The Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge of 2019 was my first real mountain biking event. I have been to plenty of running and other road bike events so I had an idea of how the event would feel and be organized, but I had no idea of what the route would be or the best training plan should have been, but I was stoked nonetheless.
It was actually my friend Nick who recommended the race. I had just finished running the half at the Detroit Free Press event the previous October and was looking to add more biking events in the future. He had just finished hip surgery and wanted something small but challenging to be part of his recovery plan and suggested the smaller loop, the Slush Cup at the Iceman. This was a no brainer for me!
The Iceman is 30 miles and the Slush Cup only 10, but its partially the same route of the Iceman. I wasn’t really sure of what to train for so I used the description from the website as my guide. I wanted to maximize mileage and ride 5 days a week, twice a week I would ride 20 miles on gravel roads, spend Saturday at Island Lake riding the blue and yellow loops and then the remaining days working on speed riding around town. It wasn’t until August that my schedule would allow me to get this level, but I felt good from then to October and about two weeks prior to the race I cut back on this to try and get some rest.
The weather leading up to the event was just crazy. The Thursday before the race there was a huge snowstorm and when we left Friday morning, it was still snowing and several inches on the ground. All I could think of was, I didn’t train for muddy or wet conditions. I had one ride after a rainstorm at Island Lake but that was it. We had no idea what conditions we would be riding in. The snow eventually turned to rain and I think it rained all night. The morning of the race some slight sleet turning to rain but it finally stopped right before the race start.
This was the 30th anniversary so the event is very well organized. Offsite parking and shuttle to Timber Ridge Resort, the start and finish for the Slush Cup. We arrived in plenty of time but I noticed on the way to the start line, my cyclometer completely died. I would have to guess on my speed and use the trial markers to assess my progress, not an ideal way to start. I had targeted to ride an average of 14 mph and at least a couple of times I was openly wondering where I was and how much time had gone by.
The first hundred yards or so was an absolute mud bowl. I remember pushing to the edge to try and avoid the small pond of mud. I just didn’t want to get stuck or worse, fall over in that. After that, I felt the remaining course was in great shape for all the snow and rain. A lot of two track on pine needles and sand, some single track in between. In most cases other riders would let you pass freely. There were a couple of hills that really slowed me down due to the grade and the hole in my training plan. I had to jump off and walk up a couple so I know that really impacted my time.
In the end, I felt good about my time and effort and now have a better idea about how to train for it this year. I dropped my bike at the corral and waited for Nick to finish. Once he caught his breath we immediately made our way over for our drink coins, souvenir rubber cups and made a beeline to the taps! We drank our beer watching the first finishers from the 30-mile loop before deciding to head back to the hotel for a hot shower. Washed off our bikes and got in line for the shuttle. After cleaning up, spent the rest of the evening in Traverse City and all the local microbrews!
Can’t wait for 2021 ride!
