The Iceman Cometh again for 2015. With over 5,000 amateur and professional racers, the Iceman is undoubtedly the who’s who of mountain biking and an epic ending to any race season. It is a love/hate relationship with riders and a time of unpredictable weather. It is a test of endurance, patience and passing ability.
The WSI flag was flying strong at Iceman this year with 10 riders rolling up to the Iceman start line. For some it was their first experience. Katie Bridges raced it as a bucket list item. The result: she is already considering returning. For others, it was a return to the event. Both Matt and Kevin had not been at the start line for years. And for the rest of our WSI crew, including Charles, Keith and Dan, it was a yearly tradition that just keeps pulling them back.
The morning began beautifully. Riders were heading out from Kalkaska to Timber Ridge Resort in 2 minute increments with the sun shining and temperatures hanging at a brisk 40 degrees. The weather, however, did not disappoint Iceman enthusiasts. The rain began and along with it the sleet giving riders a brief period of face pelting reality of November Michigan weather. Although short lived, along with the rain and sleet came the clouds turning the finish party into a chilling experience.
Riders crossed the finish with smiles, excitement, and new goals for their return next year. Some even had enough umph left in them for a little finish line production (Ahem, Matt). Until next year, Iceman….
Matt joining hundreds in the starting corral
Kevin and Katie ready to race (photo courtesy of Tara Plante)
Fueled with home brewed coffee granola bars, I made the 8 hour voyage into Michigan’s better top half for my 2nd attempt at the Ore 2 Shore Mountain Bike Race.
A point to point 48 mile grind from Neguanee to Marquette, this race winds up and down and over and through iron mining towns via two track, gravel roads and long paved climbs.
Think of this race as the IceMan’s less popular, but far naughtier best friend. The one that puts out every time, but you really have to work for it.
Steady rain on Friday made the sandy sections fast and the red dusty sections muddy, providing me with 2014 IceMan flashbacks between the views of Lake Superior and Fat Bikers roaring past on the downhills.
I spent the day trading spots with IceMan legend and Bunker Hill Bikes’ Chad Schut. His 29+ Michigan made machine pulled away on the rough descents and I would pull him back one gritty miserable climbing pedal stroke at a time.
I finished the day just over 3 hours and 14 minutes, which bested my 2013 time of 3 hours and 22 minutes.
I made the drive home on Saturday reflecting on the $4 toll you pay after crossing the mighty Mackinac Bridge. Well worth the price of admission.
Dan Frayer and his traveling circus were at it again. Haven’t seen them at the races? Just look for them under the red striped tent. (Not really, but a tall bearded guy on a pink bike is not too hard to spot either!)
Traveling Circus #8
“The Hills of Grayling”
On Sunday morning, June 7th, I woke up before the sun to pick up my pal Bill G. Bill G. and I have been traveling across, around and through the state of Michigan chasing podiums since 2002 when we raced together for Western Michigan University.
It was a quality road trip spent sharing old stories and discussing pre-race jitters with the looming gray clouds in the distance.
The venue was Hanson Hills. (a big emphasis on “Hills”)
A ten mile cross country loop with fast flowing trail and long grinding climbs. The first lap was quick with me getting shelled off the back shortly after the start. I was convinced that I was the back of the pack and I was not interested in suffering for last place so I slowed things down and enjoyed the trail. At the start of lap number 3 (yes, 3 laps, 10 miles each + 30 painful mountain bike miles) another rider came from behind. I saw his race number was close to mine and I quickly realized I was not in last place. This gave me a rush of motivation and I pushed myself as the rain starting making the trail a bit slick in spots.
I managed to keep the bike upright for a 9th place finish out of 12 in the expert 30-39 class
The Fort Custer Stampede is a favorite for many WSI riders for many reasons; one being that it is home turf. Being close to home means racing with your bike family (everyone you ride and train with), seeing those familiar faces from the trails, and knowing the course like the back of your hand. This year the event took place on Sunday, May 2nd and the weather was perfect!
