escape room ready to serve you a cold one while you laugh off the failure. Time is up and the game keeper kindly just comes over the intercom to say you’re done and graciously comes to let you out of the little room you couldn’t figure out.

Wouldn’t it be cool if life were like an escape room? Think about it! There is one, YES ONLY ONE, correct path and you follow that to a T and guess what happens? You succeed!! And hey, maybe you don’t succeed; maybe you had a bad day at work or didn’t meet your monthly quota? Good news, your boss comes over the intercom to tell you time is up and graciously leads you down the hall where you’re served a cold one to laugh it off! 

Unfortunately, life is not black and white, it is not cut and dry. There is more often many roads to success and also many ways to fail. The cool thing about life is that we are blessed with many ways to mend our tribulations, many ways to find our own little escape. Mine you ask? Biking of course! I think I love biking so much because it is a relatively controllable sport. Yeah, yeah I know you can’t control the weather or if your kids kept you up all night, but in general, you’re in control of your path to success. You control how often you saddle up, the meals you fuel your body with, the self-talk while climbing icebreaker hill – the controllables help ease my high anxiety mind. Just like that escape room, you are in control. So, take it. 

 Me at my first race back at 3 months postpartum: Barry Roubaix

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Allyson Klug @allysonklug

Gear Acquisition Syndrome: Why You Shouldn’t Stress About Having the Latest Cycling Gadgets 

Look, we all get GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). You’d be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t. We see a new bike and wish we could afford it. We eye a new drivetrain and dream of how much better it would make our ride. The truth is, most of us aren’t pros. Will it help us in some way? Maybe. But do we really need it? Probably not. 

What I’ve found over the years with any hobby is that there will always be new gear we want. And that’s okay. What you need to keep in mind is why you want it. Will it really make a difference? It depends. 

When it comes down to it, you really need to understand and know what you’re riding, inside and out. You’d be amazed at how much more that makes a difference than adding some new part. 

In the world of cycling, we are bombarded with marketing left and right. It’s designed to make us want the next best thing. We have to stop and remember this. Just like when listening to your body while fueling, you need to listen and feel your bike and components. Understand what they are doing and whether you’re pushing them to their limits. 

We all feel the peer pressure when people say, “Wow, I wouldn’t do it on that bike,” or “XYZ groupset is better for your bike.” We have to remember that these people are not us. They don’t ride like you do, and they don’t know your setup like you do. Just shake it off and know that until you break something or really notice that it’s not giving you the feedback you’re expecting, then maybe it might be worth getting something new or different. 

So again, we all get GAS, but we have to not let it control us. Use it as a guide, not a rule. Happy riding!

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Gerald Gaecke @g_dub83_

Taking time to slow down and relax

During the summer many riders can get caught up in their freetime and only want to bike, which isn’t a bad thing, but taking time to relax and enjoy your summer is also important.

Being outside and letting your legs relax is a good thing to do over the summer. Even if you are going on slower rides or not riding at all, taking a break is good for us! As someone who bikes 24/7 and doesn’t catch a break I look forward to the summer, because that is when I can just go out and mess around with my friends, maybe even find new trails. 

Also being able to take a break from biking all the time, or getting ready for a race can open up new opportunities for other hobbies. Finding other things to do outside of biking can be very healthy for our minds. Opening up your horizons to new locations, activities, or groups builds a healthy mindset. 

Not many people realize that you can still bike places and not drive, and yes it can take longer, but being able to slow down and soak up the sun around you! Riding places can help you to calm down and not worry about pace or anything! 

Also taking a free ride once a week, no strava, no garmin/wahoo, no recording the ride. Doing this can help to free your mind from getting caught up in the KOM’s and local legends. 

Personally, I take the summer to relax and just train for fun! So, spend your summer relaxing and enjoying yourself. Always have fun and don’t overdo it during the offseason!!!

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

Get Your Steed Dialed for Iceman!

We can spend all the time in the world building up an incredibly tough and fit human engine. But if your bike isn’t equally prepped and ready to take on the rugged, rooty Iceman course, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle out there.

Having your steed perfectly dialed with a comfortable, efficient fit and fresh components can make all the difference in your performance and experience. A neglected bike will beat you up, waste your energy, and potentially leave you sidelined with mechanicals.

Have you ever had a professional bike fit? Even if you’ve been ripping trails for years, it’s a wise move to get a check in occasionally as our bodies change. Small adjustments in saddle height, fore-aft position and cleat positioning can have a big impact.

