Month: October 2017

Welcome out 2017 Pro Men!

Welcome our 2017 Pro Men!

It’s another great year of the men’s best mountain bikers, coming to race for the title of Champion of the 2017 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  Everyone’s a contender and it’s going to be amazing to watch.  Don’t miss it.  Check out the full sortable list of racers.

Howard Grotts

Howard, 24, the winner of the 2016 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge, is back to keep his title. He was first in the Leadville 100 this year, won his third consecutive cross country mountain bike national championship, and won the Breck Epic. He’s going to be tough to beat.  He races for Specialized and for the 2017 Ice Trophy.  @HowardGrotts

Brian Matter

Brian, 37, finished 2nd in 2016.  After his win in 2014, Brian holds the record for the most wins at 4!  Will 2017 make it a 5th?  We can’t wait to find out.  Brian is sponsored by Trek / Bontrager / Shimano / Pro Gold / JTree / Rock Shox.  He also rocks the Bell’s After Party.  Don’t miss it.  Find him at b-matter.com/ and on Twitter  @TheWiscoDisco

Carl Decker

Carl, 42 racing for Giant took us all by surprise and worked hard for 3rd in 2016.  He won the 2017 Lost and Found gravel race, and we can’t wait to see if he can win the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. A Native Oregonian, according to Carl the worst place on earth is “On a TT bike”.  @deckerator

 Todd Wells

Todd Wells, 41, of Durango, Co., races for SRAM/Troy Lee Designs, and has announced his retirement.  We’re not sure if this is his last race, but we are sure glad we get to see him crush it on our course. When asked about retirement he said, “…I’m looking forward to being more present and taking the time to enjoy the ride. And eating more cookies.” We’ve got cookies at the finish for you Todd.   @yotwells 

Ben Sonntag

Ben, 37, from Durango, Co finished 5th in the 2016 Bell’s Iceman.  He rides for 9niner bikes/ Team Clif Bar Cycling.  Ben got 4th in the Grand Junction Off-Road and 4th at the Iron House Bicycle Classic. We heard he had a bad crash in August, so we’re glad he’s come to race! @ZeGermanCyclist

Payson McElveen

Payson, 24, of Durango, Co. races for Orange Seal Cycling.  He’s had some big races this year including Marathon National Champion for 2017 and 3rd at the  Leadville 100.  He finished 6th last year but we think he’s got more in him than that.  @PaysonMcElveen

Stephen Ettinger

Stephen, 28, finished 7th in 2016.  He is also a member of Team USA.  He comes from Bellingham, WA and finished second at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships this year right behind Howard Grotts. We’ll see if that order changes on Saturday. @settinger_

Russell Finsterwald

Finsty, 26, comes from Boulder, Colorado and races for SRAM | Troy Lee Designs Race Team.   Russell has had some close battles this year with fellow pro racers but it’s his history with Iceman that could be the winning combination Saturday.  He’s been racing Iceman since the time when he’d try to get a fake i.d. to get into the After Party and now he needs to pass it to Christopher Blevins.  @finsty  http://finsterwald.bike

Troy Wells

Troy, 33, was our 2015 Pro Men’s winner.  Hailing from Durango, Co., and races for Team Clif Bar Cycling. He’s know for eating a ridiculous amount of food, including a burrito the size of a large house cat.  Whatever works but we know Troy is fast, and we’ll see if they Ice Trophy will be his on Saturday. @tdub255

Geoff Kabush

Kabush, 40,  was the winner in 2013, 2nd at 2014’s “Mudman” and 3rd in 2015. The three time Canadian Olympian currently rides for Scott Cycles and recently won the Trans-Cascadia and the Downieville Classic, so our Northern Michigan trails should be easy for him. Kabush (k-Boom) has been racing in Canada since he was 15 and is a 13 time Canadian National Champion.  @GeoffKabush

Travis (TJ) Woodruff

TJ , 34, races for his own coaching company Momentum Endurance, and Pivot Cycles, his best finish is 7th.  His aspirations are to “Help athletes reach their best.”  We can’t wait to see his best on Saturday! @tjwoodruff

Cole House

Cole, 29, is the 2107 National Fat Bike Champion.  He hails from Oneida, WI.   According to Peleton Magazine, “House’s mother had given him the Indian name Tekastoslunti, which roughly translates as “floating feather.””  We’ve witnesses that.  He took last year off but we’re glad he’s back!   @Cole_House

Isaac Neff

Isacc, 31, rides for Neff Cycle Service.  His best finish was 6th in the infamous 2014 Mudman, so if the rainy/snowy weather continues, he might be in his element. He’s also the first  two-title winner taking the 2017 Singlespeed Cyclocross National Championship.  The man’s got grit. @neff_Isaac

