The 2026 Course
If you are reading this you are likely wondering what we did about the traffic back-ups at Gussied Up last year, so we are starting with that. For 2026, Gussie gets a makeover and you know what they say – the best makeovers are the ones that no one notices anything specific. It’s just better. This year when you ride that section you won’t notice the fix. Not saying there won’t be a rider ahead of you or even a pack of riders but we are saying your feet should not be resting on the ground waiting your turn. Skepticism is welcome, but we are optimistic.
For the rest of the course the goal was to shorten it to closer to the 30-mile target distance. Last year the total course length was close to 34 miles. This year it hits 31 miles on the nose. We should see many more participants hit the coveted 2-hour mark, but more importantly the sections we pulled out should not be missed because they include sand pits and unneeded detours that took riders north and south when the race is east to west. The other big change is the race returns to “right at the rock” like it has in the past. Right at the rock shortens the course but adds some elevation and the hills are two lanes to allow for passing. Don’t mistakenly believe this means there is nothing strategic after the right turn at the rock. The hills are punctuated with very short single tracks and some sharp corners that riders will need to nail to stay in the pack. A 10 second gap at mile 26 can be insurmountable. Stay focused if that is a thing for you.
With the general course philosophy out of the way, let’s break it down into the nitty gritty. The airport start is unchanged so be ready for some wind, hyperactive paceline and for the IQ reversal that happens when adrenaline overtakes the cerebral cortex. Immediately out of the airport the arrow straight and perennially sandy two track is still waiting for you. We will grade it and apply gravel to keep it as safe and fair as we can (like we always do). Right after is the first single track. We don’t need to tell you why this matters or is significant. Look for only one minor line shift in this section. The change is simply to control erosion for future Iceman events. The next change is just before Smith Lake Road. We pulled a sand pit out and removed the due north gravel sprint section of Smith Lake Road. Instead, racers will breeze straight across Smith Lake Road and resume last year’s course. Sow’s Ear is back and has been trimmed back and bermed out more. It’s still a techy single track so don’t forget to bring some bike skills. After Sow’s ear the course is the same with plenty of passing so take advantage. Don’t wait until the Dockery Road single tracks to start wanting to pass. That’s a free pro tip for 2026.
There is another change just before Dockery Road. If you are an ancient Iceman racer you remember the section called Tornado Alley. This was a north to south single track that we removed and replaced with an east to west single track that is still playful but offers a bit of passing while it helps shorten the course. After the Dockery Road crossing, the soil changes and the single-track sections begin. Still room to pass in between the single tracks but you may have to call down to the engine room to make it happen. Try to enjoy the roll as the single tracks of Water Bottle Valley are a slight percentage downhill. Be sure to give Gussie a nod as you roll by (fingers crossed).
Next up is Make It Stick. You will hear the drumbeats long before you get there if your heartrate is low enough. Despite the complete overgrowth of raspberries on both sides of the trail, Make It Stick has suffered some orv damage so be ready to shift lines right to left a little here and there. No changes after Make it Stick and the trails that follow are in nice shape. Like last year, the downhill berms of Tom’s Cabin will require some timing and grace. Tighty Whitey got some needed manicuring this year so plan on a little less head bobbing and weaving through that section. You’re welcome. The downward drive to Sand Lakes Road is unchanged including the sand pits.
Sand Lake Quiet Area is back for 2026 and is in great shape. 90% of the 2.75 miles of the Quiet Area is two track so don’t forget to execute a pass or two in between quick glances at the gorgeous cobalt blue lakes. A quick sprint up Broomhead road transitions you onto the Time Saver Two Track and the Time Sucker Single Track (like last year). What is different is the DNR will be doing some forestry in this area. Over the years the DNR has been slowly removing suppressive trees in this area to release new growth. The trees throughout this area are stunted and the DNR is working to get them growing again. This is cool but what is even cooler is how the DNR is protecting the racecourse. You will see ribbons the DNR hung to help the loggers avoid turning up the ground where they can. That is partnership in action race fans.
The Sisters are next and all three of them return another year older, wiser and better. Despite the “ORVs gone wild” in the area, the Sisters give back by creating an efficient passage around the sand, ruts and hills as efficiently as possible to prepare you for the heart pounding climb up to Williamsburg Road. Enjoy the fanfare while crossing and use it for motivation to hammer the next 2 miles (ish) to the rock. Nothing new or scary just some flat-out fast terrain so giddy up. After the rock your bike pretty much knows the way, but we added one twist. There is a short single track that will take you off the 25k ski trail and into Steve’s Stash. For the past few years, Steve’s Stash was the convoluted finish. This year, Steve paged deeper into his little black book of secrets and added a hidden two track that is nice and grassy-firm but includes a hill that is just steep enough and long enough to be a serious part of the race. Our advice? Use it if you got it and you will see why. Can’t give all the course’s secrets away but take this a big clue.
Mysteriously, you will find yourself at the top of the actual Wall, but Steve’s Stash continues the opposite direction and up two more short but stabbing hills before transitioning to the Wall Bypass. A quick rock and roll around the Wall Bypass and you end up at Boonenberg (hill). You’ve all done it before, but somehow, it never gets easier. After the Boonenberg grind you must find another gear and try not to flame out before……wait for it…..Anita Hill is back this year. Another hill that never gets easier. At least there are no washouts to report this year as Tart has done a masterful job with maintenance. After Anita the course stays the same and the most noteworthy obstacle to mention is the CC climb (counterclockwise climb for those wondering) and it too is in great shape from a trail surface maintenance perspective.
Last but not least is probably the most shocking course development of all. The course simply goes straight up Woodchip hill, turns right into Timber Ridge on the main trail (no single track), does a gentle S curve and you are finished. We think Steve hit his head this year and forgot to make the finish a tangle of trails, but we are not complaining. Let’s see what happens and we can then all wonder what Steve will do next year.
The Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association worked closely with the Cherry Festival Foundation and the greatest group of volunteers ever assembled, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, TART, all the great people of Kalkaska and numerous other organizations and individuals to make the 2026 course our best course yet. We hope you love it.