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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by C. McDowell
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Tuesday, 13 November 2007 |
The ICEMAN COMETH
Traverse City, MI
November 10, 2007
 I’ve been more excited about Michigan’s the Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race than sugar-fiending children for Halloween. I’ve been following this race in my home state from afar for years, hoping for the promoter to change the dates, allowing me to come home for Thanksgiving and a race on the side. No such luck. But the delayed gratification of this 28mi point-to-point beauty proved delicious Saturday morning as I woke up to shimmering frost (Greyhound Juice weather) and Terry Ritter’s famous chocolate chip pancakes. Things were already looking up and it was only 7am.
Reports rolled in from the morning’s citizens’ race—for which there are near 2,000 participants annually— that the course was FAST owing to the rainy week preceding the race and eager cyclists from all over the country chomping at the bit for one last chance to ride like hell before significant snowfall. Rumors were flying about which pros had signed up last minute. Single-speeders were swearing up and down or cursing their gear selection. The mood was jovial at the finish with lots of hooting, hollering, and back-clapping.
The women’s pro/expert field boasted quite a few top NORBA pros including Michigan’s own Kelli Emmett, who (I’m ruining the ending, I know) won yet again. Also in attendance were Heather Irmiger, Zephanie Blasi, Sara Kylander-Johnson, and local hammers Laura Webb, Jessica Woodard-Roberts and Darkhorse Racing’s fearsome twosome, Susan Schubel and Erin Vicary. So you would think with that much collective experience, half of the ladies would not have found themselves in a bike pile-up five seconds after the start. However, this was sadly the case with a friend sustaining two broken ribs. (I will note that Kerry is tough as nails for the injury did nothing to deter her from a well-earned 12th place finish.) The pace was furious, especially given that 95% of the route utilizes double track jeep trails, darting occasionally into the woods for short-lived single track sections.
The first twenty miles flew by, as all veterans had predicted, and then the rollers set in with seven miles to go as we neared Traverse City. The climbs were short but steep and sweet. Having ridden near 15miles alone at a time trial clip, I was astonished to find dense pockets of spectators after cresting a hill, the din of their cheering and chattering having been buffered by the contours of the forest. It was like riding into an instant party in the woods for a matter of seconds, only to descend away from the chaos, deafened by the silence as the trail wound on. The energy was phenomenal, and I felt especially loved by one fellow who recognized me from ‘cross and exclaimed, “She’s local! She’s local! Louder people!” Apparently, local meant I was generally from the mitten state, but who was I deny the love?
The last mile crept upon me quickly, as I had found myself thoroughly enjoying the change of pace the hills and their revelers offered from annihilating myself in the biggest gear I could push. I spotted a Gary Fisher rider just ahead of me with a posture indicative of bonking, and I couldn’t help but capitalize in the last kilometer to make up one last spot for a 16th place finish out of near 30 starters. The party at the finish was everything I had been looking forward to and I tip my hat to the Iceman Steve and his crew for putting on a wonderful race. Thanks also to the Ritter, Schubel, Collins families for their support and camaraderie— there is no way I could have tackled that race, much less enjoyed it, without you all.
Cal
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