Adam Morka

Adam, 31, is both a racer himself and coach to Emily Batty.  Emily isn’t racing this year but we’re excited to see Adam jam on our trails.  He’s finished just outside the top ten in the past. @adammorka

Scott Quiring

After taking a few years off, Scott Quiring is back!  Scott is a 3 x Bell’s Iceman winner from the late 90’s. He has his own bicycle company, did some grueling races this summer (Leadville, Marji Gesick, and more) and is ready for the start line. @QuiringCyclesLlc

Please welcome a Bell’s Iceman newbie:

Christopher Blevins

Christopher, 19, races for Axeon Hagens Berman.  He’s our youngest pro but don’t underestimate him. Welcome Christopher! @chrisblevs

Don’t forget our top local racers who know the course and plan on giving the pro’s a run for their money: 

Jorden Wakeley

Jorden is racing for M22 and Suttons Bay Bikes. He’s expanded his types of racing this year, he’s suffered and he’s got the whole crowd cheering for him.  He’s also the 2015 Arrowhead Ultra winner so you know the worse the weather, the stronger he is. @JordenWakeley

Alex Vanias 

Alex, (Team OAM Now), placed 11th last year.  He finished 8th at Peak 2 Peak, but we’re pretty sure that was just a warm-up for Saturday.

Jeff Owens

Jeff will be racing for Keen Technical.  2016 was his first time racing Pro for Iceman.  He learned a lot from the experience and we’re going to see that put into action Saturday.

Sean Kickbush 

Sean, (M22 racing) was a late registrant this year.  Maybe he was trying to throw off the competition but we know he’s got an strong engine and is ready for Saturday. @skickbush

Cody Sovis,

Cody (Norte), has the impressive rank of 1st for Pro/Cat1 racers on Ice Society for October.  He has dedication, time in the saddle and this race is in his backyard. Trifecta.  Kolotc.wordpress.com

It doesn’t gets much better.

Welcome our 2017 Pro Women!

Welcome our 2017 Pro Women!

The Pro Women’s race is going to be a great one!  With Chloe Woodruff defending her title and going for a 3rd win, she has a strong list of competitors trying to take the top step away.  This is going to be good folks!

Check out the full sortable list of racers.

Chloe Woodruff:  Reigning champ for 2 years, Chloe is returning to again defend her title!   She races for  Team Stan’s NoTubes – PIVOT and TEAM USA. She’s not going to give up her top step without a serious fight. Find her at http://www.chloewoodruff.com/ or on twitter @chloewoodruff 

Kaitlyn Patterson: 

After a show of pure perseverance and grit, Kaitlyn took 2nd last year. She moved to Ann Arbor and is hitting the medical books but after last year, she will not be underestimated or overlooked at the start line.

Amy Beisel:

Amy finally got her podium spot last year with 3rd and we sure she’s gunning for that Ice Trophy this year.   She races Procycling/Kenda. She credits her brother, also a pro cyclist, with encouraging her to buy her first mountain bike.  Amy is also the 2016 Fat Bike World Champion, she’ll be ready if it starts to snow.  You can find her on Ice Society and www.amybeisel.com/. 

Erin Huck:

Erin is coming from Boulder, Co. and is the 2016 US National XC & STXC Champion.  Erin finished 4th in 2015 and 5th in 2016, and knows what she needs to do to get the Ice Trophy!  She rides for Cannondale-3Rox. Contact her on Ice Society, http://erinhuck.com  or twitter @EEHuck. 

Katerina Nash:

Katerina was born in the Czech Republic but now lives in Truckee, CA.  She finished 3rd in the 2015 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. She’s a Five-Time Olympian, 6X UCI World Cup Cyclocross winner & 7 broken ribs in one race, and maybe Saturday we’ll add Bell’s Iceman Cometh Champion!  Katerina is a member of Clif Pro Cycling Team.  Tweet her @KaterinaNash  or  find her on Ice Society. 

Leia Schneeberger

Leia was the 2017 Women’s Champion of  45NRTH Fat Bike Birkie Race. She is also the overall Champion for the second year in a row in the Wisconsin Off Road Series, placed 3rd at Ore2Shore and 1st in the Copper Harbor Festival.  She races for Broken Spoke Racing and Funkier Bike and placed 9th at last years race.

