Tag: Waves

33 in 22

Join us for the 33rd edition of the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge presented by TREK in 2022 on Saturday, November 5. Registration for riders that were registered in 2021 will open Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 9:00am MIDNIGHT (watch for a link in your inbox closer to March 1) and open to everyone starting Friday, March 4, 2022 at 9:00am.  

New Wave Placement System!  

You spoke and we listened. After spending the last few months researching other large races (such as the American Birkenbeiner) and how they place waves; we have a new system for the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  You can choose any wave that you qualify for and waves will be filled on a first registered first placed basis. Register early. Keep reading to learn how to qualify, what times you need to ride in which waves and quick FAQ to help with any questions out of the gate.  

How to qualify: 

Pull your results from the last 5 races (2021,2019-2016). Choose the best three and average them together. This average is your qualifying time.  Be sure to hold on to all of this data as you will be asked for it during the registration process. And to save time during the registration process, please determine your best times and average before you log in to register. You can find your results here.  

What times standards for each wave:  

Below are the qualifying time standards for each wave. Please note that whichever wave you qualify for, you can also request any wave after that. For example, if you qualify for wave 10, you also qualify for waves 11-48.   

Wave Place Wave Time Requirements   
Wave 1 Faster than 1:51:38   
Wave 2 Faster than 1:55:31   
Wave 3 Faster than 1:58:44   
Wave 4 Faster than 2:01:50   
Wave 5 Faster than 2:04:25   
Wave 6 Faster than 2:06:49   
Wave 7 Faster than 2:09:01   
Wave 8 Faster than 2:11:13   
Wave 9 Faster than 2:13:14   
Wave 10 Faster than 2:15:15   
Wave 11 Faster than 2:17:10   
Wave 12 Faster than 2:19:03   
Wave 13 Faster than 2:20:59   
Wave 14 Faster than 2:22:46   
Wave 15 Faster than 2:24:57   
Wave 16 Faster than 2:26:56   
Wave 17 Faster than 2:29:03   
Wave 18 Faster than 2:31:13   
Wave 19 Faster than 2:33:16   
Wave 20 Faster than 2:35:19   
Wave 21 Faster than 2:37:32   
Wave 22 Faster than 2:39:45   
Wave 23 Faster than 2:41:57   
Wave 24 Faster than 2:44:09   
Wave 25 Faster than 2:47:36   
Wave 26 Faster than 2:51:03   
Wave 27 Faster than 2:53:51   
Wave 28 Faster than 2:56:42   
Wave 29 Faster than 2:59:47 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 30 Faster than 3:03:12 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 31 Faster than 3:06:52 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 32 Faster than 3:10:46 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 33 Faster than 3:15:24 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 34 Faster than 3:20:03 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 35 Faster than 3:25:34 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 36 Faster than 3:33:43 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 37 Faster than 3:44:34 Or First Time Rider 
Wave 38 3:44:35 Or Slower Or First Time Rider 
Wave 39 First Time Rider     
Wave 40 First Time Rider     
Wave 41 First Time Rider     
Wave 42 First Time Rider     
Wave 43 First Time Rider     
Wave 44 First Time Rider     
Wave 45 First Time Rider     
Wave 46 First Time Rider     
Wave 47 First Time Rider     
Wave 48 First Time Rider     

FAQ – Wave Placement  

What happens if I qualify for a wave and its full?  

First, we are going to do our best to update waves as quickly as possible so we can communicate which waves are still open.  However, it is manual process so it may take us a few days to verify times and place you in your correct wave. If the wave you qualified for and wanted is full, you will be automatically placed in the next available wave.  

What if I only have one or two races completed out of the last five years?  

Please average the times you do have from 2017-2019 & 2021 and use this number as your qualifying time.  

I’d like to ride with my significant other, best friend, aunt, 3rd cousin twice removed, etc. Can we do that?  

Yes, you can all apply for the same wave as long as you all qualify for that wave. In other words, base your wave request off of the person with the slowest times in your group.  

I am a first-time rider. Any advice?  

Spots are available in wave 29 and back for first time riders.  Please choose the wave you’d like to be in. If you feel that you should be placed in a faster wave. You will have an opportunity to reach out in the late summer/early fall to request a placement change. This will occur after the transfer out/transfer in period has concluded.  

My son/daughter is riding in Iceman Junior, can I ride with them?  

While Bell’s Iceman Cometh, Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge Pro Race, and Iceman Junior may all follow the same course; they are separate races. Your child should be comfortable with the 30 mile course before taking to the race. If you or your child is not comfortable with the race course, we can easily transfer them to the Meijer Slush Cup.   

We are here to answer your questions. If there is something you think would be valuable for us to share please comment on the blog or email icemaninfo@iceman.com and we will get your questions answered.  You’ll also be able to find this information at www.iceman.com/waves .

IMPORTANT WAVE ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

***Update from the office: This was an April Fool’s Joke posted on 4-1-2021**

We have received a lot of emails from eager racers since we opened registration on March 5. While many have covered topics ranging from shuttles to Expo vendors and even the start location, one word is by far the most common: waves. We’re happy to unveil the 2021 Wave Assignment system! 

This has been a challenge for years and something we tinker with meticulously all year long. We know just how much wave assignments influence not just your competitiveness, but also your race day experience, and we value that. Over the past three decades, you’ve voiced your opinions, and we hear you. 

That’s why we are really excited about taking your feedback and creating the perfect wave assignment system. The idea really struck during last fall’s Virtual SRAM Ice Cycle Expo, which hundreds of you joined in on Zoom or on Facebook Live. We used a prize spinner to pick the winners of free entries, jerseys, even Cody’s beloved Trek Top Fuel! So we thought; people love the Prize Spinner; why not make it a Wave Spinner?

So, using technology pioneered by our friends at Saris, we unveil to you the Saris Wave Spinner! Instead of 55 waves in total, we’ve broken out 4500 racers into 100 waves chosen totally at random. Spin the wheel, get your wave assignment; what could be simpler?

“We’re really eager to see how this new format shakes up the race for everyone; and we mean everyone, because the Pros will also be assigned waves this way. Who doesn’t want to Geoff Kabush lining up next to a tandem? Of course we want to see Chloe Woodruff bumping bars with a twelve year old; we just don’t see any way this could possibly go wrong, “ commented Race Director Cody Sovis. 

There are actually 101 spots on the spinner, with the extra space designated “Tailgunner”. This wave will get a unique perk, though. In their registration packets, they’ll receive a handlebar-mounted clicker to tally all the people they pass from the waves ahead of them. The rider with the most overtakes at the end of the race will win a 2021 Subaru Outback! With just a big prize, we expect the last rider on this wave to finish in under 90 minutes, though there’s a fair chance they’ll leave a wave of destruction in their path. 

As you might have guessed, the change wasn’t an easy one to make. “This is a terrible idea and I want everyone to know it was Cody’s idea,” commented Steve “Iceman” Brown. He’ll be making his Iceman debut this year, but with that attitude, we might be tempted to stop the spinner somewhere in the high 40s for him. 

We hope you’re as excited about the Wave Spinner as we are! Until November 6, we hope you’re healthy, happy, and training…and lucky when it’s your turn to spin.