Parking & Shuttles

!!!WARNING!!! PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON HAMMOND ROAD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WILL BE THERE THIS YEAR WITH A TOWING SERVICE FOR THOSE THAT DISREGARD THE RIDICULOUS ALLOTMENT OF 'NO PARKING' SIGNS.

Friday Parking at Timber Ridge

The parking lots at Timber Ridge maybe available on Friday. Please contact Timber Ridge at 231-947-2770 for more information on cost and availability closer to to the race. You may park at Rasho Farm (at no cost) and ride your bike to Timber Ridge Resort if you want to pre-ride the last few kilometers of the race-course. Please DO NOT park at Courtade Elementary School or use their facilities. Rasho Farm is immediately south of the school.

Additionally, riding backwards to preview the course is not allowed. Two-way traffic on the race-course with single track & blind corners is asking for trouble and we want to ensure that everybody has a chance to race on Saturday. Look for our directional signs that will lead you to the Lands End Road crossing on the course and you’ll be able to ride the last 4-5 kilometers securely. Once you’ve got the lay of the course finale and are cruising through the BISSELL Celebration Zone keep your eyes open to all of the pieces coming together for the following day!

How to Get Around

Bus Transportation and more for race day

Iceman Riders have three ways to get to the start line this year. Rider drop-off, busing from Rasho Farms, and start line parking. Please note that while we have worked to improve the traffic flow getting the start line, riders should plan for extra time to ensure they are present before their wave starts.

Shuttle Times. Shuttles will begin leaving Courtade Elementary at 7am on Race Day and will leave approximately every 15-20 minutes. The last shuttle will leave Timber Ridge Resort at 6pm to either the start in Kalkaska or Courtade Elementary.

Rider Drop Off. The rider drop-off location is at the Kalkaska Road Commission Loop near the Kalkaska Airport. Riders will then bike from the loop to the start line at the Kalkaska Airport. There are no bag trucks at the Road Commission Loop so riders must port their finish line bags to the start line. Rider drop off will be well marked with signs and drivers will be provided with a map directing them to Timber Ridge Resort.

Busing for Rasho Farms. Park at Rasho Farms and then catch a bus to the start line. Each bus will be followed by its very own Penske truck transporting your bike at the same time as you! Busing is subject to traffic delays as well as additional time needed to load and unload the bus and the Penske.

Park at the Start. Improved traffic flow this year has made it easy to arrive and park at the start line. Please note that the traffic in and out of the Airport parking lot is ONE WAY. Return shuttles will be available to get back to the Start from Timer Ridge Resort.

Additional Shuttle Services. Shuttles will run from Rasho Farms to Timber Ridge Resort for Slushies and spectator a like. Returns shuttles are also available on a regular basis from Timber Ridge Resort to Rasho Farms and the Start Line.

Important Parking Reminders: Parking at Timber Ridge Resort is prohibited unless you have a permit. Parking on Hammond Road will result in your vehicle being towed. Subaru owners receive premium parking at the start and the finish, if available at the time of arrival.

Shuttles: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to Kalkaska and Timber Ridge Resort

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa will provide a shuttle bus from the Resort to Kalkaska for registered guests. The shuttle service is complimentary, just stop by the Bell Station to make your reservation. Buses will depart Grand Traverse Resort every half hour from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM arriving in Kalkaska approximately 30 minutes later.

Additionally, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa will also run a shuttle from the Resort to Timber Ridge Resort in the morning for Meijer Slush Cup riders staying at the Resort. Again, please make reservations for the shuttle with the Bell Station. The shuttle will depart Grand Traverse Resort at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM for the 15 minute trip to Timber Ridge.

For the trip back to the Grand Traverse Resort from Timber Ridge Resort, Grand Traverse Resort shuttles will begin picking up guests at 3:00 PM and will continue until 6:00 PM.

Parking at Rasho Farm

Lewis Rasho and Holly Hawkins have graciously opened up the hay fields at their family farm for a remote parking site near Timber Ridge Resort. Located 1.7 miles from Timber Ridge on Rasho Road, the farm is a very quick 5 minute shuttle bus ride to/from the venue. (See bus information on page 18.)

Our suggested route to the Rasho Farm is to take 4 Mile Rd South to Hammond. Turn east on Hammond and then continue on Hammond when the road makes a sweeping right turn. Turn left as the road becomes Supply Rd. Turn south on Rasho and the Rasho Farm is on the west side of the road just south of Courtade Elementary School

Subaru owners’ VIP Parking is back!

You asked, and Subaru listened! Owners of Subaru vehicles will once again receive special VIP parking privileges at the Kalkaska Airport start area and at the Timber Ridge Resort finish line venue.

With Subaru’s return as the Iceman’s official vehicle, Tribecas, Outbacks, Legacy’s, Impreza’s, Crosstrek’s, WRX’s, Baja’s, and even Brat’s all qualify for special parking close to all the action in Kalkaska & Timber Ridge.

In Kalkaska, the Subaru parking area will be well-marked at the new Airport location.

Experienced Bell’s Iceman riders who own a Subaru are familiar with the location of the Subaru VIP Parking Lot at Timber Ridge Resort. It is located in the northwest corner of the Timber Ridge Resort property and provides easy access to all the finish line activities.

Tow Away Zones

It is anticipated that the Grand Traverse County Road Commission will enact a temporary NO PARKING zone for the day of November 5th for the adjacent neighborhood outside of Timber Ridge Resort.

The No Parking Zone will be located on at least the following roads (and probably more):

Both sides of Hammond Road
West side of Haaland Rd
Six Mile Road from Roselawn Drive to Dogwood Drive
Both sides of Whispering Oaks
North side of Dogwood Drive.

The Grand Traverse County Road Commission shall erect and maintain appropriate signs to comply with the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to give notice of this Temporary Order. The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department will be monitoring the parking in the neighborhoods and will be issuing tickets and/or towing those not in compliance.
So, plan on parking at the Rasho Farm and don’t even consider parking in the neighborhoods just outside of Timber Ridge Resort!

Restricted Parking at Timber Ridge Resort
Slush Cup and Sno-Cone athletes and their families should park at Rasho Farm. “Every aspect of the Bell’s Iceman seems to rachet-up and intensify every year and parking is no exception”, said Steve Brown, Event Director. “Timber Ridge Resort staff has become overwhelmed with parking Slush Cup riders the very first thing Saturday morning and again later in the afternoon with the Sno-Cone riders. Yet, at the same time parking at Rasho Farm has become so easy that all athletes and spectators really only need to add ten minutes to their drive time to Timber Ridge. So we need everybody to park at Rasho Farm and ride the shuttle to Timber Ridge.”

Timber Ridge parking will be available only for handicapped parking, guests of Timber Ridge Resort and Subaru owners.

Square Photo of Packet Pick Up with Packet Pick up text and Hyperlink to Packet Pick Up information

Square Photo of Start line with Start text and Hyperlink to Start Line information

Square Photo of Finish line with Finish text and Hyperlink to Finish Line information