Please welcome and watch for these Bell’s Iceman Newbies:

Rose Grant, from Kalispell, Montana  racing for Stan’s-PIVOT Pro Team has some impressive 2017 wins. https://rose-grant.com)

Karen Jarchow racing for Team Topeak-Ergon was 2016 National Ultra Endurance  Marathon Champion and 2017 Fat Bike World Champion. @KarenJarchow

Also in the mix are our local Michigan Favorites:

Katie Clayton, finished 6th in the Pro Women Peak to Peak race even after a flat tire and 2nd overall female at the MMM Gravel Grinder.  She’s coached by Bell’s Iceman Veteran Mackenzie Woodrig. Katie packs a punch and we can’t wait to see what’s she got in this strong field of women.

Susan Vigland, I know we said this last year but Susan is STILL the quintessential local sweetheart.  She’s fast. She’s smart. She’s more ready than ever.  

Bridget Widrig, after a hiatus from the mountain bike scene, Bridget is back and we can only assumer stronger than ever. 

Finally, two 2016 Bell’s Iceman Junior Women Champs are stepping into the Pro Race, Summer Gilbert and Lexxie Mapes both won their age group categories as Juniors in 2016 and are making a play for the Pro Women game in 2017!

What’s New for 2017?

What's New for 2017?

It’s going to be another great year for Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  Here’s what new this year:

Central Market Place @ Timber Ridge

We have created a “Central Market Place” for exhibitors right next to the finish line inside the BISSELL Celebration Zone on Friday from 12-6 and Saturday 9am-5pm. As an added bonus, you can purchase you’re beer tickets on Friday too! So go ride the finish, grab a Bell’s beer and shop on Friday outside. 

Water Bottle Hill Re-route

Your water bottle (and fillings) are safe for 2017 as we’ve re-routed the (in)famous decent. 

No Outside Booze:

Based on our liquor license and agreement, no outside alcohol is permitted. This year our security team will be searching bags and confiscating all outside alcohol before entering the celebration zone.

Parking:

All racers (even Slush Cup and SnoCone) and spectators must park at Rasho Rd. to access Timber Ridge with ONLY THREE exceptions:

  1. Disability/Handicap Parking 
  2. Subaru owners will still have VIP parking at Timber Ridge
  3. Paid Timber Ridge permit holders. Timber Ridge’s guests and campers have the first priority over Bell’s Beer Iceman riders. Parking at Timber Ridge will cost $25.00 pre-paid or $35.00 day of the event. The proceeds will benefit the Timber Ridge Foundation.

The FINISH Line:

It’s all new and something you won’t soon forget! But we won’t spoil it for you.  Check it out Friday either before or after the Expo!

Bell’s Beer Iceman – Racer Update #1

Bell's Beer Iceman - Racer Update #1

The 2017 Bell’s Iceman and Slush Cup officially kick off nine days from today on Friday, November 3rd! Let the madness begin.

Long-time sponsor CLIF Bar has $900 bucks burning a hole in their pocket and wants to donate it to three worthy cycling-related charities. All you have to do is nominate them. Read this for more information.

And in that same spirit of generosity, an anonymous donation means that Junior Iceman categories will be competing for $5,000 in college scholarships through Michigan Youth Cycling again this year.

A reminder that the Iceman Store closes this Sunday (10/29) at 9pm. You may have caught a sneak peak at some of the 2017 Borah Teamwear jerseys available in the Iceman Store at the Peak2Peak bike race Saturday. On another store-related note, the Headsweats coupon code is good for select items at Headsweats.com not in the Iceman Store. We’re sorry about the confusion caused for more than one shopper with that ad.

Friday, Friday at Timber Ridge Resort!!

Packet Pick up and the SRAM Ice Cycle Expo both open at 10:00 am in the Michigan Ballroom at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and run until 9:00 pm that night. Be sure to check out the newest mountain bike gear, do a little swagging, and sample a Bell’s Brewery seasonal offering all at the same time.

Friday is also a very busy day at Timber Ridge Resort as our staff prepares for the big day on Saturday, athletes are checking out the last few kilometers of the race-course, and Timber Ridge’s camping guests are arriving. We are adding to Friday’s Icemania at Timber Ridge this year with the addition of the Central Market Place. The Market Place is really an extension of the SRAM Expo; it’s just located 100 feet from the finish line. What’s an outdoor Expo without a little beer and food? Timber Ridge Resort will open up the Bell’s Beer wagon a little early this year Friday afternoon and will also have a couple of food trucks ready to serve up their specialties. Friday afternoon will also be a great opportunity to purchase beer tickets and avoid the lines on Saturday.

Mike Dega, of Velofix Detroit, will be ready to serve any and all racers who encounter a mechanical issue while scoping out the race finale. “I got a flat two years ago while pre-riding the finish line and it really put me in a jam. All the local shops were swamped with last minute tune-ups and repairs so by the time I called, it was too late for them to help me out. As a result of that experience, we’ll have our Velofix van stocked with spare parts, tires, and tubes along with mechanics standing by ready get you rolling for Saturday. We want to keep Friday night stress free”, said Dega.