As a part of this event, WSI headed up a food tent for racers and their families to be able to have a grilled burger, hot dog, chips and water while at the event. Providing over 500 servings of burgers and hot dogs combined definitely took a community effort! With a combination of donations from Home Depot of Plainwell for charcoal, Bandeen Orthodontics and Team Active for food and water no one left hungry! For the second year in a row we also rounded up goodwill donations for an amazing program, the Hot Wheels Bike Shop. The Hot Wheels Bike Shop is an program that teaches middle school students team building and practical skills while also learning how to fix up bikes. At the end of the program each student gets their own bike. The program is taught at Battle Creek Public Schools by one of our WSI riders, Dan Frayer. We raised over $650 for the program, allowing them money to buy much needed bike stands!
On to the racing……
WSI had 14 riders participating in the Stampede ranging from 5 y/o to 50+! Peyton Elder and Jacob Goff took on the Beginner challenge for the 10 and under age group. Jacob improved his time dramatically from last year and it was Peyton’s first year racing with the “big boys”. The boys finished 31 seconds apart with Jacob coming in at 1:28:59 and Peyton at 1:29:30. Not too shabby for a couple of 7 year olds!
Also riding beginner were Dilan Goff, who placed 2nd in the 11-14 a/g and David Goff Sr.
The sport class was full of WSI riders and great competition! Kellie Kramer raced Stampede for the first time and loved it, placing 2nd in her a/g. Keith Wilkinson, Stacy Rainey, and Dave Cobeen also rode sport. And we cannot forget the sport class fat tire riders Dan Frayer and Dwight Denisuik. Once again, Danimal Frayer (as Dwight is lovingly referring to him as) inched his way past Dwight with a 6th place finish at 1:32:34. Dwight was a mere 1 second behind with a 7th place finish at 1:32:35. Dwight is determined to beat Dan by the end of the season and the gap is closing!
Racing expert were Matt Gaffner and Charles Elder. Matt decided he was not quite ready to hang with the expert boys yet and is highly considering sport for next year. He may not realize there is a rule about not turning back once you go expert. Charles chose expert so he had time to finish and be able to ride with Peyton in the beginner race. He knew he was out of his league but put his best pedal forward and rode hard.
Overall, it was a successful day on the course and on the grill! For more great pictures of the event check out our Fort Custer Stampede photo album on Facebook. While you’re there, make sure to “LIKE” our page.
The Lowell 50 is a classic gravel road race that covers the countryside of Lowell, Michigan including a unique covered bridge. It offers both a 34 mile and 57 mile option. The event took place on Saturday, April 11th and WSI was well represented by Andy, Paddi, Danny and the Bridges family.
Kevin getting ready for the start of the 57 mile race
Kevin was the only brave sole to tackle the 57 mile challenge hoping that he would have logged some miles by this point in the race season. Mysteriously throughout the looped course he always seemed to be encountering a head-wind. After he split with the 37 mile course it became flat (still windy) farmland and he partnered up with another rider, who coincidentally was an Ironman as well. His realization of the day: the bike was great, the motor still needs some work!
Paddi, racing single speed, enjoyed her ride alongside Andy. She came in 9th overall for the women although the results grouped her with the men since she was the ONLY FEMALE SINGLE SPEED! Rock on, Paddi! Their biggest excitement of the day was a fat tire blowout right next to them that had them thinking they were being shot at.
Katie’s brand new PINK TREK
Both Katie and Scott placed 4th in their age group. It must run in the family. Whether the ride was windy or not, Katie was going to enjoy it. She had a brand new pink ride from Team Active! Scott is working his way up the ranking in racing this year and is enjoying the learning moments. For this particular race he experienced working with a pack of riders as a team to push each other through.
Katie and Scott
Danny improved his time from last year by 20 minutes, finishing with a time of 1:46 and taking 7th in his age group. There are some wicked fast riders in that group!
All-in-all it was a beautiful, sunny, WINDY day for a race!