Oiled your chain and checked the stretch lately? Tune-up and maintenance should be focused on frequently but if not, it’s time to give your bike some love with a thorough tune-up. Don’t be that person scrambling to true a wheel or bleed brakes days before!

At minimum, you’ll want to check your chain, cassette, chainring(s), cables, housing, and brake pads. You should consider replacing anything that shows significant wear.vA fresh suspension service couldn’t hurt either. Support your local bike shop when you can!

You want every single component and mechanism working flawlessly without the slightest hint of hesitation, stiffness, or binding. The last thing you need is some nagging creak (these are very annoying!), missed shift, or brake rub ruining your race day flow. A dialed and quiet bike equals more energy to devote to pushing hard.

Make sure you have a comfy saddle and grips that can go the distance without causing hotspots. Inspect the seams and chamois of your riding shorts or bibs. And break in those trail kicks if you plan to rock flat pedals.

You’ll also want to dial in what kind of hydration system suits you best for rapid refueling on course without having to unhitch your pack. I prefer bottles on my frame but many use hydration packs or even bar mounted bags for fluids. Also, if you want easy access to snacks (who doesn’t like snacks!?), consider figuring out what works best for you. It could be in your back pocket or a top tube mounted bag, either way its personal preference for this.

Don’t forget to practice managing your cold weather layers. Iceman is infamous for drastic temperature swings and maybe even mud (long live Mudman of 2014 and 2019!), so you’ll need to master the art of venting or sealing off as needed to stay dry yet breathable.

With so many miles of training ahead and such a demanding course to conquer, the last thing you want is nagging discomforts or mechanicals related to your steed or kit selections. Get dialed now and focus on the miles!

About the author: Tobi is a passionate mountain biker and ultra endurance gravel cyclist who thrives on pushing his limits in the great outdoors. He has a deep appreciation for nature, savoring the scenic views and challenges of unpaved singletrack trails and long gravel routes. Tobi’s passion for adventure drives him to constantly seek out new ultra endurance gravel races and mountain bike events that take him on new dirt roads. He has participated in the Iceman Cometh Challenge for over a decade. When not hitting the trails or grinding away the miles on gravel, Tobi enjoys camping trips with his family. He is also actively involved with the West Michigan Coyotes youth mountain bike team, where he coaches and rides alongside his daughter, fostering her love for the sport. The solitude of the trails and the invigoration of conquering an ultra endurance race is what fuels his obsession with mountain biking and gravel cycling.

Embracing the Challenge of Fat Biking Year-Round

When I first started mountain biking, I wasn’t sure how often I was going to do it. As I started seeing the dividends of my health improving, I knew I had to keep this momentum.  Living in Michigan where the seasons can be made up and never consistent. A traditional mountain bike just wasn’t going to cut it. My riding buddy Doug rode a fat tire and talked about the many benefits and he wasn’t the only one. After much consideration, I purchased a Salsa Mukluk and little did I know that this decision would lead me down a path of unique challenges and unparalleled enjoyment that I now can’t imagine riding without.

The Effort it Takes

Riding a fat tire bike is no easy feat. With wider tires comes greater resistance, making every pedal stroke more laborious than on a standard mountain bike. This increased effort translates to a more intense workout, burning more calories and pushing my physical limits further. (When you are limited on riding time, to me this is important.) The resistance isn’t just a winter phenomenon; riding a fat tire bike in the summer presents its own set of challenges, from tackling loose sand to navigating muddy trails. Each ride demands more from me, both physically and mentally, but it also makes every accomplishment that much sweeter.

Versatility of the Fat Tire Bike

One of the greatest advantages of a fat tire bike is its versatility. These bikes are designed to handle a wide range of conditions, from snow and ice to sand and mud. Their wide tires provide superior traction and stability, reducing the likelihood of washing out the front tire. This makes them ideal for navigating tricky corners and tackling unpredictable terrain. Whether I’m riding through a snowy forest in winter or hitting the sandy trails in the heat of summer, my fat tire bike is always up to the task.

The Speed Factor

There’s a common misconception that fat tire bikes are slow. While it’s true that they require more effort to pedal, I’ve found that riding a fat bike has made me a stronger, faster rider overall. If you can be fast on a fat bike, you can be fast on anything. The added resistance and effort required to ride a fat bike build strength and endurance that translate to improved performance on any bike. Plus, the skills and confidence gained from handling a fat tire bike in challenging conditions make riding a traditional mountain bike feel like a breeze.

