Tag: traversecity

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

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