Iceman Cometh Challenge News

Age Groupers Unite!

Making time to ride is HARD. Between work, kids, social commitments, kid’s social commitments, and you know, sleeping and eating, it can feel near impossible to make time to ride.

However, it’s important. Not just for kicking butt in your age group at Iceman but because the freedom and exercise that the bike gives you is going to make you, well, a better you, As Elle Woods famously said,”Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” All jokes aside, we want to spend more time in the woods, preferably on some single track. Here are some ways I try to make that happen without neglecting my other responsibilities:

1. Schedule it- My husband and I both race, so we split the days of the week to train. I ride Tuesdays and Thursdays after work while he hangs out with our daughter and he rides Monday and Wednesdays. That way we both know who is going to be on kid duty and who is riding. I am more likely to schedule bike dates with my friends or go on group rides as long as I know ahead of time that I will be able to ride those days. Saturday and Sunday are more flexible and usually we both get some time to ride. Our daughter is young, so we don’t have those weekend sports to work around yet! As soon as I know about a group ride, race or event I put in on the calendar so we both know about it and that way we are more likely to work together to make it happen.

2. Get the whole family involved- Often we go as a family to a trail (preferably one that has a play ground) and bring our bikes and lunch. One of us will hang out with our daughter at the play ground and one will ride then we will switch. Often my daughter will want to take her strider on the trail as well. I’m just hoping when she’s older she still thinks I’m cool enough to ride with, and that I can still keep up with her!

3. Bring it with you- If it is my day to ride and I have to drive somewhere to work I try to just bring everything with me that I need for riding. That way I can spend less time commuting and just go straight to my ride after work. Do my coworkers make fun of me for walking out of the office in cycling shorts? Sure do, but I know I look awesome to other cyclists and that’s all that matters. I also know I have a better chance of catching bedtime if I ride right after work is done.

4. Embrace the short ride- I struggle with this. Often I will just not ride if I can’t ride more than an hour, but I should! An hour or even a half hour in between other commitments counts! Make it a hard effort. Work up a sweat. It may not seem worth the hassle but hey, it might just be the highlight of your day.

5. Keep it together- Your biking gear that is. Between the bike, kit, gear, and nutrition sometimes the time it takes to get it all together in such a time suck. Now, I keep everything I need for a ride in a dedicated cycling bag. After a ride I replace whatever nonperishable nutrition I used, wash what I need to wash, throw my big computer and taillight on the chargers and when its done I put it all back in the bag. That way it’s all packed and ready to go for the next time and It’s one less barrier to getting out the door.

6. The early morning grind- Yes, everyone knows this one but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it. Sometimes the only time you have is in the early morning before the chaos of the day starts. Personally, Im not a morning person so this doesn’t work for me but I’m lucky enough to have some time to ride at other points of the day.

These tips may or may not work for everyone, they may not even work for most people but hopefully there is something helpful here you can use. Most of all when you do find time to be on the bike relish it. Enjoy it fully. Do not let the parental/work/whatever type of guilt seep through. Use this time to fill your cup so you can show up for those who need you. Embrace your time on the bike even when its hard to find that time.

Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Meg Hagerman @hagermanm

The fire that’s lit after a year out of the saddle

Last year’s Iceman I had serious FOMO. I live just a ten minute walk from the Iceman finish line at Timber Ridge and seeing all the racers and spectators roll in was hard. As badly as I wanted to be crossing that finish line, it wasn’t in the cards for me last year. But just because it wasn’t a big year on the bike for me, doesn’t mean it wasn’t a big year for me and my family.

