The Iceman Cometh

• Posted on 3 October 2023
• By KW
• 0

Set in 1912, Eugene O'Neill's stage play "The Iceman Cometh" centers around the lives of about a dozen men down on their luck, living at a boarding house, who find out that one among them may have murdered his wife.  

Wait.  That must be the wrong Wikipedia entry...

The Iceman Cometh, for those of you who haven't heard of it, is also a mountain bike race in Northern Michigan.  Running from Kalkaska to Traverse City at a distance of about 30 miles, the Iceman is the largest point-to-point MTB race, with over 5,000 riders competing.  It is one of the most fun but craziest experiences you can have on a bicycle.  With temperatures ranging from the 20s and 30s up to the 70s, and conditions ranging from mud, guts, and tears to hardpack and dusty roads, it's safe to say that this ride can throw every possible thing at you, though hopefully not at the same time.

As of this writing we are officially 30 days out from Iceman, so we thought we'd let you in on a few pointers - important things to pack, maybe a little training advice, and some nutrition thoughts for your journey.  And as you may have guessed, we are here to assist you with all of those things, including having all the supplies you'll need for it!

The Social Media Dept. is a 5-time finisher of this glorious experience.  As the saying goes, "there are competers and completers" - I am firmly in the second group.  But I've done it, and if I can do it (starting at age 50, by the way), then pretty much anyone can.  You just have to plan.  

Let's talk weather.  The first year I rode was 2014 - the one people still say was the worst conditions ever.  Sleet, snow, mud, rain, etc.  My time?  3:55.  My repair bill?  Only about 150 bucks, which was actually low compared to others who rode that day.  2016?  Sunny and 70, baby (and a full hour off my previous time).  A complete turnaround.  Fortunately we have things like weather forecasts to pay attention to.  And you should do that.  The average temperature and conditions in Northern Michigan at that time of year usually call for temps in the 30s/40s with cloudy skies and occasional rain.  The sunny and 70 was the exception to the rule!  So you'll want to make sure you have a couple different things to choose from with your wardrobe.  Think LAYERS.  Something you can unzip, remove, etc. if you get too warm.  And over the course of 30 miles, it's fairly likely that you will get warm.  Well, warmer than when you started, I guess...

How about nutrition?  What should you pack for this epic adventure?  I am personally not a big eater on the bike, but I do like gels and maybe the occasional energy drink.  Chewing an energy gummy or a protein bar just seems to use up too much energy, you know?  So I like to do some gels from Honey Stinger.  My favorites are the fruity flavors, and I also prefer the ones with no caffeine.  But thanks to our selection, you can get whatever flavor you want and yes, even some with caffeine.  We also have a full array of Infinit, Skratch, and Untapped items to choose from.  Also, if you're interested, there's always a group at the top of a fairly large climb offering riders a shot of Fireball Whiskey.  I may or may not have partaken of this treat on more than one occasion...  Your mileage may vary.

What should you look for in nutrition, though?  For some folks it's all about the sugar/caffeine boost in the middle of a ride - a gel, a chew, an energy bar.  Others go a different route - Infinit GoFar with its slower energy release and added protein for a long effort, compared to Infinit Speed for a more intense one.  Skratch Hydration is filled with great stuff to keep your fluids up, and for after the ride there's Skratch Recovery.  In the next week or two, if you're planning to ride Iceman, you should also be planning a long ride or two, and you can give one or more of these a try to see what works best for you.

One of the more challenging things to do when it's cold or otherwise unpleasant is to do the consumption of the nutrition.  I can tell you that a friend of mine basically saved my life when he loaned me his hydration pack - my water bottles in 2014 were so caked with mud that I don't think they were even operable.  A pack helps you stay hands-free as well as mud-free!  Bonus! 

Another cool little trick I learned one year was taping my gel packs to my top tube.  Wrap a little electrical tape around just the top tab that tears off to open it (I go all the way around the top tube for insurance).  When you lift the gel pack off the top tube, the tab stays taped to the bar and you can squeeze all of that deliciousness right down the hatch!  Tape them so they overlap a bit and tear off/open one at a time.

OK, time for the toughest part of the equation: apparel.  Layers, layers, layers.  Base layer first - something kind of thin but a wicking fabric.  Then, depending on weather, maybe (maybe) a second base layer, followed by your (MSBC) jersey.  Finally your outer layer.  Again something that zips and is maybe easily removed and packable.  The zipper on your jacket and your jersey will allow some air flow to cool you as needed.

Don't forget about your head!  It needs to be kept at a good temperature as well.  When it's cold outside I love a good skullcap - something that comes down over my ears and everything. 

The worst thing for me is if my hands or feet get cold.  Once that happens, it's all over!  So I have a set of shoe covers, and a couple years ago I broke down and bought some bar mitts.  I'm almost always at the right hand and foot temp in the cold weather!

Gloves, socks, and maybe some thermal tights will complete the ensemble, and you will be the best-dressed, most temperature-regulated rider you can be!

You have 30 days to figure this all out.  You can do it!  And remember, no matter how you finish, you're still lapping everyone on the couch.  Good luck!!