Joining Velofix in the Central Market Place on Friday will be Louis Garneau, Massey Fish, Cross Country Ski Headquarters, Joshua Tree and Cannondale bikes. Others, including; Kong Coolers, 45 Nrth and LMB will join the CMP on Saturday.

“With everything going at Timber Ridge Resort Friday, parking will be non-existent within the property so we have arranged for Blue Lakes by the Bay shuttle buses to make loops between Rasho Farm and Timber Ridge from 1:00 to 5:00 pm Friday. It’s a quick 5 minute trip and we have volunteers following the shuttles with Penske trucks for the bikes. It will operate just like the shuttles on Saturday”, said Steve Brown, event director.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy will again partner with Iceman for the official Iceman sticker. This year we’ve mirrored the theme from the Bell’s Oarsman color scheme to create the 2017 Sticker. Look for the GTRLC booth near the Trek booth and the registration table downstairs to get your stickers this year or order online at MyRaceSticker.com Proceeds from the sale help fund GTRLC initiatives like this summer’s purchase of 160 acres in Grand Traverse County

Call to Action: Mountain bike park at Sugar Loaf?

Call to Action: Mountain bike park at Sugar Loaf?

Cody Sprattmoran is working on a proposal for a mountain bike park at Sugar Loaf. Have thoughts about it?

There will be a public meeting this Friday 10/20 @ 11am at the Leelanau County Governmental Center Lower Level located at 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay MI 49682.

Can’t attend the meeting?  Send an e-mail to the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners! 

Thank you for supporting Mountain Biking!

Two Words: Beer List

Two words: Beer List

Bell’s Iceman Expo @ Grand Traverse Resort
Amber 
Oarsman 
Two Hearted 
Oatsmobile 
Winter Whitens
Kalamazoo Stout 
Porter Lager
Winter White
Two Hearted 
Double Cream Stout 
Araba 

Bell’s Iceman Timber Ridge (Friday & Saturday)
Amber
Christmas Ale
Oatsmobile
Winter White
Oarsman
Lager
Two Hearted
Porter
Best Brown
Roundhouse
Hell Hath

Bell’s Iceman Party Union Street Station
Amber
Two Hearted
Winter White
Best Brown
Lager
Kalamazoo Stout
Oarsman
Araba
LL Soura

Transfer spots still available for Bell’s Iceman, deadline Friday the 13th.

Transfer spots still available for Bell's Iceman, deadline Friday the 13th.

The 2017 Bell’s Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge has sold out again. We are looking forward to a great event and welcoming riders, new and veteran, to Traverse City. Here’s a brief refresher on the transfer process.

New Rider (Attempting to transfer in)

  1. Join Ice Society
  2. Obtain a USA Cycling account (and add that to your profile). (A USA Cycling account is free and takes about 2 minutes to obtain. Go towww.usacycling.org and in the upper-right corner look for the “sign-in” button. Choose “create account”. -You don’t need to purchase an annual license.)
  3. Sign up for the race, you’re not actually signing up but joining the “I want in” list.
  4. Once an entry becomes available from the “I want out” list, we will send you an email and you will 24 HOURS TO COMPLETE the registration process. So be sure to check your email.

 (Transferring Out)

  1. Log in to your Ice Society profile
  2. Check the Gold “Transfer” button in your profile page. Your profile will then be listed on the transfer page of the Ice Society as with an entry to sell.
  3. You will receive an $80 credit (just like buying something, only you get $ back) when your entry is taken by another participant.

**Please note all money transactions for the transfer will be handled through the Ice Society and take a few days to process.

Waited too Long to Register?? Try this raffle for a FREE Iceman entry!

Waited too Long to Register?? Try this raffle for a FREE Iceman entry!

Well, for those of you who waited TOO long and now find the race full we have some good news!

Once again just like last year we at CyclingLawyer.com are giving away entries to the 2017 ICEMAN Mountain Bike Race set for Saturday, November 4th. Easy to register. Visit our Facebook page and click to follow/ like our page then visit our website CyclingLawyer.com and at the back page enter your name and email for a chance at an entry slot. OK, so maybe you are an early bird and already signed up for this year. Well, if you should win ICEMAN says you can use your slot for 2018!!! Don’t wait any longer. The race is only 4 weeks away and the drawing will be third week of October. Clean your bike, change the tires, lube the chain and sign up NOW.

Good luck. Be well. Like (3) Dislike (1)