We had been wanting to start a family since before we got married, so being pregnant in 2023 was very much so planned – I knew I would be sitting out races and I was certainly ok with that. But just like most active and fit women before they get pregnant, I had grandiose plans of staying fit, biking as long as I could, running my little heart out, and being a top-notch cheerleader for races like Iceman while pregnant. Well, as great as that sounds, it was not my reality. The INTENSE nausea, fainting, day to day sickness that came on very quickly with the start of my pregnancy threw a big ‘ol wrench in my plans. It took all of my energy for a daily walk and the occasional lifting session when I was up for it. My body hurt, I was fainting and/or puking on the regular when I tried to exercise, I got covid, the flu, shingles, I went home sick from work sooo many times, and with things in my body moving around and feeling like they weren’t where they were supposed to be (if you know you know) I couldn’t handle being on a bike seat more than 1-2x total throughout my entire pregnancy. I am clearly not good at being pregnant.

Even when Iceman rolled around, I was so disappointed in myself for not following through on my plans that I didn’t even step foot on the grounds of Timber Ridge for the crazy fun the finish line and after party is. (Silly! I know!!)

Fast forward to January 2024 when my beautiful baby boy arrived. It seemed in an instant that I forgot how hard being pregnant was for me. I wouldn’t have changed a single moment – I love this little guy more than anything and would go through it all over again a million times if I had to. They say your brain chemistry changes when the moment they place that baby on your chest. I have know idea who “they” is, but boy were they right! I want to be the best mom I can be and, without a doubt, that means I need to be the best version of me. The best version of me tends not only to my child’s needs, but mine as well. And for me that means getting back on the saddle, no matter how hard it is at first (HOLY COW getting back into shape postpartum is TOUGH) and taking care of my mind and body. Doing so will allow be to be fully present for my son. He will grow up getting to see the importance I put on human movement and taking pride in doing what makes you happy. This year of racing will look a little different for me. Whether I end up on the podium this time around or not, one thing is clear: my fire is lit and burning brighter than ever before.

See you out there fellow bad@$$ Icemamas.

A huge thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Allyson Klug @allysonklug

Martin’s Spring Training

If you only know one thing about Holland, chances are pretty good that one thing is Tulip Time. We love to celebrate our tulips here, and since 2019 I’ve hosted the Tulip Century as a way of marking the arrival of spring. We ride 100 miles on some of the best roads in the area, and when we’re done, we gaze lovingly at the giant tulip we’ve drawn via GPS on the map. And of course, the route passes through some of Holland’s Tulip Lanes on the way through town.

Spring is also my favorite time of year to do hill repeats. It’s all too often I get excited to ride outside in the sunshine only to realize that it’s 40 degrees with 80mph wind. Rather than grind around one of my regular loops feeling sorry for myself, I’ve taken to turning these into days for hill reps. It’s a great way to stay warm and motivated at the same time! Try making a game for yourself, like “how much elevation gain can I accumulate in an hour,” or “can I complete 3 reps of every hill in the neighborhood?” I’m always looking for simple goals like this to keep rides interesting-what mini riding challenges do you like to set for yourself?

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Ambassador Martin Harris @uncle.martin

Spring Training Tip

After ending a busy season on the Fat bike it usually takes me a while to transition from the Fat bike and indoor trainer season to outdoor riding on the MTB/Gravel bike. It’s my first year riding a Gravel bike and I absolutely love the opportunity to get a lot of gravel miles in on the endless Michigan dirt roads. I’m heading out my front door and the next gravel road is just around the block. A week long trip in March is always something for me to look forward to when the new season starts. I’m usually spending it “down South”, somewhere between, NC, TN and AL. This year I spent time with team mates in and around Asheville, NC and Slade, KY. It’s a great way to wake up those legs and get used to outdoor riding again, as the weather is usually nice and warm where it is still winter in Michigan. Putting in extra miles and getting a good amount of climbing in is an extra motivational boost for me to start spring training. It’s usually a great time with friends and gets my mindset back to summer riding.

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Ambassador Nina Waschenfelder @ninasmtblife

What does spring training look like?

Spring is finally here, and for many cyclists like me, that means it’s time to hit the gravel roads and trails again. After a long winter of indoor training (not a lot of fat biking this year), there’s nothing quite like getting outside and feeling the sun on your face.

