Iceman Start
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Starting LineThe 2009 start line in downtown Kalkaska proved to be a big hit with riders and spectators alike! Riders loved the new mile of pavement as it allowed everybody to spread out and find their rhythm before hitting the dirt. The Kalkaska start venue also provided more room for spectators to mill around and check out the exhibits, listen to local music, maybe buy a little maple syrup, or have breakfast at the Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Breakfast before their friends took off. So the 2012 start line will be located in the exact same location at the corner of Walnut Street and 4th Street. Look for the starting corral on Walnut Street just west of the Municipal Parking Lot with the entrance to the corral located in the parking lot. Kalkaska Middle School ParkingPlease continue to park at the Middle School and High School parking lots and ride your bike to the start line (it’s only about 5 blocks from the schools to Walnut St). Kalkaska KPTA will be running shuttle buses to and from the start area all morning so spectators can easily get from the schools to downtown to see the start.
Spectator Start Shuttle BusesRide the Kalkaska Trolley or one of KPTA’s buses to downtown. It is a quick 3 minute trip (but would be a 10 minute walk) and you’ll be dropped off right next to the staging corrals for the start. Pick-up the shuttles at both the High School and the Middle school and head to the start area in style! Start Times and WavesEach wave will have ap prox i mate ly 80 riders (4,000 divided by 48 equals 83.3). Some may have a few more, some a few less. We will have almost 2 1/2 hours of starts! BE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH WAVE YOU ARE IN!!! Check the rider confirmation system for your start wave assignment beginning October 29th. StagingPLEASE STAGE ACCORDING TO YOUR AGE CLASS & CATEGORY. It is each and every rider’s responsibility to start in the correct wave. Once the first wave has started, ONLY the next wave will move up to the starting line. Porta-johnsPorta-johns will be located at the starting venue at the Kalkaska Municipal Parking lot AND at the Kalkaska Middle School. The units will be placed along the south wall of the Middle School gymnasium so they will be easy to find and will be accessible from a number of parking locations. There will be 25 units placed at both locations with two handicapped portajohns added to the mix at the start. |
PLEASE! No parking on Walnut Street or Division Street as they are "on the race course."An Open Invitation to the Start Party in the Village of Kalkaska
Every race has two distinct and very important phases; the start and the finish. In the case of the Bell’s Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge, the finish of the race is at Timber Ridge near Traverse City and the start of the race is about 20 miles away in the Village of Kalkaska. In fact most of the participants and spectators will have already passed through Kalkaska on their way to the Grand Traverse Area.
The Village of Kalkaska in the County of Kalkaska is the “gateway and part of” the Grand Traverse Area. Over half of Kalkaska County is within the Pere Marquette State Forest and its recreational lakes, rivers and streams. During spring, summer and fall, the Pere Marquette State Forest supplies miles of mountain bike, hiking, motorized vehicle and horse trails full of the enchantment and color that only deep for- ests can provide. Winter snows open the Pere Marquette State Forest to snowmobile trails that seemingly go on forever. The Kalkaska area is truly a natural wonder of Michigan.
Once again, the Village of Kalkaska has a vibrant atmosphere being cooked up for the starting line in downtown Kalkaska. There will be refreshments, your favorite coffee, entertainment and much more. The Village of Kalkaska would like to welcome to all Icemen race participants, their families, and friends. Make yourself at home!
Everyone knows there's nothing like the smell of pancakes, eggs, sausage and coffee to get you going in the morning. And again this year, it will all be waiting for you within 100 feet from the start line. Be sure to pay a visit to the 2nd Annual Iceman Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast located inside the old village office building (your race packets will be handed out in the same building). The Kalkaska Kiwanis Club's primary service projects are to support children and community. All the proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will help fund their efforts on these projects. The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is open to cyclists, supporters of the cyclists and our very own Kalkaska citizens and offers a great chance to meet some of the athletes!
The Village of Kalkaska is also excited to welcome the folks at Mighty Fine Coffee, who will be setting up a coffee tent at the Iceman start. Make sure you stop by and get yourself a warm drink to carry you through the morning, whether you're waiting for your race to start, or waiting to cheer on your loved one.
There will be more information in your packets about all of the activities in Kalkaska! Prior to the race, you can find out all about the festivities on the Village of Kalkaska website, www.kalkaskavillage.com Welcome to our community!