A Unique Breed of Rider

There’s a common misconception that fat tire bikes are slow. While it’s true that they require more effort to pedal, I’ve found that riding a fat bike has made me a stronger, faster rider overall. If you can be fast on a fat bike, you can be fast on anything. The added resistance and effort required to ride a fat bike build strength and endurance that translate to improved performance on any bike. Plus, the skills and confidence gained from handling a fat tire bike in challenging conditions make riding a traditional mountain bike feel like a breeze.

The Fun Factor

Beyond the physical and technical benefits, riding a fat tire bike is just plain fun. There’s something exhilarating about the stability and control these bikes offer. I love getting “air time” with my fat bike, feeling the thrill of catching some air and landing smoothly. The sense of freedom and adventure I experience on my fat tire bike is unmatched.

My journey with fat biking has been nothing short of transformative. It started as a way to ride year-round but quickly became a passion that drives me to push my limits and embrace new challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a newcomer to mountain biking, I encourage you to give fat biking a try. You might just discover a whole new world of riding that’s as rewarding as it is demanding. FATTY NATION BABY!!!

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Casey Smith @casey_theautoguy

Detraining to retraining

In the sport of cycling consistency is key however, we all experience periods of detraining. Sometimes it’s by choice, such as at the end of the season or after a big race, but sometimes work, illness, vacations or other responsibilities take us off the bike despite out best efforts. This spring, I experienced my longest period of unintentional detraining since I started riding bikes consistently in 2022. It began with a couple of back-to-back colds in March, followed by two GI bugs in April. During that time, my daughter also fell ill with the same GI bug resulting in dehydration. She also dealt with an ear infection and a separate episode of fever of unknown origin, which led to a trip to the ER and a pneumonia diagnosis. My husband also got hit with the dreaded stomach bug and missed Barry- Roubaix! All that to say, that for six weeks, there was very little cycling going on in the Hagerman household. Then, when everyone was finally on the mend, it was time for a planned vacation to Europe. Now, I’m not complaining about that. I’m just saying it was another two weeks off the bike. Unless you count a very wild e-bike ride through the streets of Portugal!

So, for the last four weeks I have been crawling my way out of the misery that is unintentional detraining. This is what I’ve learned:

1. Being detrained is tough. Its so demoralizing to struggle on trails, group rides or a hill climbs that you used to crush. I know it sounds lame but you have to give yourself grace. Don’t expect to be right back to where you were before detraining. It feels terrible now, but it WILL feel better; it just takes time.

2. Start small and build. For me, this looked like what I would consider moderate-length rides at slow speeds. I used this time to really focus on skills such as cornering and body bike separation. Focusing on correct body placements and mechanics gave me something else to think about other than my elevated rate of perceived exertion.

3. Ride with friends. Being able to socialize while riding made those miserable miles so much more fun. Eventually when I was ready to push the pace, I reached out to riders who I knew were faster than me and would inspire me to ride harder.

4. Mix it up! Hitting unfamiliar trails and routes allowed me to let go of those expectations I had for myself on trails I knew well. I wasn’t concerned about my PR on this hill or that trail because it was all new to me. I would just let myself think,” maybe everyone feels terrible on that climb” and let it go.

5. Celebrate the little things. It took about two weeks of consistently riding to feel that mountain bike flow again, three weeks to start doing longer rides and four weeks to feel strong on climbs again. Every time I realized I had made some improvement I made sure to recognize it and be proud of myself.

I’m still not where I would like to be this far into the season. My last two races didn’t feel the way I wanted them to, and I still have moments where I’m frustrated with myself and my progress. That being said, there are frequent moments that inspire me to keep pushing forward. Just the other day, I was riding a gravel route that I ride all the time near my house. As I pedaled slowly up a particularly steep hill two ladies on bikes came flying over the top from the other direction, huge grins on their faces as they used that momentum to bomb the rugged downhill. Like me, they had to climb a steep long hill to get to the top. Unlike me, they were crushing it and now had a ton of speed and were going to have one hell of a downhill. I couldn’t help but smile and let out a whoop. I know how hard it is to get that much speed going up that hill because that’s how I used to ride it at the end of last year. It was the look of pure joy on their faces that gave me the encouragement I needed to push up that hill and finish the ride. I know that if I can keep moving forward and keep showing up, I can get back that feeling of sailing over the hill.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Meg Hagerman @hagermanm