This time of year, I am juggling a full work schedule with the desire to get outside on local gravel roads and single track. I like to get a couple of early season gravel races in March or April and use them as a good test for all the indoor winter training.

This year I have a spring full of gravel events that keep me motivated. Next up is Cowpie EX endurance226 miles in May, Unbound 200 in June and one my favorite ultra gravel events Michigan Coast 2 Coast in June.

I like to pick events that make you dig deep and find those dark spots that you can push through to the finish. There is something about realizing that you can find that limit and realizing you can do a lot more!

Here are some of my favorite ways and spots to ride in the spring, along with some spring-related training tips to help you make the most of your cycling season.

1. Explore local parks and trails: One of the best ways to enjoy the spring weather is to explore your local parks and trails. Here in West Michigan, we have miles of singletrack and gravel roads to explore, with some tasty bakery stops for those that end up near Smyrna, make sure to stop into Otsico Bakery (one of my favorite stops!).

2. Find a friend or join a group ride: Riding with a group can be a great way to meet other cyclists, learn new routes, and have fun. Look for local cycling clubs or groups in your area and see if they offer spring rides for riders of all levels.

3. Take on a new challenge: Spring is the perfect time to set new cycling goals for yourself. Whether it’s completing a century ride, trying a new discipline like gravel or mountain biking, or working on your speed and endurance, spring is a great time to start exploring new adventures.

4. Focus on building endurance: As the weather warms up, you can gradually increase your mileage and work on building your base fitness. Start with shorter rides and gradually add more distance as your fitness improves.

5. Incorporate interval training: Interval training is a great way to improve your cycling fitness and speed. Incorporate short bursts of high-intensity efforts into your rides to challenge your body and build your cardiovascular fitness.

6. Don’t forget about recovery: As you ramp uptraining in the spring, it’s important to give your body time to recover. Make sure to incorporate rest days into the training schedule and take care of your body with proper nutrition and hydration.

Spring is an excellent time to get back on your bike and explore the world around you. Some of the best routes are the ones we have not yet ridden. So get out there, enjoy the sunshine, and happy riding!

Thank you to our 2023 Iceman Ambassador Tobi Tungl @tobitungl

Get comfortable off the trail!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons in Michigan cycling. Everyone emerges from their winter basement “pain caves” and heads out to hit the trails. Then, there’s a damper (literally)–the trails are wet! In West Michigan, we have some sandy trails that drain well, but many of our trails are a clay base that can take weeks to dry out. Throw the “April Showers” that actually extend from March to May in the mix, and trail closures abound. Going back to the basement isa tough sell after a solid four months of trainer riding. You know what dries out fast and never closes? That’s right, road and gravel.

Spring is a great time to start getting friendly with that other bike that’s been hanging out in the garage. If you don’t have a gravel bike, never fear. I’ve found that some 42 slicks on my mountain bike adapt it to a very capable gravel rig. My favorite way to hit the road or gravel in the spring is in a group ride. The greater Grand Rapids area has an abundance of group rides come spring. It can actually become tough to choose between groups! Group riding is a great way to become acclimated to surges that you aren’t expecting. In solo training and riding, you may plan for those 1-5 minute hard efforts. However, there is something to be said for having that “option” taken out of your hands. I find I am much more comfortable racing and responding to hard segments the trail throws at me after I have spent some time having my heart rate elevated by moves I didn’t plan.

Another benefit of group riding is the social aspect. Riding with friends is always more fun! Sometimes a road ride can feel like it drags on. Usually if Igo out with a group, I am so busy chatting that I feel like I’ve only been out for forty minutes when we pull back into the parking lot.

Another aspect I appreciate about group riding is the increase in bike handling skills. While we may not be racing iceman in a pack of thirty riders, riding in a group on road or gravel is still very beneficial. Group riding lets you find the “sweet spot” of drafting, and become more comfortable with this skill that will save energy on the two track or forest road sections at Iceman.

