The Iceman Cometh (Again) to Traverse City This Weekend

From top: bikers with broken equipment sometimes carry their mounts across finish; teams from across North America compete.

            If you’re headed north this weekend, and enjoy mountain biking, you might just want to steer those handlebars toward Traverse City to experience, either from a saddle, or as a ground spectator, the largest one-day bicycle race in the world.

             The Iceman Cometh Challenge, now in its 21^st year, is a 27-mile point-to-point race, meaning it starts in one spot (in this case, downtown Kalkaska), and ends at another (in this case, Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, in the hills above Grand Traverse Bay’s East Arm).

            And if you’re doubting that world’s largest-claim, look at the numbers: more than 4,000 riders individual and in teams, from across North America, will put the pedal to the mud, snow, leaves, or whatever’s on the ground Saturday (some years it’s been all three).

            This used to be a morning event. However it’s grown so big, that there are now two starts for the full race. Amateur riders push off at 9:30 a.m., while pro teams and individuals leave Kalkaska at 2:30 p.m.

            This is not only a race for the pros. If you’re of a mind, grab your Schwinn and roll off in the Slush Cup, an 8-mile fun race that’ll take you up and down the tree-covered hills near the finish line, starting at 9 a.m. It’s a fun event that the kids will  love, too, as much of the Slush Cup field is comprised of youngsters.

            For the really wee ones, the Meijer Sno Cone race, for kids aged 12 and under, gets underway from Timber Ridge at 3 p.m., on a short (quarter-mile) loop.

            However, if you want to participate, you’ll have to wait until next year for either fun race, plus the 27-miler, as all spots are spoken for. Registration starts in spring at the Web site, www.iceman.com.

            The evening before, head to Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for the accompanying Ice Cycle Expo to see the latest in cycling gear, bicycles, bike racks, and more.

            Then, if you didn’t sign up and chose to spectate rather than participate, grab a spot near the track in the woods in and around the finish as the racers tear around the approach, whipsawing back and forth through the trees with such skill you’ll be amazed that a bike can do what these skilled riders manage to put their mounts through.

            Following the races, the finish line becomes one big party site as spectators welcome those who finished without too many flat tires or bent equipment, beginning at 10 a.m. There will be music, food, and beverages, both adult and otherwise, to slake the thirsts of cyclists and their support groups, along with spectators.

            If you’re going, be ready for any kind of weather. Dress for cold, and be sure to bring wet weather gear just in case. If you’re participating, take it from one who’s done the Slush Cup at least: the entire event is a blast, and crossing that finish line to the cheers of folks who don’t know you from Gary Fisher (a pro racer who’s been credited with beginning the sport of mountain biking), plus your friends, is something you need to experience.

            For more information, go to iceman.com, or go to www.visittraversecity.com.