So how do you find a group ride near you? Luckily, Facebook has made it easy as many groups will post “events”. If Facebook isn’t your jam, I recommend checking out your local bike shop. Many host a group ride, or sponsor a team that does. Your local bike shop has their finger on the pulse of local rides and is an excellent resource for you! Don’t forget to buy your gear there, too. Our local bike shops deserve our support!

Thank you to our 2023 ambassador Elaine Sheikh @elaine_muskrat

No matter what, have fun!

Probably the best piece of training advice I can give is the simplest one: at the end of the day, we’re here to have fun riding our bikes! Hopefully things go perfectly and you achieve all your goals. That’s fun for sure! But chances are not everything will go perfectly. Maybe nothing will go as planned. In that unfortunate event, just promise yourself to learn from the lessons your experience brings so you can benefit from them the following year. Then, drop your shoulders, smile, and keep going! Enjoy the scenery and revel in the exuberance of the crowds and your fellow riders. Most of all, no matter what, be nice to race organizers and officials – and no matter what, thank every volunteer you see! Without them there would be no race!

Meet the author: Kurt Schaldenbrand has been racing bicycles since 1983. He’s been a licensed coach working with competitive and developmental cyclists since 1990 and has been head coach for the University of Michigan Cycling team since 2012.

The Iceman team wants to thank Kurt Schaldenbrand for his training tips series, we hope that you learned something from it! Although this is the last installment of his training series, rest assured this won’t be the last we hear from Kurt! And don’t worry we have a lot of exciting things coming your way! For the rest of April, you can expect to meet our influencers, catch up on another episode of Rider Radio The Iceman Cometh Challenge Podcast, and get a sneak peek at the 2023 Iceman Gear! So keep your eyes on our social feeds and we will see you in the woods…

Go fast to get faster!

If improving your time is one of your goals, there’s only so much that better technical skills can do for you. For such a long event, and especially given the many long and flat (less technical) sections involved, improving your ability to just plain go faster will be key. Many riders try to improve their average speed by always “just riding hard”. While this can certainly work, you’ll usually find that interval training is a more effective method. Break your efforts into 5, 10 or 15 minute chunks and go harder than you normally would. Recover between those efforts, and then go hard again. When that gets easy (or, easier!) then either add more time, reduce your rest, or add intensity!

About the author: Kurt Schaldenbrand has been racing bicycles since 1983. He’s been a licensed coach working with competitive and developmental cyclists since 1990 and has been head coach for the University of Michigan Cycling team since 2012.

Race Day Logistics

We’ve covered before elements that make Iceman special – and sometimes complicated. It would be easy to let those elements overwhelm you and impact your day. But with proper planning ahead of time that doesn’t have to happen. Some of the important things you want to know: your packet pickup options, understanding your parking options and how you are getting to the start on time. That last item can be one of the more important ones; remember, traffic on race morning can cause delays and you want to arrive in time to get your bike prepped and do a decent warmup. Related: know your options for dropping a bag at the start so you can stay warm and take layers off just before leaving, and then have something warm waiting for you again at the end!

Iceman Cometh – 30th annual event Photography by John L. Russell Great Lakes Images

Dress for success

Clothing choices, especially clothing choices for events in possibly less than ideal conditions can make the difference between a good outcome, and a bad one. With a name like, Iceman, obviously the biggest challenge at this event is often keeping warm. If your feet and hands get cold in chillier conditions the common go-to is “thick socks, shoe covers or winter boots and cozy gloves.” While these can help, often the best bet for keeping your extremities warm is keeping your core even warmer. A good base layer – especially a wool one – is your best friend. Another key for your feet: yes, thick socks (preferably wool again!) but not TOO thick. Let your toes have some room, otherwise you’re restricting blood flow, and blood flow is what’s keeping your feet warm!